Worried About Where Your Food Comes From? Let's Talk About What's on Your Plate.

Worried About Where Your Food Comes From? Let's Talk About What's on Your Plate.

Organic. Free-range. Locally grown. Farm fresh. We see these words on grocery store shelves, restaurant menus, product labels, and advertisements every day. But what do they actually mean? And with food safety headlines making the news, how can you feel confident about the food you bring home to your family?

At Piedmont Fresh, we believe you deserve more than a label and a promise. You deserve to understand where your food comes from, how it's produced, and what those words on the package really mean.

We're a local food hub connecting our community with regional farmers and food producers. Transparency is a priority in that work. We want our shoppers to know who is behind their food, and we take producer requirements, applicable certifications, and documentation seriously.

Let's break down some of the most common food labels, talk about food safety, and explore why knowing your food's story matters.

What Do Those Food Labels Actually Mean?

Walk through a grocery store, and you'll find plenty of products marketed as organic, free-range, pasture-raised, natural, or locally grown. These terms can sound similar, but they don't all mean the same thing.

Understanding the differences helps you make informed choices based on what matters most to you.

Organic: What Does It Really Mean?

The USDA organic label refers to food produced according to specific federal organic standards. These standards address how crops and livestock are produced, including soil management, biodiversity, permitted substances, and restrictions on certain production practices.

For example, certified organic crop production follows rules governing which fertilizers and pest-control substances may be used. Organic livestock production has requirements for animal feed, living conditions, and access to the outdoors, among other standards.

But here's an important distinction: organic does not automatically mean pesticide-free, and it does not guarantee that food is free from harmful bacteria or parasites. Organic producers must follow their applicable standards, but food safety remains important regardless of how a product was grown.

Organic certification is meaningful because it provides a defined set of standards that producers must meet. It is not a guarantee that a food product is risk-free.

You can learn more from the USDA's Organic Certification and Labeling resources.

Free-Range: Does That Mean What You Think?

Free-range is a term commonly associated with poultry and eggs, but the details matter.

For poultry products regulated by the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service, a free-range claim must be supported by documentation about how the birds are raised, including their access to the outdoors.

However, free-range is not interchangeable with organic or pasture-raised. It doesn't automatically tell you everything about an animal's diet, the amount of time it spends outdoors, or every aspect of its living conditions.

The best approach is to look beyond the words on the package and learn what standards support the claim.

The USDA explains how animal-raising claims are substantiated in its guidance on animal-raising and environmental labeling claims.

Pasture-Raised, Natural, and Locally Grown

These are other terms shoppers frequently encounter, and each deserves a closer look.

Pasture-raised generally describes an animal-raising practice involving pasture access, but the exact meaning and verification depend on the claim and the standards supporting it. Don't assume that pasture-raised and free-range mean identical things.

Natural can have a specific meaning under certain food-labeling rules, but it does not automatically mean organic, locally produced, or raised using a particular farming method.

Locally grown tells you something about a product's geographic origin. It doesn't, by itself, establish whether the product is organic, whether a farm uses a particular growing practice, or whether a product has been independently certified.

That's why transparency matters. These terms can provide useful information, but they aren't substitutes for understanding the producer and the practices behind the product.

When Food Safety Headlines Make You Question What's Safe to Eat

It's hard not to feel concerned when a food safety alert appears in the news. Fresh produce is an important part of a healthy diet, but contamination can happen at different points along the food supply chain.

In 2026, a major multistate outbreak of cyclosporiasis was linked to iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico. According to the CDC's final outbreak update, the outbreak involved 12,883 reported cases across 21 states, 570 hospitalizations, and two deaths. The CDC declared the outbreak over on September 11, 2026, and the FDA closed its investigation on October 2.

The illness was caused by Cyclospora, a microscopic parasite that can spread through contaminated food or water. Previous U.S. outbreaks have also been associated with different types of fresh produce.

So, what does this mean for shoppers?

