Our Story
With young children in tow, Lora Neel started visiting local farmer’s markets as a Saturday morning activity. This grew into a desire to eat more locally produced and grown foods, as well as fascination to discover the bounty of the seasons. Along the way, Lora was exposed to many new products crafted by small vendors and sold at the farmer’s markets. Unfortunately, as many of those businesses grew they were no longer sold through the market and proved difficult to find in grocery stores. Years later, an idea was born for Lora and her family to curate a specialty food store where all the amazing products that she had found could be purchased in one location. Having lived in Apex for over 20 years, downtown Apex seemed like the perfect spot for this true family business, coined “ELK Local Foods”. This store brings together a passion for supporting health through better food, being a part of a strong community, and eating and buying locally.
Lora Neel – Owner, Chief Local Foodie
Family, Community, and Local Foods
After leaving a 20 year career at a Fortune 500 company, these are the passions that Lora wanted to emphasize in her life and share with others. As a working mother, Lora found her most satisfying moments were exploring the local food landscape and providing nutritious, fresh, and delicious meals to her two daughters. She is excited to help strengthen the local Apex community and give others better access to fresh, local ingredients, while supporting local food producers, sustainable farming, and small businesses.
Family, Community, and Local Foods
After leaving a 20 year career at a Fortune 500 company, these are the passions that Lora wanted to emphasize in her life and share with others. As a working mother, Lora found her most satisfying moments were exploring the local food landscape and providing nutritious, fresh, and delicious meals to her two daughters. She is excited to help strengthen the local Apex community and give others better access to fresh, local ingredients, while supporting local food producers, sustainable farming, and small businesses.
|
|
Kira – Media Director, Ellie – Creative Spirit
Kira and Ellie are the encouragement and the drive that made ELK Local Foods a reality. Kira is gaining valuable experience creating and maintaining the website and social media accounts. After a few years out on her own, she plans to open her own café. Ellie is full of creative vision and passion for projects. She is excited to help run the store and help our customers.
Kira and Ellie are the encouragement and the drive that made ELK Local Foods a reality. Kira is gaining valuable experience creating and maintaining the website and social media accounts. After a few years out on her own, she plans to open her own café. Ellie is full of creative vision and passion for projects. She is excited to help run the store and help our customers.