Source: NCDA&CS, 5/5/21

Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler recently named Walter Beal of Kittrell as the new director of the Food Distribution Division in the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Beal replaces Gary Gay, who retired at the end of April after 36 years with the department.

           “2020 was a record-breaking year for the Food Distribution Division as food banks and feeding groups saw unprecedented community need,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler.  “Walter has been an integral part of the ramped-up efforts to get food out to those who need it and I know he’s well-prepared to meet the challenges of the Food Distribution Division.”  

           Beal’s previous experience includes 12 years of work in warehouse operations for Roses Discount Stores, two years in management with Royal Home Fashions and more than 18 years operating his own general contracting business. He has been with NCDA&CS for nine years, starting as a storeroom manager in March of 2012 and promoted five months later to warehouse manager. He remained in that position for more than eight years and was promoted again this past December to become assistant director of commodity distribution.

Beal was born and raised in Vance County where both sides of his family farmed, and his father delivered milk for Pine State Creamery for more than three decades. He spent summers helping two uncles harvest tobacco. He and his wife of almost 40 years, Beverly, have a daughter, Jessica. Beal is active in the community, serving with the Lions Club, coaching high school sports, serving on the PTO and booster club and serving as Clerk of Session and as an Elder in his church for many years.

           The Food Distribution Division contributes to the nutritional well-being of North Carolina residents by distributing USDA foods to eligible recipient agencies such as food banks, soup kitchens and schools. The division operates two state warehouses for the purpose of distributing all USDA foods allocated to six different programs in North Carolina. Food Distribution also operates the N.C. Farm to School program, which gives schools the option to use USDA funds to purchase local produce from North Carolina farmers.