A North Carolina program called FarmsSHARE that connects local farms directly to food-insecure families delivered $2.95 million to 312 small farms while 92% of participating families reported increased access to healthy foods in a single season. According to Gram Research analysis of this 2026 study, participants also reported improvements in managing chronic diseases like diabetes and high blood pressure, demonstrating that integrated local food systems can simultaneously strengthen farm viability and community health.
A new program in North Carolina called FarmsSHARE is helping solve two big problems at once: farmers struggling to sell their crops and families without enough healthy food. According to Gram Research analysis, the program connected local farms directly with food-insecure communities, delivering fresh produce while supporting small farmers. In just one season, the program gave $2.95 million directly to 312 farms, helped 92% of participating families access more healthy foods, and improved how people manage diseases like diabetes and high blood pressure. The study shows that when farms, food organizations, and community groups work together, everyone benefits—farmers get stable income, families get fresh food, and health improves.
Key Statistics
A 2026 mixed-methods evaluation of FarmsSHARE in North Carolina found that the program distributed $2.95 million in direct payments to 312 small and medium-sized farms while 92% of participating families reported increased access to healthy foods.
In the FarmsSHARE program’s 2024 season, 95% of food recipients reported using all or most of the items provided, and participants reported improved management of chronic conditions including diabetes and hypertension.
The FarmsSHARE evaluation surveyed 322 stakeholders across four groups and conducted 14 focus groups with 105 participants, demonstrating that systems-based food interventions can strengthen organizational infrastructure while improving food security.
According to a 2026 North Carolina study of 322 participants, local food purchasing agreements that connect farms to communities generated measurable health benefits and enhanced dietary quality among food-insecure households within a single growing season.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: Whether a program that connects local farms directly to food-insecure families can improve farm income, food access, and people’s health at the same time.
- Who participated: 322 people across North Carolina, including 312 small and medium-sized farmers, food hub workers, community organizations, and families receiving food assistance. The team also conducted 14 focus group discussions with 105 additional participants to get detailed stories about their experiences.
- Key finding: The FarmsSHARE program delivered $2.95 million directly to farms in one season while 92% of families reported better access to healthy foods, and 95% used all or most of what they received. Participants also reported improvements in managing chronic diseases like diabetes and high blood pressure.
- What it means for you: If you live in a food-insecure household, programs like this can provide fresh, culturally appropriate foods. If you’re a small farmer, direct-to-community sales create stable income. For communities, this approach builds connections between agriculture and health systems. However, these are early findings based on participant reports rather than clinical measurements, so more research is needed.
The Research Details
Researchers used a mixed-methods approach, meaning they collected both numbers and stories. They surveyed 322 people across four groups: farmers, food hub staff, community organizations, and program participants. They also held 14 focus group discussions where 105 people shared detailed experiences. The study was guided by two frameworks: the High Level Panel of Experts (HLPE) food systems framework and the Socio-Ecological Model, which help researchers understand how different parts of a system (farms, distribution, communities, health) connect and influence each other.
The quantitative data (numbers) were analyzed using basic statistics to describe what happened, while the qualitative data (stories and quotes) were carefully reviewed to find common themes and patterns. This combination allowed researchers to understand both the measurable impacts (like dollars to farms) and the human experiences (like how families felt about food access).
This research approach is important because food insecurity and diet-related diseases are complex problems that involve farms, businesses, communities, and health systems all working separately. By studying all these parts together, researchers can see how connecting them creates benefits across the entire system. This ‘systems-based’ approach is more realistic than just looking at one piece in isolation.
Strengths: The study included multiple stakeholder groups, used both quantitative and qualitative methods, and examined real-world program implementation. The sample size of 322 is reasonable for this type of evaluation. Limitations: The study relied on participant self-reports rather than objective clinical measurements (like blood tests), so we don’t have independent verification of health improvements. The evaluation was conducted during a single season, so we don’t know if benefits persist over time. There’s no comparison group, so we can’t be certain the program caused the improvements rather than other factors.
What the Results Show
The FarmsSHARE program generated measurable impacts across four levels. First, farms benefited significantly: the program distributed $2.95 million in direct payments to 312 small and medium-sized farms, providing income stability that many small farmers struggle to achieve. Second, the organizations involved (food hubs and community-based organizations) strengthened their infrastructure by expanding staffing, adding cold storage capacity, and improving distribution systems—meaning they can serve more people in the future.
Third, families experienced improved food access: 92% of program recipients reported increased access to healthy foods, and 95% reported using all or most of the items they received. This high utilization rate suggests the foods were appropriate for their needs and preferences. Fourth, participants reported health improvements, including better dietary quality and improved management of chronic conditions like diabetes and hypertension. These health benefits are particularly important because diet-related diseases are major health challenges in North Carolina.
Beyond the primary outcomes, the program created important secondary benefits. It fostered new partnerships and connections between farmers, food organizations, community groups, and health systems that didn’t previously work together. These new relationships build community resilience—the ability of communities to handle challenges. The program also demonstrated that local food systems can be a practical tool for addressing food insecurity while supporting agricultural livelihoods. Participants emphasized the cultural relevance of the foods provided, suggesting the program understood and respected community food preferences.
