Residents of North Carolina are being asked to pledge 10 percent of their food dollars to buy products from area farmers and food producers.

“There is not really an ending point for this project,” said Paige Burns, interim county director with North Carolina Cooperative Extension in Richmond County. “We hope that this will become a habitual thing.”

Produce is available at Richmond County Farmers Market located at 100 Biltmore Drive in Rockingham, Berry Patch located on of Hwy 220 North in Rockingham, Johnson Peaches located at 1180 N US Hwy 220 in Rockingham, and Speedway Farm located at 427 Beaverdam Church Road in Rockingham.

“Only about three percent of my business comes from Richmond County,” said Lee Berry, owner of the Berry Patch. “The rest comes from Greensboro, Winston and even out of state.”

He went on to say that he is still thankful for the business that he does receive.

Burns believes that this campaign can make a difference.

“We can help the farmers be stronger economically, and keep their family farms,” she said. “I hope that they can use this in their day-to-day lives.”

No Richmond County locations are listed for beef products. Markets for beef and poultry can be found at Deep River Cattle Company located at 588 Trivett Road in Robbins, Farm to Fork Meat in located in Raleigh, Hilltop Angus Farms located at 1708 Pee Dee Road in Mount Gilead, Peaceful Farm Meadows located at 1740 Camden Road in Marshville, Poplin Farms located at 16647 NC Highway 73 in Albermale, DnA Farms located at 6070 Bost Cutoff Road in Concord and Baucom’s Beef in Monroe located at 1002 Baucom Road.

“Local businesses have the ability to participate as well, and their profits spent in the local market will go back into the state as well,” Burns said.

The Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) is leading the 10 Percent Campaign.

Grant funding for the campaign is provided by Golden LEAF. CEFS is working with North Carolina Cooperative Extension and Charlotte-based Compass Group to develop the early and long-term components of the campaign.

North Carolina Cooperative Extension agents are supporting the campaign by acting as local foods coordinators in all 100 counties.

Working with other community leaders, farmers, businesses, local governments, parents, teachers and students, and others, the on-the-ground experts are:

Encouraging farmers and businesses to increase their capacities; and helping to grow new farmers;

Promoting local foods, food producers and related businesses within their communities;

Supporting “backyard farmers” and community gardens;

Connecting farms to schools, businesses, faith-based organizations and health organizations.

For more information on the 10 Percent Campaign you can go to their Web site nc10percent.com.

Staff Writer Hollie Nivens can be reached at (910) 997-3111 ext. 19 or by e-mailing at hnivens@yourdailyjournal.com