It means food safety deserves attention. It does not mean you should be afraid of every salad, fresh vegetable, or piece of fruit you eat.

Food contamination can occur during growing, harvesting, processing, handling, or distribution. Knowing where food comes from and how it moves through the supply chain can help people ask informed questions, but no single label or purchasing decision can eliminate every risk.

What Does Transparency Look Like at Piedmont Fresh?

We know that shoppers have choices. You can visit a grocery store, shop online, buy directly from a farm, or choose from many other sources of food.

What we want you to understand about Piedmont Fresh is that our work goes beyond putting local products in one convenient place.

As a food hub, we connect regional farmers and food producers with the people who want to buy their products. We take producer requirements seriously and work to ensure that the appropriate certifications, documentation, and other requirements are addressed for the products we offer.

Different products and operations have different requirements. A vegetable grower, a dairy producer, and a meat processor don't necessarily follow the same certification or regulatory process. We believe those differences matter, and responsible sourcing means understanding what applies rather than treating every product as if it follows identical rules.

We also believe in being honest about what a label does and doesn't tell you.

We don't want shoppers to assume that every product is certified organic if it isn't, or that every producer follows identical growing practices. We want you to be able to learn about the people behind the products and make choices that fit your needs and values.

Transparency isn't about claiming that food is perfect or that risks never exist. It's about asking questions, understanding the standards, taking responsibility seriously, and being willing to have honest conversations.

That's the kind of relationship we want to build with our producers and our community.

How to Protect Yourself When Preparing Fresh Produce

Whether you buy from Piedmont Fresh, a grocery store, a farm stand, or your own backyard garden, safe food handling is important.

The CDC and FDA recommend several everyday practices that can help reduce food safety risks:

• Wash your hands. Use soap and water before and after handling fresh produce.

• Rinse fruits and vegetables under clean, running water. Wash produce before eating, cutting, or peeling it.

• Scrub firm produce. Use a clean produce brush for items such as cucumbers and melons.

• Avoid washing produce with soap or bleach. These products are not recommended for cleaning fruits and vegetables.

• Keep food preparation surfaces clean. Wash cutting boards, utensils, and countertops, and keep raw meat separate from produce that will be eaten uncooked.

• Follow food safety alerts. If an official recall or warning applies to a product you have, follow the instructions provided by public health authorities.

One important note about Cyclospora: rinsing produce is a good food safety practice, but it may not reliably remove this particular parasite. That's why washing should be combined with attention to official food safety alerts and recall instructions.

For more guidance, visit the FDA's Selecting and Serving Produce Safely resource and the CDC's Cyclospora prevention guidance.

You Deserve to Know the Story Behind Your Food

At Piedmont Fresh, we believe a stronger local food system starts with relationships built on trust.

Our farmers and food producers work hard to grow, raise, and create products for our community. Our role as a food hub is to help connect their work with the people who want to support them while taking producer requirements and transparency seriously.

You shouldn't have to become a food-label expert to ask where your food comes from. You should be able to ask questions, understand the claims being made, and feel informed about the choices you make for yourself and your family.

So the next time you see the words organic, free-range, pasture-raised, or locally grown, take a moment to learn what they mean. Ask questions. Look for reliable information. And remember that supporting local food is about more than a label. It's about building relationships with the people who help feed our community.

At Piedmont Fresh, we're rooted in community and growing together, one connection at a time.

Ready to discover local products and the producers behind them?

Visit piedmontfresh.com to explore what's available through our food hub and support the regional farmers and food producers who help nourish our community.

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Don't Just Take Our Word for It. Come Meet Your Farmers!

Still have questions about where your food comes from? We invite you to see for yourself!

At the Davidson County Local Food Network, we host our annual Davidson County Farm Tour to connect our community directly with the farmers and producers who help feed it. Our next Farm Tour is planned for May, and it's an opportunity to go beyond the grocery store shelves and see what local agriculture really looks like.

