EASTERN CAROLINA ORGANICS

WHAT WE DO We market and distribute wholesale Carolina organic farm produce to retailers, restaurants and buying clubs. We think (heck, we KNOW) that a sustainable food system is based on providing fresh local fruit, vegetables, and herbs while protecting the environment. We're farmer-owned and we act like it. Eighty percent of our sales go right back to our growers. Our customers get fresh organic veggies and fruits, along with the knowledge that they're enabling farmers to protect their family land. By pooling diverse harvests from several regions, we're able to meet the demand for a steady stream of high-quality, seasonal food choices throughout the year. HOW WE STARTED We were born in 2004 as a project of the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association (CFSA) and a recipient of a $48,000 Tobacco Trust Fund Commission grant. The goal of CFSA then is our mission now—to support emerging organic farmers and organic tobacco farmers while improving the supply of local organic produce. In 2005, we became a private, grower- and manager-owned LLC with 13 grower and 2 staff owners. Today, ECO works with over 40 growers and 100 customers. In 2011, CFSA recognized ECO as its Business of the Year, stating, "ECO is honored for their commitment to helping sustainable family farms thrive in the Carolinas."