In addition to free consultation for farmers, farmers markets, and partner businesses in our Appalachian Grown region, ASAP offers an array of consulting services to organizations, foundations, and public agencies across the country that want to increase support for local food and farms.
For more than 20 years, ASAP has strengthened local and regional food systems and built healthier communities, becoming a national leader in the local food movement. We are committed to working with clients like you to build your capacity, deepen your impact, and achieve greater success.
Consulting Services
We offer expertise in the following areas. Email Associate Director Amy Marion to talk more about your specific needs and budget.
Collecting and analyzing food and farm data: Establish a baseline understanding of food and farm activity in your geographic area and identify clear strategies for strengthening local food production, processing, distribution, access, and consumption.
Expanding local food marketing and promotion: Build awareness of and increase support for local food and farm activities in a region through effective promotions and local food identification. Program expertise includes local food branding and certification programs; producing a local food guide; farm tours; and more
Developing and enhancing farm to school programs: Provide children with opportunities to learn about local food and farms in the classroom, cafeteria, and community. Offer training to teachers, school nutrition staff, parents, community members, and farmers.
Additionally, we offer consulting support on major grants, including those funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI).
Past Projects
ASAP has offered consulting on dozens of projects over the past two decades. A list of past clients and references is available upon request. A few sample projects include:
Appalachian Regional Commission (Washington, DC)
ASAP conducted food and farm assessments for the 420 counties in the ARC geographic area to provide a baseline of local food and farm activity within the region. For the project, ASAP developed a methodology to produce county snapshots with data on production, retail infrastructure, health, consumption, food access, and equity.
Community Food Strategies (North Carolina)
From 2014 to 2022, ASAP was one of seven organizations that make up Community Food Strategies, a collaborative partnership working to empower local food councils across North Carolina to help build an equitable, community driven food system that improves the quality of life for all people.
CONNECT Our Future (Charlotte, NC)
ASAP led in the development of the Food Systems planning part of a three-year HUD effort is to create a framework for guiding and investing in the Charlotte, NC region’s growth. Along with overall project management, ASAP analyzed multiple food system elements (including production, processing, marketing, distribution, access, consumption, and food waste recovery) and produced an action plan for food system development and the work of food policy councils in the region.
Southern Tier West Regional Planning & Development Board of New York (Salamanca, NY)
ASAP guided planners and farmers through the development and rollout of a local food branding and certification program for Western New York. With ASAP’s support, organizers have since created Western New York’s first comprehensive online food guide, developed a website featuring local food and farm activities in the region, and formed a peer-to-peer network for farmers markets in the region.
“ASAP’s knowledge and technical expertise helped us develop a rich dataset and valuable report on agriculture and local food system trends in the 420-county Appalachian Region. ASAP’s work allowed us to achieve our goals of investing in emerging economic opportunities, diversifying local economies, and leveraging the Region’s natural and cultural assets by providing baseline statistics to local and regional planners.”
—Keith Witt, Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC)
“ASAP’s expertise helped us think through the branding and marketing needs of our burgeoning local food program. ASAP’s expertise helped us target our outreach population and, through the process of meticulously focusing our efforts, goals and objectives, develop multiple branding strategies to reach our population.”
—Dr. Leslie Hossfeld, Feast Down East—Southeastern North Carolina Food Systems Project