specialty foods

Celebrate local foods at the Food Lion Local Goodness Marketplace

by Heather Overton | May 10, 2019

It’s time to get ready for the 2019 Got to Be NC Festival at the State Fairgrounds in Raleigh. This event combines tractors, food, music, a carnival and kids activities with nearly 100 North Carolina food companies, breweries and wineries sampling and selling their products. “We’ve got quite a few new companies participating this year,” […]

Winners named in N.C. Specialty Foods Association’s 2018 Product Competition

by Paul Jones | Sep 27, 2018

The N.C. Specialty Foods Association announced winners in its 2018 Product Competition, held Sept. 7 in Bermuda Run. This year’s competition was one of the largest yet, with 82 entries submitted across seven categories. Mike D’s BBQ was named Grand Champion for its All Purpose Dry Rub. The Durham-based company offers award-winning products that are […]

News Roundup: July 2-8

by Heather Overton | Jul 8, 2016

Each week we round up the latest N.C. agricultural headlines from news outlets across the state and country, as well as excerpts from the stories. “Senate backs bill to backs bill to label genetically modified food,” Charlotte Observer: Food packages nationwide would for the first time be required to carry labels listing genetically modified ingredients under […]

Today’s Topic: Flavors of Carolina shows have been matching food businesses with buyers for more than 30 years

by Brian Long | Mar 8, 2016

Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler sits down each week with Southern Farm Network’s Rhonda Garrison to discuss “Today’s Topic.” The Flavors of Carolina food shows have been helping North Carolina food companies connect with retailers, restaurants and food services since 1982. The goal of the shows is to encourage food buyers to purchase locally grown and processed foods. Offering a […]

Show some Valentine’s Day love and buy local flowers, chocolate and wine

by Heather Overton | Feb 10, 2014

This Valentine’s Day, show some love to your sweetheart AND North Carolina by purchasing locally grown flowers, chocolates and wine. The National Retail Federation shows that after greeting cards, candy and flowers are the most gifted items for the holiday. The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has a few suggestions for shopping for […]

Specialty foods showcased at Southern Christmas Show

by Paul Jones | Nov 20, 2013

If you attend the final weekend of the Southern Christmas Show in Charlotte, be on the lookout for @ The Market N.C. Specialty Foods exhibit. The store features more than 200 items produced locally by 34 food businesses from across the state. You’ll find a variety of products for your upcoming holiday festivities, including cooking […]

Food Business Almanac: Breaking down a UPC Code

by Annette Dunlap | Aug 30, 2013

NCDA&CS food business specialist Annette Dunlap offers resources that agribusiness owners and food entrepreneurs can use to grow and manage their business. Annette is available for free one-on-one consultations and can assist business owners with financial and market planning through the agribusiness development section. She can be reached at annette.dunlap@ncagr.gov. httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNnGzwBH-1o UPC Codes, or Universal […]

Food Business Almanac: Product Design

by Annette Dunlap | Jun 24, 2013

NCDA&CS food business specialist Annette Dunlap offers resources that agribusiness owners and food entrepreneurs can use to grow and manage their business. Annette is available for free one-on-one consultations and can assist business owners with financial and market planning through the agribusiness development section. She can be reached at annette.dunlap@ncagr.gov. The old adage that a […]

The Big Tasty is looking for next great N.C. food product

by Paul Jones | Aug 25, 2012

If you’ve been looking for the push to start a new food business or expand your existing product line, The Big Tasty contest may be the incentive you need. Blue Ridge Food Ventures and Mountain BizWorks recently announced the contest made possible through support from the N.C. Tobacco Trust Fund. The Big Tasty contest is […]

Polka Dot Bake Shop gets gold at Fancy Food Show

by Paul Jones | Jul 2, 2012

Polka Dot Bake Shop’s Sweet Potato Crackers, Cracked Black Pepper Flavor earned the Charlotte-based company a Sofi Gold award at the 2012 Summer Fancy Food Show in Washington, D.C. The award, which stands for specialty outstanding food innovation, is the top honor in the $75 billion specialty food industry and is presented by the National […]

Food Business Almanac: Food safety is everyone’s business

by Annette Dunlap | Jun 6, 2012

NCDA&CS food business specialist Annette Dunlap offers resources that small-business owners and food entrepreneurs can use to grow and manage their business. Annette is available for free one-on-one consultations and can assist small-business owners with financial and market planning through the agribusiness development section. She can be reached at annette.dunlap@ncagr.gov. According to the Center for […]

Flavors of Carolina showcases best of local products

by Paul Jones | Mar 23, 2011

Last week, the annual Flavors of Carolina food show was held in Raleigh. You could tell a lot about the event, which was held at the Hilton North Raleigh, by looking around the hotel parking lot. Cars, trucks and SUVs were covered with window decals and bumper stickers displaying locally produced sauces, snacks, wines and […]

Admin