North Carolina is blessed with a wealth and diversity of agriculture. Since 2007, people throughout North Carolina have gathered together for regional Come to the Table conferences.
These daylong events bring together members of the faith community with farmers, gardeners, farm workers, educators, health professionals and community organizations to find ways to relieve hunger and support local agriculture.
Come to the Table conferences are held because family farms are disappearing and conditions for farmers and farm workers remain difficult. Although North Carolina is an agricultural state, it is ranked eighth in the nation for household food insecurity. According to Map the Meal Gap, Childhood Food Insecurity (2011), 603,350 children in North Carolina do not have a dependable source of the nutrition they need to be healthy and succeed (feedingamerica.org).
Many faith groups and community organizations feel called to build a different food system, a system of generosity, inclusiveness and stewardship.
On Feb. 4, Kinston will host the Eastern North Carolina Come to the Table conference at the Community Council for the Arts. These conferences are a project of the N.C. Council of Churches and RAFI-USA, with support from Duke Endowment.
Here is what some former participants said about earlier conferences:
“These conferences speak to the heart, mind and hands of people of faith, challenging us to rethink our often insulated lives,” said Susan Sides, coordinator of a large community garden called the Lord’s Acre. “If you want to be inspired and equipped to be part of the front-row connection between faith and food, this is for you!”
Chris Liu-Beers said, “Come to the Table never fails to inspire. At every conference I’ve met new people doing great work, and their creative examples show what’s possible when faith communities get involved.”
Concern for others is a natural response and North Carolina is helping to lead the way. Teams from local communities and organizations are encouraged to attend the Eastern N.C. Come to the Table conference. Join in to learn, plan and eat together, beginning at 8:30 a.m. Feb. 4.
Registration has begun at cometothetablenc.org. The cost is on a sliding scale up to $15. Contact Sarah Gibson by email at sarah@rafiusa.org with questions, or call 919-259-5169.
Peg Godwin is horticulture agent, Lenoir County Cooperative Extension Center. Reach her at Peg_Godwin@ncsu.edu or 252-527-2191.