NC State Extension, Tourism Extension, and People-First Provisions have just opened pre-ordering for the 5th season of the Vacationer Supported Agriculture (VSA) program. Vacationers to most of North Carolina's beaches and to destinations in Jackson and Haywood Counties may now order bags of fresh local produce, eggs, and in some markets, shrimp, meat bundles, and flowers from select vacation realty companies. In 2022 VSA is partnering with 33 realty companies in 14 different vacation destinations. The season will run from the first weekend in May to the last weekend in September.
The Vacationer Supported Agriculture program has connected vacationers to local food since the program launched in 2018 and has generated almost $250,000 in sales for local farmers. A USDA grant supported the program from 2018 - 2020. In 2021 and 2022 the NC Tobacco Trust Fund Commission has provided funding for direct grants to farmers participating in the program who need equipment to ensure proper cold chain delivery from farm to vacationer.
The Vacationer Supported Agriculture program was the 2021 recipient of the Opal Mann Green Award and will be considered as NC State University's applicant
