In mid-August, NCDA&CS staff members Sim McIver, Brenna Favara, Ryan Rhodes and Sara Lilley visited B&B Pecan Processors and Elizabeth’s Pecans in Turkey for a comprehensive tour hosted by owners Alan Bundy and Brantley Hattrich. The visit included several key touchpoints: the pecan grove, candy-making and chocolate processing facilities, shelling operations, distribution warehouse and the newly opened 3,000-square-foot Elizabeth’s Pecans retail store. The store features not only its signature soft pecan brittle and chocolate-coated pecans, but also locally crafted pottery, quilts and Southern-inspired home décor.
Alan Bundy’s passion for his business was evident throughout the visit. He credited NCDA&CS for playing a pivotal role in his success, stating, “NCDA&CS has helped me from the beginning and connected resources that my business needed to succeed and grow.” Alan shared how specific NCDA&CS employees worked with him one-on-one to address challenges and scale operations. The Flavors of Carolina show, hosted annually by NCDA&CS, was instrumental in connecting B&B with buyers, growers, and distribution partners, especially as their reach expanded to over 1,500 stores across multiple states. 
Founded in 2000, B&B Pecan Processors began as a small startup distributing local products from Alan’s family orchard. Today, they manage over 250 items from more than 100 vendors, serving regional and military commissaries across NC and SC. Elizabeth’s Pecans, their retail brand, continues to delight customers with a wide variety of pecan-based treats and seasonal gift baskets.
As proud members of both the Got to Be NC program and the N.C. Specialty Foods Association, B&B benefits from statewide marketing support, networking opportunities and access to exclusive events that promote local food businesses. These memberships help amplify visibility, connect producers with retailers, and foster collaboration across North Carolina’s vibrant food economy.
The visit also included discussions around rising chocolate prices, now nearing $10,000 per metric ton, and how global cocoa supply challenges are impacting production. Despite these hurdles, B&B remains committed to quality and innovation, with future collaboration plans that hopefully include retail sampling events.
This site visit showcased the power of partnership, perseverance and the deep-rooted value of supporting local. B&B Pecan Processors is a shining example of what’s possible when passion meets purpose, and when North Carolina agriculture stands behind its entrepreneurs.
To visit their retail store, visit Elizabeth’s Pecans here.
For more information about their collaborative processing facilities, visit B&B Processors here.