Excerpts from the report: This study was undertaken at the request of the North Carolina State Department of Agriculture, the Raleigh Produce Dealers Association, and food industry representatives. The request stemmed from or reflected a realization that improvements are required in existing distribution facilities for the wholesale food firms located in the counties surrounding Raleigh and for farmers, wholesalers, and other allied firms now located on the Raleigh State Farmer's Market. The study includes both the wholesale food distribution system serving central North Carolina and the growers and users of the Raleigh State Farmer's Market. An 11-county study area is defined for the wholesale food distribution portion of the study. This portion covers 175 wholesale food firms located throughout the study area. The study area defined for the farmers' market includes approximately 1,700 farmers in 24 counties. The objectives of this report are to: • Analyze the wholesale food and farmers' market operations in central North Carolina and identify facilities that should be replaced. • Determine the kinds and numbers of facilities required and the amount of land needed to provide for the development of a wholesale food distribution center and farmers' market to serve the region. • Estimate the costs and potential benefits associated with the construction of a wholesale food distribution center and farmers' market.