Central Appalachian Faith Collective

Central Appalachian
Faith Collaborative

The Central Appalachian Faith Collective (CAFC) is a collective of regional faith-based organizations centered on land access and food sovereignty. The group ranges from Southern West Virginia to Eastern Kentucky, and includes the Mennonite Central Committee, Together for Hope in Appalachia, and the West Virginia Faith Collective. Some current efforts include the land access initiative and the grocery partner initiative.

Land Access Initiative

At present, CAFC has addressed three regional major land holding companies and their subsidiaries to invite collaboration on the following initiatives:

Land reclamation and cleanup from extraction using conservation and agriculture
Economic impact and further discussion of this climate study
Health impact our collaboration could have
Land bank system for community and economic development
Addressing youth as #1 export in our area and population drain – studies suggest we will see an influx of people into our region
Creating a new language for partnerships in our area

Grocery Partner Initiative

CAFC has entered a discussion with regional grocery stores, creating a new language for partnership. The goal is to address the role grocery stores play within food desert communities and the responsibility to provide access to nutrient-dense, locally produced food. This work includes:

The creation of education, awareness and experiential learning opportunities for grocers and consumers
The creation of tools and products that combat chronic disease and raise awareness of economic opportunities in agribusiness

Central Appalachian Faith Collaborative

Land Access Initiative

Grocery Partner Initiative

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Central Appalachian
Faith Collaborative