Commissioners OK food hub proposal

ASHEBORO — Randolph County Board of Commissioners gave the go-ahead to open a food hub at the new Agricultural Center, approving $74,099.50 to help fund Lindsey and Robert Poe’s first year of organizing it.

At the commissioners’ meeting on Jan. 5, Lindsey Poe laid out her goals for a venture supporting local farmers, food access and educational programming centered around agriculture and health.

“We’re here because Randolph County raised us, and we’re committed to giving back,” Poe said.

Randolph County issued a request for proposals. The Poes, who run Poe Family Farm in Liberty, were the only ones to submit a plan. 

They started a non-profit called NC Rooted Community Agriculture (NCRCA) to operate it.

In her presentation, Lindsey Poe said NCRCA would manage relationships with local food producers, handle storage and distribution, ensure food safety and support customer engagement. 

Their funding request to the county is for the salaries for a full-time and part-time position.

Among their pitches was a year-round online farmers market. Customers would shop for food within a limited time, and farmers would bring their orders to the hub or a satellite pickup spot.

Poe said they have 12 years of experience operating their farm. She earned a degree in public health education at UNC Greensboro. Her husband, an Army veteran, has a background in IT communication.

She said they also visited other agricultural centers for research.

She said she hopes the hub will provide community-wide education for both farmers and consumers. 

“We want to have cooking demonstrations, nutrition workshops, farm tours, tasting of seasonal produce,” she said. “We think that these programs will help community members understand the value of local foods and develop healthier eating habits.”

Commissioner Chair Darrell Frye asked how they will maintain health and safety. Poe said they plan to pursue the US Department of Agriculture’s Good Agriculture Practices (GAP) certification for NCRCA, which would be a requirement if they want to serve food to schools and hospitals.

Commissioner Kenny Kidd asked how they will guarantee fair market price for farmers. Poe said she believes the stability and logistical support of the hub will attract farmers, even if they can make more at a farmers market.

“You’re going to be receiving more than you would at a grocery store wholesale,” Poe said. “Even if it’s a little higher, or [farmers] may be taking a little bit of a loss at the hub compared to a farmers market, they’re thinking about the time, the resources, the time away from the farm, weather dependent. If a storm comes, you’re done for the day. Well, if you bring it to [the hub], you’ve got an order that’s guaranteed.”

County Manager Zeb Holden said the county wants this hub to focus first and foremost on helping food deserts. 

Commissioners unanimously approved NCRCA’s request.

Other business

■ Commissioners approved the purchase of wall panels and gates events at the Agricultural Center. Cooperative Extension Director Lauren Langley said these panels from WW Manufacturing allow for customized set-ups in the animal staging arena. The panels, with five transport trailers, will cost $99,838.02, which comes from the center’s Tobacco Trust and Golden Leaf grant funding.

■ Commissioners approved a Letter of Intent to work with the non-profit Foundations Forward and add a Charters of Freedom replica display beside the courthouse. The organization builds displays of the Declaration of Independence, US Constitution and Bill of Rights.

The county will cover the cost of the concrete pad and landscaping, expected to be around $8,000. Amanda Coffey with Foundation Forward said the organization will build the displays out of stainless steel and gift them to the county. Commissioners approved the Letter of Intent after asking Coffey how their displays stand up to weather.

■ Jennifer Moran, senior manager for Cherry Bekaert, LLC, presented the annual audit report. She said they found no issues for 2025 fiscal year.

■ Assistant County Manager William Johnson asked to table their review of the Unified Development Ordinance. The planning board made changes to rules for signs, but Johnson said the new Love truck stop just presented its sign options, and they would like to see how those compare to the ordinance. Commissioners agreed to table it until February.

■ Holden announced that the next round of opioid settlement funding has opened, and organizations can apply by Feb. 16. The county required anyone who seeks funding to attend an information meeting on Jan. 13.

Holden also announced that the county will host the film “Rising Above Helene” on Jan. 20 at the Agricultural Center. It will document the recovery efforts in Western North Carolina after Hurricane Helene.