Meet the farmers. Visit their farms. Ask questions. Learn where your food is grown, how it's harvested, how animals are raised, and how food products make their way from the farm to your table. Depending on the participating farm, you may even learn about the processes involved in meat production and processing.

We believe transparency starts with connection. There's a difference between reading a label and having the opportunity to talk directly with the people responsible for producing your food.

Farming takes hard work, knowledge, and care. Our Farm Tour helps shine a light on that work while giving consumers a better understanding of the people, practices, and places behind local food.

We don't want you to support local farms simply because we tell you to. We want you to understand who you're supporting and why it matters.

So if you've ever wondered how your food is grown, where it comes from, or what happens before it reaches your plate, join us for our next Farm Tour in May!

Keep an eye on davidsoncountyfood.com for updates and opportunities to get involved.

Come curious. Ask questions. Get to know your farmers. 🌱

What Happens When a Community Loses a Farm?

What Happens When a Community Loses a Farm?

Why Supporting Local Farms Matters More Than You Think

When a local farm closes, the loss extends beyond the fields, barns, and crops. A community can lose a source of fresh food, a local business, agricultural knowledge, and an important connection to the land.

Farms are an essential part of a thriving local food system. They help keep agricultural land in production, provide food for nearby communities, create opportunities for local spending, and preserve knowledge that can be passed down to future generations. When local farms have the opportunity to grow and succeed, the benefits can reach far beyond their property lines.

But running a farm is not easy. Farmers face rising operating costs, unpredictable weather, labor challenges, limited marketing resources, and the ongoing work of finding customers for what they grow or produce. Even farms producing excellent products can struggle to reach the people who want to buy them.

That is where community support makes a difference.

A Farm Is More Than a Business

Local farms contribute to the character, economy, and resources of the communities around them.

When people purchase from local farms, more of their food spending can circulate through the local economy. Farmers can use that income to cover operating expenses, purchase supplies, maintain equipment, and continue producing food. Local farms may also support other area businesses and create opportunities for agricultural employment.

Keeping farms viable also helps preserve agricultural land and the knowledge required to grow food. Farming experience, growing techniques, and an understanding of local conditions are valuable resources that develop over time.

Local farms also help connect communities to their food. They provide opportunities for people to learn where food comes from, understand the work behind its production, and build relationships with the people who grow it.

Supporting local farms is an investment in the future of local agriculture.

Local Farms Help Strengthen Food Access

A strong local food system needs farms that can continue producing food and customers who can access it.

When local farms can successfully grow and sell their products, communities have more opportunities to source food close to home. Local production can contribute to a more diverse food supply and provide additional options for residents, retailers, food access programs, and community organizations.

Local food does not automatically make food affordable or accessible to everyone. Transportation, pricing, distribution, and availability still matter. That is why strengthening the local food system involves more than simply growing food. It also means building connections that help food reach the people who need it.

At Davidson County Local Food Network (DCLFN), improving access to locally grown food is an important part of the mission. Through initiatives such as Piedmont Fresh and other community food programs, DCLFN works to strengthen the connections between local producers and the people and organizations they serve.

Helping Farms Find Their Customers

Sometimes, a farm does not need another person telling them how important agriculture is. They need customers.

They need people to discover their products, learn where they are located, understand what they offer, and know how to purchase from them. They may need help getting their name in front of a new audience or connecting with people who are actively looking for local food.

Promoting local farms is one way DCLFN helps strengthen these connections.

Through farm features, website resources, social media, community outreach, and other promotional opportunities, DCLFN works to increase visibility for local agriculture and help connect farms with potential customers.

The goal is not simply to talk about supporting local farms. It is to help people take the next step toward doing it.

When someone discovers a farm through a feature, follows its updates, visits its website, purchases its products, or shares its information with a friend, that connection can create new opportunities for the farm.

Local farms deserve to be seen, discovered, and supported.

Why Local Farmers Markets Matter

This is also why DCLFN values its connections with local farmers markets throughout Davidson County.

