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CAPE FEAR MEMORIAL BRIDGE CLOSURE: UPDATES, RESOURCES, AND CONTEXT
Gathered at the bottom of this page is WHQR's ongoing reporting and coverage on COVID-19. In addition, below is a list of other resources pertaining to the virus.For questions/concerns about COVID-19, call the NC Coronavirus Helpline at 1-866-462-3821. To find out about the availability of community resources, call 211 or visit nc211.orgFor Brunswick County, the COVID-19 Helpline is 910-253-2339. The email is coronavirus@brunswickcountync.gov. New Hanover County's Helpline is 910-798-6800. National Resources Basic Protective Measures from the Coronavirus Coronavirus Myth Busters Coronavirus FAQs and Answers National Coronavirus Case Tracker Protecting Yourself and Your Family Preventing COVID-19 Spread in Communities International Travel Advisories Local ResourcesTesting in North Carolina State Case Count New Hanover County Updates and Info Brunswick County Updates and Info Pender County Updates and Info New Hanover Regional Medical Center Updates New Hanover Disaster Coalition Novant HealthDosher Memorial HospitalWAVE TransitWilmington HealthUNCWWHQR's Community Resources

Farms Cope with Coronavirus Shutdown

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Farms that are in the harvesting phase are picking what they have and hoping the markets will stabilize.

Nearly 50,000 farms are spread across North Carolina, according to the state’s Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services. Together, they bring in $76 billion annually. But many are struggling in the midst of an economic shutdown.

It’s currently peak strawberry season in Eastern North Carolina. That’s a problem for Cal Lewis, owner of Lewis Nursery and Farms. The farm -- which includes a “berry picking” and retail location in Wilmington, as well as a wholesale operation in Rocky Point -- produces strawberries, blackberries, and blueberries.

 

“If it had impacted us after our harvest season, it'd be a lot less damaging. But it is our harvest season, it is our peak season -- so we're got no choice but to deal with it.”

 

Lewis says the challenge for farmers has a lot to do with timing. For example, vegetable farms -- which are usually planting this time of year -- are trying to figure out how many crops to plant, as future demand grows increasingly uncertain.

 

Farms like Lewis’s, that are in the harvesting phase, are picking what they have and hoping the markets will stabilize. Last week, the farm reopened berry picking at its Wilmington location. 

 

Lewis has this advice for shoppers who want to support local agriculture: 

 

“Just to ask their grocery stores and their retailers where they shop to support local and buy local and stuff like that. And also to go to the farmer’s markets and support growers right there at the retail level.”

 

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A comprehensive New Hanover County Guide includes links to area markets, farms, and resources for communities in need.

Some highlights:

  • The Wilmington Farmers Market at Tidal Creek is now located at Wrightsville Beach Brewing Company. They’re set up every Saturday as a drive-thru market, so you can shop without getting out of your car. You can also email them to sign up for the weekly newsletter listing the farmers and food the current week. 

  • Some individual farmers are setting up to provide offerings on their own property. Terra Vita Farm is open every weekend. They've also teamed up with two other farms, so at that one location you can also buy from Red-Tailed Farm and Green Drop Farm. Email owner Michael Torbett at michael@terravitamicro.com to be added to their weekly text of offerings. 

  • Humble Roots Farm also offers food at their own property. Meanwhile, Feast Down East has started a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) box program. You can order a box of produce, comprising produce from several different area farms.

 

Hannah is WHQR's All Things Considered host, and also reports on science, the environment, and climate change. She enjoys loud music, documentaries, and stargazing; and is the proud mother of three cats, a dog, and many, many houseplants. Contact her via email at hbreisinger@whqr.org, or on Twitter @hbreisinger.