Pulling Back the Curtain on Farming in North Carolina

This August has been the wettest on record in North Carolina — hot, humid, and relentlessly rainy. For many farmers, the impact has been devastating.

Just this week, we placed our first order with Eat Moore Fruits and Veggies, a Johnston County family farm run by Ronnie and Stephanie Moore alongside their three children. Their daughter Cheryl, who manages the family’s stand at the State Farmers Market beside our warehouse, helped us get started.

But the night before our menu opened featuring their fresh herbs, Cheryl texted with heartbreaking news:

“We are continuing to see loss on the farm after so much rain. All of the sage in the field is dead. It has died just within a couple days…I’m so sorry and hate to do this when we are just getting started doing business with you all."

This is farming, unfiltered. It’s a reminder that when we eat locally, we share in both the harvests and the hardships.

Sharing in Both the Harvests and the Setbacks

Choosing to eat local means choosing connection. It ties us to the abundance of the season, like the first NC apples, Fairtime peaches, Asian pears, and jewel-toned crops such as indigo rose tomatoes, purple potatoes, and "purple blaze" garlic.

But it also connects us to the storms, the losses, and the resilience it takes to keep farming through tough times. This balance is what makes local food both powerful and personal.

Why Referrals Matter More Than Ever

Farmers like the Moores pour their hearts into the land, but they can’t do it alone. To keep showing up for them, we need more people to join this movement of conscious eaters.

That’s where you come in. If you're already a member, when you refer a friend to The Produce Box, you’re not just giving them $15 off their first order — you’re helping bring another local eater into the circle of support that sustains our farmers. Every new member means more orders placed, more crops purchased, and more stability for farm families weathering these storms.

Make Eating Local Part of Your Fall Routine

As back-to-school season unfolds and schedules get busier, we hope you’ll make The Produce Box part of your weekly rhythm. Each weekend from Friday 9am - Sunday 9pm, our menu is open with fresh herbs, seasonal fruit, colorful produce, and even locally prepared meals to make weeknights easier.

And if you love what we’re doing, don’t keep it to yourself! Sharing your unique referral link gets you and a friend $15 off. You’ll find it in the “Friend Referrals” section of your profile when you log in. Copy it, paste it in texts, emails, or social posts, and spread the word. When your friend places their first order, you both get $15 off.

You can track any "Pending" rewards, too, which means your friend has signed up with your link, but hasn't ordered yet. Remember to give them that nudge to take the leap, and share some of your favorite products for inspiration!

Standing With Farmers, Together

When you fill your Produce Box, you’re not just feeding your family. Yu’re standing shoulder to shoulder with farm families who give everything to the land, season after season.

Now’s the time to invite your friends to do the same. Together, we can ensure that farmers like the Moores feel supported not only in seasons of abundance, but also in the seasons of loss.

Eat Moore Produce on a fair-weather day