Today’s Topic: Governor’s Food Manufacturing Task Force releases final report, recommendations

by | Apr 26, 2016

Todays-Topic

Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler sits down each week with Southern Farm Network’s Rhonda Garrison to discuss “Today’s Topic.”

Note: Post has been updated to include a link to the task force’s report.

The N.C. Food Manufacturing Task Force on April 21 released its final report and recommendations aimed at boosting food manufacturing in the state. View report: NC Food Manufacturing Task Force Final Report

Created through Executive Order by Gov. Pat McCrory and chaired by Dr. Richard Linton, dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at N.C. State University, the task force’s core leadership also included Commissioner Troxler, Lt. Gov. Dan Forest and state Commerce Secretary John Skvarla. All total, 35 task force members with expertise in food manufacturing, agriculture and agribusiness worked since last summer on a plan focused on bringing more food manufacturing companies to North Carolina.

The task force was divided into four subcommittees, each focusing on a specific area: infrastructure needs and assets for the food manufacturing supply chain; food manufacturing needs assessment; business recruitment; and communications and advocacy.

Commissioner Troxler says food manufacturing could create more jobs for rural areas where they are needed and create more markets for specialty crops being grown in the state. “We’ve come up with a plan to achieve the goal,” he says.

To listen to Commissioner Troxler and Rhonda discuss the Food Manufacturing Task Force’s recommendations, click on the audio player below.

[Audio:/wp-content/uploads/Troxler_4-26-16.mp3|titles=Today’s Topic for April 26]

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