Farmers markets create opportunities for farmers to bring their products directly to the community, meet customers, build relationships, and introduce people to what they grow and produce. They also give residents a chance to discover local farms, ask questions, and develop a better understanding of where their food comes from.

These connections matter. A farmers market is more than a place to purchase fresh food. It is a space where local agriculture becomes visible, relationships begin, and community support can translate into meaningful opportunities for farmers.

By staying connected to farmers markets and the people who make them possible, DCLFN helps strengthen the network of relationships that supports local agriculture. Promoting farms, sharing information about local food opportunities, and helping customers discover area producers all contribute to a stronger local food system.

We believe supporting local farms takes a community effort. That means encouraging people to visit farmers markets, discover new producers, and continue supporting the farms that help keep agriculture thriving in Davidson County.

Working Together to Create More Opportunities for Farmers

Supporting local agriculture means recognizing that no single organization can do everything on its own. Building a stronger local food system requires collaboration, shared resources, and a willingness to help farmers find opportunities wherever they may be.

That is why DCLFN also collaborates with other food hubs and organizations working to strengthen local food systems. By sharing information, promoting producers, and helping connect farmers with additional resources, we can work together to create more opportunities for local agriculture to thrive.

Sometimes, helping a farmer means introducing them to a new audience. Other times, it means helping them discover another way to sell their products.

Through Piedmont Fresh, DCLFN's online food hub, eligible producers may have an additional opportunity to reach customers and generate income from their farm products. For farmers already selling through farmers markets, farm stands, or other outlets, an additional sales channel can provide another way to connect with buyers and diversify how they earn revenue.

These partnerships are not about competing with other organizations or replacing the ways farmers already sell their products. They are about finding ways to work together, expand opportunities, and help producers reach more people.

When food hubs, farmers markets, community organizations, and local producers collaborate, they help create a more connected local food system. That collaboration can benefit farmers, give customers more ways to discover local food, and strengthen the communities that depend on local agriculture.

We believe there is room for all of us to work together toward the same goal: helping local farms succeed and keeping agriculture an important part of our communities.

You Can Help More Than You Realize

Supporting local agriculture does not require owning land, growing your own food, or making every grocery purchase locally.

It can start with a few simple actions:

• Discover farms in your area and learn what they offer.

• Volunteer at the farmers markets or Piedmont Fresh

• Purchase directly from local producers when it works for your household.

• Share a farm's website, social media page, or product information with someone who might be interested.

• Attend farmers markets, farm events, and agritourism activities when available.

• Encourage local businesses and community organizations to build relationships with area farms.

• Help spread the word when a local farm is looking for customers.

Visibility matters. A recommendation, a shared post, or a new customer can help introduce a farm to someone who might otherwise never have discovered it.

Every farm has a story, but every farm also has products, services, and a business that needs to reach people.

Every Connection Can Make a Difference

At DCLFN, we believe a thriving local food system starts with supporting the people who make it possible. That means helping farms gain visibility, connecting producers with potential customers, collaborating with farmers markets and other food hubs, and sharing opportunities that can help farms grow.

Through Piedmont Fresh, eligible producers may find another avenue for selling their products and generating income. Through our community partnerships, farm promotions, and agricultural events, we work to help people discover local farms and learn more about what they offer. We also share resources and opportunities, including farm funding information, workshops, and events that can help producers build connections and reach new audiences.

We recognize that farmers already have an incredible amount of work to do. Between growing food, caring for animals, managing expenses, maintaining equipment, finding customers, and planning for the next season, running a farm requires an enormous amount of time and dedication.

DCLFN cannot do that work for them, and we cannot guarantee that every opportunity will lead to more sales or solve every challenge. Our role is to help where we can, whether that means sharing a farm's story, connecting a producer with a potential sales outlet, pointing them toward a grant opportunity, or helping them get their name out into the community.

Ultimately, our hope is that these connections and resources help farms become more sustainable, build lasting customer relationships, and continue thriving on their own. When farms are better positioned to succeed, the benefits extend throughout the community through local economic activity, agricultural land preservation, and greater opportunities to access locally grown food.

