Funding Freeze Impacting Food Network

Special Message: Funding Freeze Impacting Our Local Food Network

Recent freezes in federal funding have placed a heavy strain on the Davidson County Local Food Network and the farmers and food access programs it supports. As of now, our funding remains frozen.

While we received our December reimbursement in February, we are still waiting for our January reimbursement—with only limited reimbursements allowed through January 19th. This delay puts unnecessary pressure on local farmers, food distributors, and community organizations that rely on these funds to keep our local food system thriving.

Why This Matters

A strong local food system ensures that:
✅ Farmers get paid fairly and on time.
✅ Local families have access to fresh, nutritious food.
✅ Regional food economies remain resilient and sustainable.

With funding stalled, these vital systems are at risk. We need action NOW to unfreeze USDA funding and support our local food community.

Take Action: Call Your Representatives!

Help us get this funding back on track by contacting US Secretary of Agriculture Rollins and your congressional representatives. Your voice can make a difference in ensuring that the USDA honors its contracts with farmers and nonprofits.

📞 Secretary of Agriculture Rollins

• (833) ONE-USDA

• (202) 720-7100

• Email: AgSec@usda.gov

📍 Find Your Representatives:
🔗 https://www.usa.gov/elected-officials

What to Say: Sample Call Script

"Hello, my name is [Your Name], and I live in [Your City/State]. I’m calling to express my concern about the continued freeze on USDA funding, which is negatively impacting farmers, food access programs, and local food networks like ours in Davidson County. These funds are essential for keeping our food system running and ensuring that small farms and food distribution programs can continue their work. I urge [Representative’s Name] to take immediate action to unfreeze these critical funds and honor USDA contracts with farmers and nonprofits. Thank you.”

📢 If leaving a voicemail, be sure to include your full street address so your call is officially counted. If DC office mailboxes are full, call your representative’s local office in your state.

Our Local Food System Needs You!

Federal funding delays shouldn’t threaten the hard work of local farmers and food advocates. By raising our voices, we can help ensure a sustainable, fair, and thriving local food economy for everyone.

Thank you for taking action!
#PiedmontFresh #SupportLocalFarmers #UnfreezeFunding #LocalFoodMatters #TakeAction

Understanding Egg Labels

Understanding Egg Labels: Cage-Free, Free-Range, and Pasture-Raised

If you've ever compared eggs from a local farmer to those from the supermarket, you’ve likely noticed the difference in flavor, richness, and color. Fresh, locally sourced eggs often have deeper golden yolks, richer taste, and higher nutritional value. But beyond taste, you may have come across different terms describing how the hens that lay these eggs are raised. Understanding these labels can help you make informed choices when purchasing eggs.

Cage-Free

Cage-free eggs come from hens that are not confined to the traditional battery cages commonly used in large-scale commercial egg production. Instead, these hens are housed in indoor facilities where they can move more freely, stretch their wings, and exhibit some natural behaviors. However, they may still be in crowded conditions and not necessarily have access to the outdoors.

Free-Range

Free-range eggs come from hens that have some level of outdoor access. However, the quality and duration of that access can vary greatly depending on the farm. Some free-range systems provide only small pop-out doors with limited space outside, meaning the birds may not spend much time outdoors. Still, free-range conditions typically allow for more movement and natural behaviors than cage-free environments.

Pasture-Raised

Pasture-raised eggs come from hens that spend most of their time outdoors on open pasture, where they can forage for insects, grasses, and other natural food sources. This more natural diet contributes to higher nutritional content in the eggs, including more omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins. The yolks of pasture-raised eggs tend to have a vibrant golden color and a richer flavor, making them a favorite among chefs and home cooks alike.

Choosing the Best Eggs

While all three of these systems offer improvements over traditional caged environments, pasture-raised eggs are the closest to a hen’s natural way of living. If you’re looking for the most nutritious and flavorful eggs, sourcing them from a local farmer who raises hens on pasture is your best bet. Not only do you get superior eggs, but you also support sustainable farming practices and animal welfare.

At Piedmont Fresh, we take pride in providing high-quality, fresh eggs from happy, healthy hens. Next time you're looking for eggs, consider making the choice that supports both your health and local agriculture.

Fresh & Flavorful: Meal Prep Inspo

Meal Prep Inspiration

by Samantha Snyder

If you are looking to incorporate more fresh, nutritious local food into your diet, meal prep is the way to go. Keep it as simple as you want and find what you love - your body and your taste buds will thank you!

BEEF TIPS

Klymer Ridge Farm offers beef stew/tips, which would make a delicious slow cooker beef stew. If it’s just you (or you and your partner) at home, a recipe like this can double as dinner and meal prep. Section out the leftover stew for future meals - you can even freeze it. Looking to take your own lunches to work? Buy a soup thermos that will keep your stew steaming hot from the time you pack it in the morning until you’re ready to eat. Nothing’s more comforting than a hot, homemade meal at work!

TURKEY

Turkey is a lean and nutritious meat to incorporate into your diet. Even if you’re not a big turkey fan, see how you like it locally raised. Customers can taste the difference. Try Sunflower Hill Farm’s bone-in double turkey breast roasted with garlic and herbs. Serve as an entrée for supper, or shred the meat and refrigerate or freeze for future sandwiches or wraps. A turkey sandwich on Rabble and Rise whole grain sourdough would be divine!

GROUND BEEF

Versatile and easy to prepare, ground beef is another excellent protein for meal prep - and Rocky Forge’s ground wagyu is to die for! It would be delicious in freezer burritos - flavor-packed and pre-wrapped, ready for your next craving. Or, try Korean beef meal prep bowls for a completely different, equally tasty flavor profile.

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REMINDER: BLUE TOTES

Your orders are delivered in insulated blue totes - please bring these back (to any of the five pickup points, during any of their business hours). We re-use these bags in an effort to practice sustainability while keeping your food fresh!

The Piedmont Fresh shopping window is OPEN until Monday at 11:59 pm. Don’t forget to finalize your order when you finish filling your cart, and sign up for SMS alerts (on our home page) for reminders on when the cart opens and closes. 

Happy shopping!