Visitors wait to enter the N.C. Specialty Foods exhibit at the 2011 Southern Christmas Show in Charlotte last month.
In a state where agriculture is the top industry, it seems appropriate that the “buy local” movement should apply to food products as well as other merchandise. It’s no surprise, then, that the N.C. Specialty Foods Association exhibit at the 2011 Southern Christmas Show did so well in its sophomore year.
Twenty-five local food companies partnered with the NCDA&CS to participate in the 2011 Southern Christmas Show in Charlotte last month. About 100,000 people were able to sample and purchase 165 different products provided by the participating exhibit vendors. All of the products were manufactured in North Carolina.
This is the second year the department has participated in the show. According to NCDA&CS marketing specialist Myrtle Earley, this year’s show was even better than last year. The exhibit added six more vendors and 200 square feet of additional floor space. Sales were up 50 percent compared with last year, and several participating companies had to send extra products during the show’s 11-day run because they sold out.
If you were unable to make it to the Southern Christmas Show, you can still purchase holiday items from members of the N.C. Specialty Foods Association. You can find more information about participating vendors and download a free association catalog at www.ncspecialtyfoods.org.