Know a Farm That Could Use Some Support? Don't Look the Other Way.

If you know a local farm that is struggling to reach customers, looking for additional income opportunities, or simply unsure where to turn for support, please send them our way.

Visit Davidson County Local Food Network to explore our resources and learn more about opportunities that may be available. Farmers can find information about grant funding, workshops, farm promotion opportunities, and events such as farm tours that can help introduce their operations to new audiences. Eligible producers can also explore Piedmont Fresh as a potential additional channel for selling their products.

You don't have to be a farmer to make a difference. Sometimes, helping is as simple as sharing our website with someone who could benefit from it.

We may not be able to solve every problem a farm faces, but we can help make connections, share opportunities, and open doors where possible.

When you see a local farm struggling, don't turn away. Help them find their next opportunity.

Because when we help our farms succeed, we help strengthen our local economy, protect our agricultural heritage, support our environment, and build a more connected local food system for everyone.

DCLFN: Who We Are & Why We Do What We Do

Who We Are & Why We Do What We Do

When we talk about local food, we’re talking about more than what ends up on your plate.

We’re talking about the farmer who grew it. The family trying to put fresh food on the table. The farmers market where neighbors gather on Saturday morning. The small food business building something from the ground up. And the connections that make all of those pieces work together.

That’s where the Davidson County Local Food Network comes in.

So, Who Is DCLFN?

The Davidson County Local Food Network (DCLFN) is a nonprofit organization working to strengthen the local food system throughout Greater Davidson County.

Our mission is to strengthen access to affordable, locally grown food by connecting farmers and community partners to build a healthy regional food system.

Our vision is a community where farmers thrive and everyone has abundant, reliable access to locally grown and locally made food.

We often sum it up with one simple idea:

Healthy Farmers = Healthy People = Healthy Community

Because all three are connected.

Why Does Local Food Matter?

A strong local food system doesn't happen automatically.

Farmers need customers, resources, connections, and opportunities to grow their businesses. Community members need ways to find local food and understand where they can purchase it. Families need affordable options. Farmers markets and small food businesses need community support. Organizations need information to understand where gaps in our food system still exist.

Our role is to help connect those pieces.

Sometimes that work is highly visible, like a farmers market, Farm Tour, Local Food Guide, or community event.

Other times, it happens behind the scenes through partnerships, education, data collection, farmer support, food access initiatives, and conversations about what our community needs next.

Supporting the People Who Grow Our Food

Local farms are businesses, livelihoods, family legacies, and an important part of Davidson County's identity.

DCLFN works to support beginning farmers while also helping established farms find opportunities to grow, reach new customers, and strengthen their businesses.

We also encourage responsible and sustainable agricultural practices that help protect the long-term health and resilience of our farms and local food system.

When local farms succeed, more locally grown food can stay within our community.

Making Local Food Easier to Find

One of the biggest challenges with shopping locally is simply knowing where to go.

That's why connecting consumers with producers is such an important part of our work.

Through resources like our Local Food Guide, community outreach, farm events, farmers markets, and educational programming, we help residents discover farms, farm stands, markets, local food businesses, and other opportunities to shop locally.

And through Piedmont Fresh, an initiative of DCLFN, we're building another connection between local producers and the people who want to support them.

Piedmont Fresh: Rooted in Community. Growing Together.

Piedmont Fresh connects farmers, food producers, and consumers as part of a vibrant regional food system.

Whether you're looking for fresh produce for your family, locally made products, seasonal ingredients, or food grown closer to home, Piedmont Fresh helps make those connections easier.

But Piedmont Fresh is about more than selling food.

Every local purchase represents a connection between a producer and a customer, with more dollars circulating within our regional food economy.

Supporting Our Farmers Markets

DCLFN is also proud to support the farmers markets serving Davidson County.

The Lexington Farmers Market and Thomasville Farmers Market give farmers and local makers opportunities to sell directly to their communities while giving residents access to fresh, locally produced food.

