In 2020, EPR, P.C. renewed its role as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s prime consultant for the Local Foods, Local Places Technical Assistance Program, supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Salisbury, North Carolina, requested assistance through the program to develop an action plan to expand its renewed farmers’ market and reinvest in the surrounding area.

EPR, P.C., and Dialogue + Design Associates helped the City of Salisbury identify goals and developed a detailed action plan. Salisbury had recently constructed a permanent farmer’s market location in its downtown. A local steering committee affirmed the farmers’ market as its primary goal, establishing it as a central element to continued downtown revitalization. Early in the planning process, local stakeholders also emphasized a need to support the local economy through assisting farmers and food-related businesses. During a two-day virtual workshop, participants discussed ways to oversee and coordinate programming for local farmers and businesses.

The final action plan detailed eighteen actions for advancing goals to:

• Expand the Salisbury Farmers’ Market as a central element to downtown revitalization.
• Increase the local foods economy to support local farmers and economic development.
• Connect local food and market opportunities to promote health and healthy activities.
• Provide greater food access to the food insecure in the broader community.