Work

Promoting health through transdisciplinary local food system partnerships: Insights from the North Carolina Local Food Council

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: The North Carolina Local Food Council (NCLFC) brings together leaders from diverse sectors to strengthen local and regional food systems, promote equitable local food access, and drive economic growth. The NCLFC’s Community Health Working Group advances community health by integrating local food systems into health and wellness interventions through effective partnerships. In this reflective essay, we describe the NCLFC’s approach to identifying statewide priorities to support local and regional food systems while emphasizing community health and well-being, and share insights, strategies, and lessons learned from the Community Health Working Group, focusing on a case study from the NC Medicaid 1115 Waiver Healthy Opportunities Pilots (HOPs). Our two-year collaboration yielded valuable insights, particularly regarding member engagement challenges and the need for standardized guidelines to integrate local food into health initiatives. Efforts to embed local food within health and healthcare systems necessitate fostering cross-sector partnerships, dismantling barriers, and defining clear roles, all of which are within the scope of the local food policy councils throughout the state. We hope our experiences and lessons learned will guide other states considering Medicaid 1115 waivers. Future efforts should focus on comprehensive, bottom-up strategies that foster transdisciplinary partnerships and drive structural improvements toward healthier, more sustainable food systems.

Source: Journal of Agriculture Food Systems and Community Development

DOI: 10.5304/jafscd.2025.143.018