Source: NCDA&CS, 7/6/15

Thirteen restaurants and food businesses from across the state are competing in the inaugural “Dig into Local”
Best Menu NC contest sponsored by the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

The competition highlights restaurants and foodservice businesses that feature locally sourced ingredients on
their menus. Two meal delivery services, Zone 7 Foods and modPALEO, are in the competition.

Menus will be judged on several criteria, including: clearly identifying N.C. agricultural products, farms and
manufacturers; highlighting seasonal produce; identifying items with unique regional connections; offering N.C.
wine, beer and spirit selections on the menu; including multiple courses featuring N.C. ingredients; and offering
a good balance of N.C. products across protein, grain and produce categories.

Judges will visit each location through September to evaluate menus. Online menus also will be reviewed
during the process. The top 10 menus will be recognized in October, and cash prizes will be awarded to the
top five restaurants.

The “Dig into Local” Best Menu NC contest is part of an expanding array of foodservice programs offered by
the department through its Got to Be NC and Savor NC marketing programs. More information about the
contest, including a complete list of participants, is available at www.gottobenc.com/DigIntoLocal.