This research aligns with growing evidence that connecting local food production directly to communities can address multiple challenges simultaneously. Previous studies have shown that food insecurity and diet-related diseases are linked, and that access to fresh foods improves dietary quality. However, most prior research examined these issues separately or focused on single interventions. FarmsSHARE’s systems-based approach is relatively novel in demonstrating that farm viability, food access, and health outcomes can improve together through integrated programming. The findings support the emerging consensus that food systems interventions should involve multiple sectors working collaboratively.
The study has several important limitations. First, health improvements were based on participant self-reports rather than clinical measurements like blood tests or doctor visits, so we can’t independently verify the health claims. Second, the evaluation covered only one season, so we don’t know if benefits continue or fade over time. Third, there was no comparison group of similar people who didn’t participate, making it harder to prove the program caused the improvements rather than other factors. Fourth, the study didn’t measure objective dietary changes through food diaries or biomarkers. Finally, the findings are specific to North Carolina and may not apply to other regions with different agricultural systems, food cultures, or economic conditions.
The Bottom Line
Strong evidence supports expanding programs like FarmsSHARE that connect local farms directly to food-insecure communities. The program should be scaled and sustained through stable funding and cross-sector partnerships. Registered Dietitian Nutritionists should be involved in designing and implementing similar programs. However, future programs should include objective health measurements (clinical biomarkers, food diaries) to strengthen evidence of health benefits. Confidence level: Moderate to High for farm income and food access impacts; Moderate for health outcomes pending objective verification.
Small and medium-sized farmers should care because this model provides stable income and direct market access. Food-insecure households should care because it improves access to fresh, culturally appropriate foods. Community organizations, food hubs, and health systems should care because it strengthens their capacity and creates new partnerships. Policymakers should care because it addresses multiple public health and economic challenges simultaneously. People with chronic diseases like diabetes and hypertension may benefit from improved dietary access. This approach may be less relevant for large-scale industrial farms or wealthy communities with existing food access.
Based on this study, participants reported improvements in food access within one growing season (approximately 6 months). Health improvements in chronic disease management were also reported within this timeframe, though longer-term benefits would require extended follow-up. Farm revenue impacts were immediate and measurable. However, building organizational capacity and community partnerships takes longer—likely 1-2 years to see full infrastructure benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can buying from local farms help people with diabetes manage their disease better?
FarmsSHARE participants reported improved management of diabetes and hypertension after receiving fresh local produce. However, this was based on self-reports rather than clinical measurements. More research with blood tests and doctor visits is needed to confirm these health improvements.
How much money do small farmers actually make from direct-to-community food programs?
In FarmsSHARE’s 2024 season, 312 small and medium-sized farms received $2.95 million in direct payments, averaging about $9,450 per farm. This provided income stability that many small farmers struggle to achieve through traditional wholesale markets.
What percentage of families actually use the fresh food they receive from these programs?
In the FarmsSHARE program, 95% of recipients reported using all or most of the items provided, suggesting the foods matched their needs and preferences. This high utilization rate indicates the program understood community food cultures and preferences.
Do local food programs actually reduce food insecurity or just provide temporary help?
FarmsSHARE showed that 92% of participants reported increased access to healthy foods during the program season. However, the study only covered one season, so long-term effects on food insecurity are unknown. Sustained funding and scaling are needed to determine lasting impact.
What organizations need to work together to make local food programs successful?
FarmsSHARE involved farmers, food hubs, community-based organizations, and health systems working collaboratively. The study found that these cross-sector partnerships strengthened organizational capacity, expanded distribution infrastructure, and created new community connections that support long-term food security.
Want to Apply This Research?
- Track weekly servings of fresh local produce consumed and note any changes in energy levels, blood sugar stability, or disease management symptoms. Users could photograph meals and log produce types, quantities, and sources.
- If your app connects users to local farm programs, enable users to set reminders for pickup days, track which produce items they received, and log how they used them in meals. Create a simple health journal to note any changes in how they feel, energy levels, or chronic disease symptoms.
- Implement a long-term tracking system that monitors: (1) frequency of fresh produce consumption, (2) dietary quality indicators, (3) self-reported health metrics (energy, disease symptoms), and (4) engagement with local food programs. Quarterly check-ins could assess sustained behavior change and health improvements.
This research evaluates the FarmsSHARE program based on participant self-reports of health improvements rather than clinical measurements or objective health indicators. Reported improvements in chronic disease management (diabetes, hypertension) have not been verified through blood tests, medical records, or clinical assessments. These findings represent one season of program implementation in North Carolina and may not apply to other regions or time periods. Individuals with chronic diseases should consult their healthcare provider before making dietary changes or relying on food assistance programs as primary treatment. This study demonstrates associations and reported outcomes, not proven cause-and-effect relationships. Further research with objective health measurements is needed to confirm clinical benefits.
This research translation is published by Gram Research, the science division of Gram, an AI-powered nutrition tracking app.