Cooperative Extension awarded Tobacco Trust Fund Grant
On October 2, 2020, Lenoir County Cooperative Extension was notified by Representative Chris Humphrey and Senator Jim Perry that the Lenoir County Farmers Market has been awarded $91,604.38 for the Commercial/ Community Kitchen in the Rick Holder Farmers Market Annex. The grant was awarded by the North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund Commission which supports the agricultural industry, impacting rural communities and stimulating economic development. The Annex building was a gift from the Harvey family.
The NC Tobacco Trust Fund Commission was established by the General Assembly to assist current/former tobacco farmers, former quote holders, persons engaged in tobacco-related businesses, individuals displaced from tobacco-related employment, and tobacco product component businesses in NC that have been affected by the adverse effects of the Master Settlement Agreement (MSA). The NC Tobacco Trust Fund Commission can disburse funds through compensatory programs and qualified agriculture programs.
The Lenoir County Farmers Market and the Rick Holder Farmers Market Annex have long been supported by various TTF Grants since 2010. Ranging from new market bathrooms, to paving the driveway and parking areas, to the beginning stages of the Lenoir County Farmers Market Annex Commercial/Community Kitchen Project.
The Rick Holder Annex Commercial/Community Kitchen will provide access to a kitchen for LCFM vendors and potential vendors and local business to produce new and/or additional products that will enhance the products currently offered at the Farmers Market, thus generating additional income and opportunities for farmers and food producers, and increase sales for current vendors.
The available inspected kitchen will allow for the growth and development of potential new food processing businesses, and will also serve as a catering kitchen for event rentals of the Lenoir County Farmers Market. Local chef's and restaurant owners, Lenoir Community College Culinary Program, and UNC Healthcare Lenoir Nutritional Programming Staff have all expressed interest in using the kitchen.
The kitchen will provide an easy access facility for healthy eating educational activities, cooking demonstrations, and workshops using locally available products, and to teach preparation of simple, healthy meals. the Community/Commercial is located downtown, and within walking distance of the Department of Social Services, the Lenoir County Health Department, Kinston Community Health, and two youth and adult serving community centers.
It will serve as a community facility for preparing food service for special events at the LCFM. Rentals of the Commercial/Community inspected kitchen will also provide a revenue stream. Several times we have rented our facility to private citizens, and community organizations for special events, bands and dining, fund raising, and even wedding receptions. Currently food for these events must all be brought in, since there are no kitchen facilities available for a caterer or for food preparation.
Another benefit of the Commercial/Community Kitchen project will be to serve as a resource kitchen during hurricanes or other natural disasters, to prepare and provide food for first responders, volunteers and the general community. The Annex is located across from the parking area where Emergency and Military personnel meet for transport to duties during disaster. In the past volunteer groups, including churches and community organizations have set up food distribution areas in the same vicinity, utilizing the inspected kitchen would add an extra measure of food safety to the distribution.
The Lenoir County Farmers Market would like to thank the Tobacco Trust Fund Commission as well as all of the local support from Chefs, LCC Culinary Program, Cherry Energy, UNC Lenoir Health Care, Chef and the Farmer, ALSCO, Noon Rotary of Kinston, many private citizens, and numerous others.
