Support for the Sandhills Farm to Table Cooperative comes this week in the form of a $30,000 grant from the Rural Advancement Foundation International (RAFI).

The cooperative is a new organization that connects farmers to consumers. It sells locally grown foods directly to local households, with members receiving fresh fruits and vegetables in boxes that are shipped to such gathering sites as churches and businesses across the county.

The grant from RAFI will subsidize salaries of General Manager Fenton Wilkinson and Farmer Relations/Communications Manager Jan Leitschuh, pay for office equipment, Web site design, marketing materials and research and development. Grant funds are supplemented by membership fees and a $10,000 legacy gift donation to the cooperative by Stephen Miller in memory of his parents.

BENEFITS - Through the cooperative, growers and consumers benefit, according to a news release from Moore County's public information office.

Farmers benefit by receiving significantly higher prices for their crops than are typically offered by larger retail grocery stores. Consumers benefit by receiving fresh food at reasonable prices.

Farmers, consumers and cooperative employees are owner-members who work together to make decisions about operations.

The cooperative was initiated last summer through the joint efforts of the county's Community Development division of the Planning Department and the Cooperative Extension Service.

More than 500 residents have joined the cooperative, according to the county. The cooperative's steering committee includes municipal and county employees, farmers, hospital employees, lawyers, landscape architects and education nonprofits.

RAFI is a private, nonprofit organization based in Pittsboro. It is "dedicated to cultivating markets, policies and communities that support thriving, socially just and environmentally sound family farms," the organization's Web site says.

Interested residents may learn more about Sandhills Farm to Table Cooperative on the Web site www.sandhillsfarm 2table.com), by contacting Wilkinson by e-mail at fenton@ sandhillsfarm2table.com or telephone (910) 949-2142.

BLAKE - Republican Lou Huddleston's campaign for the 8th Congressional District has received another endorsement from the 6th District.

State Sen. Harris Blake is the latest Republican leader to endorse Huddleston for the seat presently held by Democrat Larry Kissell of Montgomery County. Former Gov. Jim Holshouser, who also lives in Moore County, announced his endorsement of Huddleston two weeks ago.

"We now have a new day and a great opportunity to elect a Republican," Blake said. "I have known Lou for more than three years and have found him to be intelligent and a true patriot. Lou is mission-oriented and has put together a professional campaign team that will bring the necessary skills and dedication needed to win the general election in November."

Blake has served Senate District 22 for four terms and is a candidate for reelection. His district encompasses Moore and Harnett counties. He was the Republican nominee for the 8th District in 1982 and 1984, when Moore County was part of the district. The county is now in the 6th District.

"Senator Blake has been a mentor of mine since I first entered North Carolina politics," Huddleston said. "I value Senator Blake's trusted counsel and friendship, and I am proud to have him supporting my -campaign. We are building a strong team of Republican -officials and community leaders who support my vision for -common sense accountability and conservative leadership in Congress."

COBLE - During the congressional recess Congressman Howard Coble has been busy traveling around the 6th District.

The Greensboro Republican addressed the Federation of Republican Women at the Carolina Hotel in Pinehurst Saturday.

Coble attended a funeral service in Greensboro Monday and spoke to the Burlington Rotary Club. After meeting constituents with appointments in his office in Graham Tuesday, he visited a senior care services facility in Burlington, visited a museum in Alamance and attended an Eagle Scout Court of Honor for six Scouts in Greensboro.

Contact Florence Gilkeson at (910) 693-2479 or by e-mail at florence@thepilot.com.