North Carolina Crunch; apples
Photo credit: Jeff Adkins

This October, the NC Farm to School Network celebrates Farm to School and Early Care and Education Month with a focus on locally grown fruits and vegetables and the hardworking farmers who grow them in the annual North Carolina Crunch. At noon on Oct. 22 – or anytime throughout the month – folks around the state are encouraged to crunch on some local produce to promote healthy eating and learn where our food comes from.

Participants of all ages are invited to crunch along in their schools, child care centers, offices, farmers markets and restaurants with a number of seasonal goods, including apples, collards, beets, kale, lettuce, bok choy, cabbage, herbs, mustard greens and mushrooms

Henderson County Orchards Grow Great Apples

Want to get involved? Visit growing-minds.org/north-carolina-crunch to find their Crunch Guide, filled with all kinds of helpful tools for hosting your own Crunch event. Other related ideas include hosting a Crunch at a local farmers market, office or school; bringing local produce into your local classrooms; and hosting field trips on your farm. To learn more about the North Carolina Crunch, visit growing-minds.org.

Read & Connect

NCField&FamilySummer2026
Flip through the pages of the Summer 2026 edition of North Carolina Field and Family magazine. In this issue, find vineyard adventures at U-pick muscadine grape farms, explore the oasis of Manteo, learn more about on-farm markets, enjoy peak berry season with summer berry recipes, read about riveting research on hemp fiber and so much more.

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