Morrison Healthcare, The Common Market and Atrium Health are showing how local food purchasing can support family farms, strengthen regional food systems and bring fresh, nutritious ingredients to the communities they serve.
On August 19, the organizations came together for “Grow the Table: A convening and celebration of Carolina buyers and producers,” The event recognized the impact of sourcing food from local farmers and producers across the Southeast.
The event featured The Common Market Farmer Champion Awards, which recognized Atrium Union and Atrium Union West hospitals for their leadership and commitment to local purchasing. It also marked one year of The Common Market Southeast serving the Charlotte market, with Morrison Healthcare chefs preparing dishes featuring locally sourced ingredients.
The Common Market is a nonprofit food distributor that purchases food directly from small family farms. The Common Market Southeast works with more than 45 family farmers and producers across the region, and the Atrium Health network has supported 32 of those producers through its local purchasing efforts.
“At Atrium Health, we recognize that supporting the health of our communities extends beyond the care we provide within our hospitals,” said Kate Hillier, Vice President of Support Services for Southeast Region, Atrium Health. “Through our partnership with Morrison Healthcare and The Common Market, we’re able to bring fresh, locally sourced food to our facilities while supporting the farmers and producers who are an important part of the communities we serve. It’s a great example of how thoughtful purchasing decisions can create a positive impact well beyond our walls.”
“This event told the story behind the food,” said Chef Georg Benzinger, Morrison Healthcare Culinary Director at Atrium Health. “It demonstrated how the local purchasing program connects farmers, producers and healthcare organizations that together are building a stronger regional food system.”
Three regional farms were featured during the event:
- Brasstown Beef — Brasstown, North Carolina
- Farms 2 U — Bamberg, South Carolina
- Marsh Hen Mill — Edisto Island, South Carolina
“Partnerships like this create meaningful and consistent market opportunities for small family farms while making fresh, locally grown food more accessible to the communities we all serve,” said Rachel Terry, Vice President of Partnerships with The Common Market. “Morrison Healthcare and Atrium Health are demonstrating the impact institutions can have when they make local purchasing a priority. Every purchase helps strengthen the viability of regional farms and builds a more resilient local food system.”
“Every order placed by Morrison Healthcare and our partners helps strengthen these farms, expand access to fresh local products and reinvest dollars back into our regional economy,” Chef Benzinger said. “It’s a true example of using the Power of Food to make a meaningful difference in the communities we serve. We’re using our scale to help preserve an American industry, strengthen local communities, and give family farms another reason to keep farming.”
The partnership also reflects Morrison Healthcare’s broader commitment to Purpose through community impact while recognizing the chefs and teams who have helped turn local purchasing into meaningful action.
By connecting healthcare dining with small and family-owned farms, Morrison Healthcare, Atrium Health and The Common Market are demonstrating how purchasing decisions can reach well beyond the plate – supporting farmers, strengthening local economies and building healthier, more resilient communities.
