Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler climbs down from the cab of an NCDA&CS tractor-trailer at the launch of the Got to Be NC program July 14, 2005.
On July 14, 2005, Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler officially “rolled out” the department’s new identity campaign for N.C. agricultural products — Got to Be NC. He did it by driving up to a press conference at the State Farmers Market in a tractor-trailer outfitted with the campaign’s logo.
The department created Got to Be NC as a complement to its long-running Goodness Grows in North Carolina program. The idea behind Got to Be NC was to further raise awareness of food and other agricultural products grown or produced in North Carolina.
Got to Be NC and Goodness Grows work with farmers and companies of all sizes. The program’s 3,000 members include start-ups and established businesses offering a range of products from farm-fresh crops and meats to processed items such as salsas and beverages.
Over the past eight years, 
Got to Be NC has been used to market products throughout North Carolina and across the United States. The logo has become a familiar site at restaurants, grocery stores, farms, farmers markets and roadside produce stands. Commodity associations and other ag groups also have partnered with the department to place the campaign’s messages on tractor-trailers operated by the Food Distribution Division.
Some of these commodity groups have worked with the department on special Got to Be NC promotions, both domestically and in countries such as Canada, China, France, Germany and the United Kingdom.
Other promotions, such as Dig Into Local — 90 Day Challenge and the Got to Be NC Competition Dining Series, have focused on the use of North Carolina foods in restaurants.
As the Got to Be NC campaign begins its ninth year, the department’s marketing staff is working with the U.S. Department of Defense to increase the presence of N.C. produce and other foods in military commissaries.
If you’re interested in learning more about how Goodness Grows in North Carolina and Got to Be NC can help your farm or business, visit www.gottobenc.com and click on “Become a Member.”