This award provides funding to Feast Down East, Inc. (FDE) to scale up its food hub operations to meet the increasing demand from both existing and new farmers in the Southeastern region. The project provides increased refrigeration & storage for agricultural products at the FDE Food Hub in Burgaw and the Harrelson Center satellite location in Wilmington. It is also providing area farmers with options to increase distribution of their products and develop a more efficient and expanded distribution operation with partners such as Men and Women United for Youth and Families, Bladen County Cooperative Extension, and other organizations. The New Hanover County satellite location provides storage, sales, and a distribution outlet for Brunswick, Columbus, and Robeson Counties; and the Pender County location is deepening opportunities for farmers and agribusiness in Beaufort, Bladen, Carteret, Cumberland, Duplin, Onslow, Sampson and Wayne counties. Golden LEAF funds are being used for refrigeration and other equipment, renovations, and limited operating costs.
