Last week, in advance of Thanksgiving, Rocky Mount-based Ripe Revival joined NC Chamber Cornerstone Member, the NC SweetPotato Commission (NCSPC) to demonstrate what “Unity Through Community” looks like firsthand by donating 900 18-pound turkeys, 900 3-pound bags of sweetpotatoes, 900 12-pound bags of additional vegetables, and 900 sets of a dozen eggs to families in need throughout Eastern North Carolina.

Community organizations received the donated meals at the event, which were then distributed to the families. Each turkey, bag of sweetpotatoes and vegetables was able to feed about 12 people and the total donated products were able to feed more than 10,800 people combined.

“We are thankful for the opportunity to give back to those in our communities needing a little extra help this holiday season. Agriculture is community-centric and loves to give back,” said Michelle Grainger, executive director of the NCSPC.

Turkeys were donated by Beast Philanthropy and Jennie O; sweetpotatoes and additional vegetables were donated by Nash Produce, L&M Family Farms and Hickory Meadows Organics; and eggs were donated by Braswell Family Farms.

“Growers, packers and shippers of the NC sweetpotato industry are glad to support our local communities by providing the state’s vegetable and one of the world’s top superfoods, the sweetpotato,” continued Grainger. “We will always find a way to go the extra mile when doing good is the result.”

Interesting facts:
• North Carolina has ranked #1 in sweetpotato production since the 1970s and ranks second in turkey production.
• According to the American Farm Bureau, food prices for this Thanksgiving will likely be in line with the USDA’s overall forecast for food price increases for the year, which is between 3-4%
• 2020 price per pound for a turkey was $1.14 (turkey breasts were $1.80/pound)
• 2021 price per pound for a turkey is $1.35 (turkey breasts are projected to cost $3.45/pound)