The Sampson County United Way’s “Outstanding in Our Fields” fundraiser is just around the corner, and as the five local chefs chosen by United Way to prepare the dinner continue to work on creating their courses, they are working with quality ingredients from right here in Sampson County.
To the delight of United Way and their five chefs, all of the food for the highly anticipated dinner event is being donated from local farms and businesses.
Among the farmers contributing to the fundraiser is Roger Lane of Lane’s Asperagus. He is donating five pounds of his crop. “It sounded like a good fundraiser to me,” said Lane, adding that he was previously aware of United Way’s charitable efforts. “I think it is fantastic that they are using local foods. The more that use them the merrier.”
Southern Produce Distrubutors, Inc of Faison is donating — 100 three-pound bags of sweet potatoes — to United Way for the dinner event, as well. “It’s a good cause and we are happy to support the community and agriculture in this way,” shared Kelley Precythe with Southern Produce. “North Carolina is all about agriculture so it’s great that United Way is using local products.”
Sen. Brent Jackson and the Jackson Farming Company of Autryville is among the fundraiser’s top contributors, donating 28 pints of strawberries. “United Way does great work and we are happy to help out and be a part of it,” said Jackson.
“I think it’s fantastic that they’re using local foods. I’m all about local and it’s good to see that they are too,” attested the senator. “We are always happy to support the local charitable efforts and this seemed like a great way to do that.”
Strawberries will not be the only local fruit used in the fundraiser’s dinner as Hannah Forrest Blueberry Farms of Delway is also contributing 60 pounds of their blueberries. “We were contacted by United Way and thought it was a good opportunity to support the community and our agriculture,” said Amie Cavenaugh-Eakins with the farm. “It’s not just about us; it’s about supporting any of the local growers. It’s a way for local producers to get their produce and their names out into the community a little more while supporting the community.”
Another big supporter of United Way’s fundraiser is Prestage Farms. “This event has turned out to be so much more than just a fundraiser, and Prestage is very proud to be a part of it. Sampson County is the largest and most diverse agricultural county in the state and having an event like this that not only raises funds for such a worthy cause but also highlights the rich agricultural economy of our area is truly special,” shared Prestage public relations director Summer Lanier on behalf of the Prestage family. “Whether large or small, producer or distributor, it takes all of these groups of people working together in order for us all to enjoy the safe, nutritious, abundant and affordable food supply we have come to expect when we go to the grocery store. Events like this that highlight the wealth of our local agricultural products are truly vital in maintaining the link between the farm and the fork.”
The Sampson County United Way’s “Outstanding in Our Fields” fundraiser will be held Saturday, April 20, at the Prestage Hunting Lodge located in the South River Hunting Preserve near Harrells. Tickets are sold out.
For information about United Way and their work, please visit their website at www.unitedwaysampson.org.
Lauren Williams can be reached at 910-592-8137, ext. 117 or via email at lwilliams@civitasmedia.com.
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