The rural to urban resource exchange system involves a structured, mutually beneficial partnership between rural producers and urban partners. To encourage upward movement in both locations, the system develops key relationships between producers, grocery store operators, business owners, investors and community members involved in agribusiness and related sectors.

• Many rural and urban locations (for example: West Charleston, WV, Detroit, MI) are considered food deserts – or, communities lacking adequate access to nutrient dense food. This results in the long-term health impacts that subsist from improper food security and lack of local food system control.
• A rural to urban resource exchange system rooted in Central Appalachia is envisioned as a multifaceted initiative addressing food sovereignty, health, poverty, and climate-induced in-migration.