‘Produce Lady’ program at N.C. Research Campus receives $91,000 grant

By EMILY FORD, Salisbury Post

KANNAPOLIS, N.C. — A program that teaches people how to use local fruits, vegetables and other farm products has received a grant worth nearly $100,000 to expand.

The Produce Lady program, based at the , promotes North Carolina produce with online videos and personal appearances at farmers markets across the state.

"The Produce Lady has gained quite a following," Leah Chester-Davis, coordinator of communications and community outreach for N.C. MarketReady in Kannapolis, said in a statement. "Many people visit farmers markets just to meet her." Brenda Sutton, director of Cooperative Extension in Rockingham County, portrays the Produce Lady.

The $91,937 grant from the N.C. Tobacco Trust Fund Commission will encourage more consumers to buy from North Carolina farmers, which will benefit the state’s economy and improve health, Chester-Davis said.

For details, read the

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