Source:  NCDA&CS, 4/5/11

Join northwestern N.C. farmers at the Dig Into Local food show on Saturday, April 16, at the Hayes Performing Arts Center in Blowing Rock.

Area farmers who sell directly to the public through roadside stands, farmers markets, Community Supported Agriculture subscriptions and online sales will offer goods for sampling and selling from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Farmers also will be taking orders for later crops, or signing households up for CSA shares coming this summer. Admission to the food show is free.

“Agriculture is the leading industry in North Carolina, generating more than $74 billion for the economy, and when a farmer sells directly to a customer, both parties win,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “The customer gets the freshest, locally grown product at the peak of flavor, and the farmer returns more profits to his or her farm.”

The Dig Into Local show will be held under a giant tent outside the Hayes Center. It is taking place in conjunction with the Fire on the Rock cooking competition as part of the Blue Ridge Wine and Food Festival. Bluegrass band The Grass Cats will perform at the food show.

Producers wishing to participate in the show should contact Dee Bartlett with the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services at (919) 707-3106. Participation is limited to North Carolina farmers who sell directly to the public. There is no fee to participate.

Dig Into Local is a series of food shows produced by the department’s Got to Be NC market development program to promote local fare. The shows are funded by a grant from the Golden LEAF Foundation, and are intended to increase the sales of locally grown farm goods and raise the profitability of farming through direct sales. The first show was held last year in Raleigh, with additional shows this month in Asheville and Wilmington.