If you're interested in eating local and supporting North Carolina farmers, Lowes Foods has launched a new program called the Locally Grown Club that you might want to try.

Sign up and pay in advance for weekly boxes full of local fruits and veggies, then pick up the box at a nearby Lowes Foods store.

Farmers from across the state met in Raleigh this morning to express their concerns about potential food safety legislation that could change the way they are allowed to operate.

In a meeting at the State Fairgrounds in Raleigh, a panel of farmers addressed representatives from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration. State agriculture department officials were also there, along with a group of about 60 other industry officials, farmers and consumers.

At the top of the list for many farmers in attendance: a fear that sweeping legislation would make it difficult for small farmers to continue to operate, either because complying would cost too much money or take too much time.

"You should not prevent new farmers from wanting to enter the market," said John Vollmer, whose family operates the Vollmer Farm in Franklin County. "When Farmer John croaks, who's going to take it on? I hope [complying with the new rules] won't be such a mountain that my son and daughter-in-law won't want to take it on."