In North Carolina, we often take for granted the humble sweet potato. It’s a Southern staple and a part of many family dinners here. In other parts of the world, however, the sweet potato is a relatively new product. That’s why the American Sweet Potato Marketing Institute launched International Sweet Potato Week last year to inform […]
If you’ve ever been curious about starting your own fish or shellfish farm, you won’t want to miss the annual N.C. Aquaculture Development Conference. The event is a great introduction to North Carolina’s growing aquaculture and mariculture industries. Activities include behind-the-scenes tours of current farms; educational workshops for new and veteran operators; an aquaponics workshop; […]
North Carolina is home to 525 vineyards, more than 180 wineries and five designated American Viticultural Areas. What better way to celebrate Small Business Saturday than to take a trip to a local winery and support an industry that consists almost entirely of small business owners? Wine lovers have something special to celebrate this holiday […]
This weekend, seafood lovers will flock to Morehead City for the annual N.C. Seafood Festival. The three-day event features live music, cooking demonstrations, and of course, a lot of seafood. One of the goals of the Seafood Festival is to drive awareness about the state’s commercial fishing industry. That’s why Got to Be NC is […]
What is your idea of a perfect burger? For Jenni Field, it’s a mouth-watering combination of ground beef and pulled pork, featuring more than 10 ingredients from North Carolina. Field, the creator of Pastry Chef Online, made the Got to Be NC Burger as part of a nationwide food-blogger challenge for National Burger Month in May. […]
The department’s International Marketing section partnered with the N.C. SweetPotato Commission in July to sponsor a food truck introducing N.C. sweet potatoes and sweet potato recipes in Germany. The food truck traveled across Germany, stopping at festivals in Augsburg, Stuttgart, Berlin, Hamburg, Dortmund and Cologne. A member of the food truck team reports sweet potato […]
Winning the N.C. Born and Bred category has long been a source of pride for exhibitors at the N.C. State Fair and N.C. Mountain State Fair. The category is a testament to the quality of cattle, goats, sheep and swine that are truly homegrown. Starting in 2016, the winning animals will be known as Got […]
Looking for something sweet for your special someone this Valentine’s Day? Look no further than your regional farmers market. The markets in Asheville, Colfax, Charlotte and Raleigh are open year-round, and have a great selection of special treats for your Valentine. From N.C. wines and cheeses to fresh meats and produce, you can find all […]
Aquaculture, or commercial fish production, is one of several aspects of the state’s diverse $76-billion agriculture industry. From trout and tilapia to catfish and clams, aquaculture has been growing steadily in recent years and now contributes more than $58 million to the state’s economy. In February, the aquaculture industry will meet in New Bern for […]
Whether you’re hosting your entire family for a full-fledged holiday meal, bringing a dessert to the office party, or making appetizers for New Year’s Eve festivities, remember to check out the great selection of farm-fresh ingredients available at your regional farmers market. The four state-operated farmers markets in Asheville, Charlotte, Colfax and Raleigh are open […]
We’re just weeks away from the start of the holiday baking season, and it seems like most holiday gatherings aren’t complete without enjoying some pecan pie. Pecans are very versatile cooking ingredients. Beyond pies, pecans are great for encrusting meats; as a topping for fresh salads; or covered in chocolate. They also can be enjoyed […]
The N.C. Specialty Foods Association kicked off its fifth year exhibiting at the Southern Christmas Show this week. The association’s shop, “@ The Market,” features more than two dozen N.C. companies. “We’re selling the best products North Carolina has to offer,” said Myrtle Earley, an NCDA&CS marketing specialist who works with the Specialty Foods Association […]