These markets also play an important role in food access. Programs such as SNAP/EBT and available incentive programs can help make fresh local food more accessible to families throughout our community.

Farmers markets are also something harder to measure. They are gathering places.

They're places to meet the people growing your food, discover something new, bring your kids, ask questions, and reconnect with the agricultural community around us.

Helping People Experience Agriculture

Sometimes the best way to understand why local agriculture matters is to experience it firsthand.

Programs and events such as the Davidson County Farm Tour give community members an opportunity to step onto local farms, meet farmers, learn how food is grown and raised, and see the work that goes into agriculture.

That connection matters.

When you know the person behind your food, “shop local” becomes more than a slogan.

It becomes personal.

Growing Food Knowledge

Building a healthy food system also means giving people the knowledge and resources to participate in it.

DCLFN supports community and home vegetable gardening efforts throughout Davidson County, including partnerships and conversations surrounding community gardens, youth education, gardening skills, and opportunities for residents to grow food at home.

Not everyone has acres of land, and they don't need them.

A backyard garden, raised bed, community plot, or even a container of vegetables can help someone learn more about food, seasonality, agriculture, and self-sufficiency.

Understanding Our Local Food System

Some of our most important work isn't something you'll see at an event. DCLFN also collects and analyzes information about Davidson County's food system.

That includes information surrounding farmers markets, Farm Tour participation, farms selling directly to consumers, community gardens, commercial kitchens, food pantries, and businesses sourcing or selling local products.

Why?

Because we can't strengthen our local food system if we don't understand it.

Data helps us identify gaps, recognize opportunities, measure progress, and make better decisions about where our community's resources and partnerships can make the greatest impact.

It Takes a Community

DCLFN isn't the farmer.

We're not the farmers market.

We're not the family shopping for vegetables.

We're not the organization fighting food insecurity.

We're not the restaurant looking for local ingredients.

We're the network connecting them.

Our work depends on farmers, producers, residents, businesses, nonprofits, local leaders, volunteers, community organizations, and people who simply decide that supporting local food matters.

Every connection strengthens the network.

Every farmer supported matters.

Every person who discovers a local producer matters.

Every family that gains better access to fresh food matters.

And every dollar spent locally has the opportunity to support the people and businesses that make our community what it is.

Why We Do What We Do

Because we want farmers to thrive.

Because we want local food businesses to grow.

Because we want families to know where their food comes from.

Because fresh, locally grown food should be accessible.

Because Davidson County has an agricultural community worth protecting, supporting, and celebrating.

And because when we invest in the people who grow our food, we invest in the health and future of our entire community.

Healthy Farmers = Healthy People = Healthy Community.

That is who we are.

And that is why we do what we do.

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How Can YOU Help?

Building a stronger local food system takes all of us. Whether you have time to give, want to support our work financially, or simply want to become more involved in local food, there are ways you can help.

Donate

As a nonprofit organization, donations help DCLFN continue our work supporting local farmers, improving food access, providing community education, and strengthening our local food system.

Every contribution helps us continue building connections between farmers, food, and the people of our community.

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Volunteer at the Food Hub

You can also make a difference by giving your time.

Volunteers at the Piedmont Fresh Food Hub help us with the hands-on work that keeps local food moving through our community. Volunteer opportunities may include helping pack and prepare food, assisting with food access programs, and supporting other Food Hub activities.

It's a great way to see the local food system in action while directly supporting the farmers and community members who are part of it.

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Support Local

Helping doesn't always mean donating money or volunteering.

Shop from local farmers. Visit our farmers markets. Choose locally grown and locally made products when you can. Attend community events. Tell your friends about a farm you love. Share our resources. Learn where your food comes from.

Small choices can make a meaningful difference.

When you support local food, you're helping create more opportunities for farmers, strengthening our local economy, and helping build a food system that can continue serving our community for years to come.

Donate. Volunteer. Shop Local. Spread the Word.

There is a place for everyone in our local food network.