South Carolina Coastal Conservation League Inc
Programs
GrowFood Carolina Initiative
A DESCRIPTION OF THE LEAGUE'S FOUR MAIN PROGRAMS ARE AS FOLLOWS: FOOD AND AGRICULTURE RURAL LANDS ARE BEING CONVERTED TO URBAN USES EVERY DAY. FARMLAND HAS BEEN HIT HARDEST BY THIS CHANGE, WHICH REPRESENTS AN ECOLOGICAL, ECONOMIC, CULTURAL AND PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS FOR SOUTH CAROLINIANS. THIS CHALLENGE WAS THE IMPETUS FOR THE CREATION OF GROWFOOD CAROLINA. GROWFOOD CAROLINA SUPPORTS SMALL AND MID-SIZED SOUTH CAROLINA FARMERS BY MARKETING, PROMOTING, AND SELLING THEIR PRODUCE ACROSS THE COAST, BUT PRIMARILY TO RESTAURANTS IN THE CHARLESTON AREA. (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O)GeographiesNot indicatedDatesJul 1, 2022 – Jun 30, 2023Source990No causes providedNo populations provided–$3.7MProgram 1 [2025]
The following are the League's Conservation Programs: Communities, Transportation, Land UseThe objective of this program is to advocate for land conservation and quality of life in South Carolina coastal communities by advocating for sustainable urban growth patterns, efficient and clean transportation systems, and permanent land protection where appropriate. The Conservation League provides technical and professional assistance to local residents to help preserve their land and communities, advocates for good land use policies, and provides community organizing expertise.(Continued on Schedule O)Examples of priority projects include:Advocating for public transportation and mobility solutions like the Lowcountry Rapid Transit project;Advocating against highways, such as 1-526, I-73, and Highway 22 Extension, that contribute to suburban sprawl and disproportionately impact low-wealth communities;Advancing local and state resilience policies that minimize development in low-lying areas and prioritize the use of natural green infrastructure for coastal protection;Advancing conservation funding in counties and at the state level;Ensuring that wetland fill is avoided, and when necessary, adequately mitigated through land protection and restoration; andWorking through local land use planning to establish strong urban growth and urban service boundaries (especially in Jasper, Berkeley, Charleston, Beaufort, and Horry Counties).Land, Water, WildlifeThe objective of this program is to advocate for natural resource conservation to further our mission of protecting clean and abundant water, natural habitats, and the health of people and wildlife. The Conservation League accomplishes this goal by ensuring public policies are adequate and properly implemented to protect water quality and quantity, wildlife habitat, and valuable landscapes, as well as communicating to a broad audience about how to get involved in decisions affecting these coastal assets.Examples of priority projects include:Fighting inappropriately sited mines that threaten coastal resources and disproportionately impact communities;Protecting beaches such as Captain Sam's Spit and Bay Point Island from irresponsible development;Preventing plastic pellet pollution ("nurdles") and passing local and state laws to hold polluters responsible.Opposing Clean Water Rule rollbacks;Protecting our shoreline and marine habitats - such as oyster beds and saltmarsh; Restoring and protecting wildlife habitat in places such as Crab Bank and Deveaux Bank and advocating for strengthening enforcement and regulations; andAdvocating for resilient coastlines and prioritized land conservation that will help with marsh migration and carbon sequestration.EnergyThe objective of this program is to advocate for clean energy as components of a healthy ecosystem and quality of life, through policy reform, public awareness campaigns, and educational outreach. The Conservation League promotes energy efficiency, energy conservation, retirement of fossil-fueled energy equipment, and renewable energy as the cheapest and most effective solutions to the climate, health, and social crises associated with our current energy system.Examples of priority projects include:Challenging new gas pipelines through pristine areas such as the ACE Basin; Working to ensure that data centers do not exploit the state's energy and water resources to benefit job creation primarily focused in other states.Creating and implementing regulatory processes that ensure fair consideration of clean energy in the planning and operation of the electricity and natural gas supply, transmission, and distribution systems;Establishing regulatory and financial mechanisms to promote implementation of energy efficient technologies;Reducing carbon emissions from dirty fuel sources, like coal and other fossil fuels, through advocacy and state policy reform;Reducing single occupancy cars on the road and electrifying transportation;Promoting market-based procurement processes that can speed the transition to cleaner energy systems; andPreventing offshore oil and gas exploration and drillingGeographiesNot indicatedDatesJul 1, 2024 – Jun 30, 2025Source990No causes providedNo populations provided–$2.2MProgram 2 [2025]
Food and AgricultureRural lands are being converted to urban uses every day. Farmland has been hit hardest by this change, which represents an ecological, economic, cultural and public health crisis for South Carolinians. This challenge was the impetus for the creation of Grow Food Carolina in 2011.GrowFood Carolina supports small and mid-sized South Carolina farmers by marketing, promoting, and selling their produce across the coast, but primarily to restaurants in the Charleston area. (Continued on Schedule O)Since opening in 2011, GrowFood has sold over $11 million of local products, facilitating more than $9 million of revenue back to South Carolina's small and mid-sized farmers over the last 14 years. Today, GrowFood Carolina works with more than 120 growers producing on more than 6,000 acres throughout South Carolina. GrowFood Carolina markets more than 400 items including fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, grains, dairy, honey, eggs and salt to major retail chains, more than 400 restaurants, and a growing number of institutions and corporate campuses.In March 2020, when the pandemic hit South Carolina, restaurant sales plummeted to nearly zero. That meant that local farmers who had planted fields full of fresh vegetables to sell to GrowFood Carolina and to other retailers no longer had enough buyers to sustain their farm businesses. GrowFood Carolina quickly pivoted to create and sell boxes of food directly to Charleston-area families, while launching government support and "Soil to Sustenance" programs to provide similar nutritious food boxes to families in need and those with health challenges. Through food box sales and partnerships with heath organizations and other nonprofits, more than 300,000 pounds of produce have been donated to families in need. These programs helped our farmers stay in business.GeographiesNot indicatedDatesJul 1, 2024 – Jun 30, 2025Source990No causes providedNo populations provided–$1.6M
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