On Friday, June 26th, legislators and business leaders will visit Pamlico Shores Produce in Hyde County to observe a program built to eliminate food waste and fight hunger across the state of North Carolina.

A new potato bagger has been installed to rescue lower grade potatoes and culls that would otherwise be destroyed. An estimated 1 million pounds of bagged potatoes will be distributed through North Carolina’s 7 food banks.

 

“We are launching a state wide initiative. This is a pilot program that the state association of Food Banks is partnering with them on. The first part of the event will be to launch this. That will kind of lead into a new discussion with industry leaders. Bob Steinburg will be attending. He is co-chair of the House Agriculture Committee,” said Annya Soucy,Director of Communications and Special Events at the Food Bank of the Albemarle.

Soucy mentioned that 125 million pounds of food in North Carolina that is wasted on a consistent basis.

Soucy also mentioned that large opportunity exists at the state level to eliminate food waste noting that North Carolina has a five-year average of 219 million lbs of surplus edible available crops each year both from unharvested and harvested not sold varieties.
“We are just looking to figure out from partnerships with farmers, legislators, and business leaders how to rescue the millions of pounds of food that go undistributed to people,” said Soucy.

Pamlico Shore Produce is described from their website as “the culmination of a dream of two lifelong friends. Dawson Pugh and Hunter Gibbs grew up farming in Hyde County.Both men have a passion for agriculture along with years of farming experience passed down through generations. Hunter and Dawson are dedicated to producing the best quality product while utilizing the latest technology and farming innovation.”

Soucy explained at that Pamlico Shores Produce produces potatoes and most recently onions.

“They are a very large operation. Their food goes across the nation and I believe they are working with some Canadian companies as well,” said Soucy.

After a tour of the facility and farm operations, guests will have lunch and listen to 3 panel discussions on topics regarding the agriculture, feeding the hungry and legislative initiatives. Scheduled speakers include Mr. Larry Wooten (President of NC Farm Bureau), Dr. Richard Reich (NCDA), Rep. Bob Steinburg (R-Chowan)  and Mr. Dick Tunnell among others.

The event will begins at 10AM at Pamlico Shores Produce located at 14166 Hwy 264, Swan Quarter, NC 27885. The luncheon and panel discussions will take place following the Farm Tour at Swan Quarter Fire Department, 25 Oyster Creek Rd., Swan Quarter, NC 27885.