On March 2 at the Raulston Arboretum in Raleigh, approximately 20 North Carolina growers and buyers sat across tables from each other, in a kind of business development speed-dating.  They had eight minutes to decide if they were potentially a good fit for each others' business.  Attendees included produce farmers from all over the state and buyers including Lowes Foods and Sysco/Fresh Point.

Farmer Jeff Bender of Bender Farms in Norlina, NC, explained why he made time to attend the event.  "We're not set up to be huge growers.  I'd rather raise a smaller acreage and sell it to someone I know.  So much of it is relationships -- something like this gives you the chance to sit down face-to-face  and make a deal."

Based on both farmer and buyer evaluations of the event, everyone agreed that their time was well spent, and the event would likely lead to new business partnerships. Kevin O'Connell of  The Produce Box said, "The initial conversation is the hardest one to have.  The opportunity to be face-to-face is key: you may not be able to finish [the conversation] but you can look someone in the eye and find out if you are a good fit in a short amount of time."

NCGT and the NC 10% Campaign will sponsor another Farmer-Buyer Connections Event in late July.  For more information, or if you would like to attend, please contact Abbey Piner at NCGT partner the NC 10% Campaign.