Serving Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and other towns of the North Carolina High Country | Founded 05-05-05

April 10, 2008 issue

Online Searchable Food Guide Debuts in April

Add Your Listing Now

The Carolina Guide to Local & Organic Food has been a popular and useful print resource that connects folks searching for local and sustainable products with those who grow or sell them. And now the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association is putting the guide on the web.

The website will feature a searchable database of farmers, farmers’ markets, restaurants, grocers, manufacturers and other businesses. A big advantage of the online guide, compared to the print version, is that you can revise listings as necessary, and the entire online guide will be updated at least once each month to provide the most up-to-date information possible.

By having a listing in the online guide, you will not only showcase your farm or business, but you will also support sustainable agriculture by making your products more visible and easier to access.

The online version of the Carolina Guide to Local & Organic Food will launch in April. The guide will not be published in a printed version this year because the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association is focusing solely on the web-based database to better meet the needs of today's consumers.

Listings and updates in the online guide are free for all Carolina Farm Stewardship Association members.

The cost for nonmember farmer/growers to place a listing in the guide is $50, and the fee for nonmember businesses/services/organizations is $100. The price covers a one-year listing in the online guide, and you will receive a listing renewal and update reminder at least one month before your expiration date. If you want to update your information before the renewal time, the charge is $5.

Site visitors will be able to perform a quick search using a ZIP code or an advanced search by entering specific keywords—such as grass-fed or organic—as well as names or locations. Search results will include linked web addresses so visitors can link directly to a farm or business webpage. CFSA members will be shown at the top of the results page.

If your membership in CFSA has lapsed, or if you would like to join as a new member, call 919-542-2402 or click to www.carolinafarmstewards.org to fill out your membership forms online.

You can add your listing to the guide at the CFSA site as well. If you have any questions about membership or the guide, email cheryl@carolinafarmstewards.org.

Additional advertising options are available. For details, email Executive Director Roland McReynolds at roland@carolinafarmstewards.org.