covid-19

Department team recognized for food supply improvements that will last decades

by Brandon Herring | Jun 21, 2021

Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler recently recognized a team of employees that has had a huge impact on the state by helping to fix a food supply chokepoint. It’s a problem that became more obvious in the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic – the state’s meat processors couldn’t keep up with demand. When the pandemic disrupted […]

Phase 3 of IMPEC grants being offered. A total of $6 million available this round for projects aimed at Increasing Meat Production Efficiency and Capacity.

by Heather Overton | Apr 27, 2021

Summary: Independent meat and seafood processors have until May 14 to apply for Phase 3 of the Increasing Meat Production, Efficiency and Capacity grant program. A total of $6 million is available through the program, and can include value-added projects. Earlier this year, listeners may remember that I gave an update on some of the […]

NCDA&CS launches farmworker quarantine reimbursement program for the 2021 growing season.

by Heather Overton | Apr 20, 2021

Summary: New NCDA&CS program will reimburse growers for food and lodging expenses for H2A farmworkers who must quarantine due to COVID-19. The $2 million in funding for the program comes through federal CARES Act money distributed to states. I am happy to report that this past week we began a new reimbursement program for growers […]

IMPEC grants already producing results for processors and farmers

by Heather Overton | Jan 26, 2021

Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler sits down each week with Southern Farm Network’s Mike Davis to discuss “Today’s Topic.” As 2020 came to a close, our department was finishing up work to finalize all the documentation for $20.25 million in grants for our Increasing Meat Production Efficiency and Capacity (IMPEC) program. The money for these grants […]

Pandemic prompts installation of ‘air cleaning technology’ in fairgrounds buildings

by Brandon Herring | Jan 25, 2021

Several buildings on the grounds of the N.C. State Fair and the N.C. Mountain State Fair/WNC Agricultural Center now have advanced technology added to their air filtration systems. The technology comes with new equipment that’s been installed with health and safety in mind, as a direct result of the coronavirus pandemic. You could think of […]

More than ever, “Bob’s List” helps school nutrition programs feed children

by Brandon Herring | Jan 19, 2021

As previously mentioned on this blog, the Food Distribution Division was busier than ever in 2020. An extra way the division provides food to schools has also been busier than ever during the coronavirus pandemic. It’s called Bob’s List, and it’s enabled many school nutrition programs to keep their operations on budget and get food […]

Division recognized for keeping food safe and available during extraordinary times

by Brandon Herring | Jan 7, 2021

Sometimes extraordinary actions are obvious – a passerby saving someone from a burning building or a stranger volunteering to donate a kidney to someone in need. The list of good deeds could be endless. However, sometimes you have to look a little deeper or have some inside knowledge to understand that what appears to be […]

IMPEC grant has major impact on meat and seafood processors

by Paul Jones | Dec 30, 2020

In September 2020, Commissioner of Agriculture Steve Troxler announced the creation of the Increasing Meat Production Efficiency and Capacity (IMPEC) grant program, administered by the NCDA&CS. The $20.25 million grant program aims to strengthen the meat supply chain and ensure consumers have adequate sources of protein. A year ago, the average shopper may not have […]

Food Distribution Division meets challenge of getting more food to more people

by Brandon Herring | Dec 24, 2020

To say the NCDA&CS Food Distribution Division has had two monumental years may seem like a bit of exaggeration. The numbers make it clear though. Division director Gary Gay says the division has nearly doubled the amount of food its moved through its warehouses in the past two years. Some of the increase obviously came […]

Today’s Topic: Deadlines fast approaching for agricultural COVID-19 relief programs.

by Heather Overton | Oct 6, 2020

Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler sits down each week with Southern Farm Network’s Mike Davis to discuss “Today’s Topic.” The deadlines for three agricultural COVID-19 relief programs close on Oct. 12. Farmers and operators are urged to get applications completed.

Today’s Topic: DHHS recently issued guidance for fall-related events, including agritourism operations. With the start of fall today, it’s a great time to get outdoors to enjoy allowable agritourism activities.

by Heather Overton | Sep 22, 2020

Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler sits down each week with Southern Farm Network’s Mike Davis to discuss “Today’s Topic.” As the calendar officially shifts to fall, you’ll start to see more agritourism activities taking place. DHHS recently issued guidance for fall-related events for ensuring safe operations. Summary of talking points: Today is officially the first day […]

Today’s Topic: Coronavirus Food Assistance Program deadline extended to Sept. 11; some specialty crops now included.

by Heather Overton | Sep 1, 2020

Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler sits down each week with Southern Farm Network’s Mike Davis to discuss “Today’s Topic.” The deadline for farmers to apply for the USDA’s Coronavirus Food Assistance Program has been extended to Sept. 11. In addition, some 40 additional specialty crops are now eligible.

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