Food & Beverage

With a rich history in agriculture and food production, eastern North Carolina is well-positioned to support food and beverage-related manufacturers and distributors. From the creation of Pepsi to the culinary items produced by award-winning chefs, eastern North Carolina is home to a thriving food and beverage scene. When it comes to agriculture, more than 60% of the nation’s supply of sweet potatoes comes from North Carolina with many of those farms right here in the East.

With plentiful assets, eastern North Carolina is a hub for food-related industry:

• Abundant water resources
• Strong and skilled talent pipeline
• Top-ranked training programs

Food Commercialization Center

Development is underway for the Eastern North Carolina Food Commercialization Center. Located in Pitt County, this 30,000 SF state-of-the-art facility will provide essential food processing services for farmers, food manufacturers, and entrepreneurs in a seven-county region. It is expected to be fully operational in 2023 with many highlights including:

• FDA approved and FSMA compliant
• Entrepreneurial assistance offered
• Co-manufacturing services
• Packaging lines available
• Warehouse and distribution capabilities
• Space for anchor tenant

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