Sometimes we hear people make statements like, “I don’t eat any processed foods!” …and then open up a Greek yogurt or order hummus with pita bread… and all of those foods are processed. What I think some health gurus are trying to say when they make that sort of pronouncement is in fact, “Avoid or limit foods that have been highly processed and include high amounts of fats, sodium (salt) or sugars.” 

Taste of Local, Ingles in Weaverville. 140 Weaver Blvd. Thursday, November 15 • 3-6 p.m.

Taste of Local, Ingles in Weaverville. 140 Weaver Blvd. Thursday, November 15 • 3-6 p.m.

Is the rotisserie chicken at Ingles hormone-free?

Ever wonder how many local ( Western NC) products we sell at Ingles? 

Over the years I have asked the question, “What does local mean to you when we talk about food?” Whether I’ve been in front of a group of students at a university, speaking to fellow dietitians or business people or presenting to the public at a  community center or hospital it’s always interesting to hear the responses:

What is “Taste of Local?” Your opportunity to meet some of the local farmers, vendors and artisan food, beer and cider makes that supply Ingles, sample products, shop local and support local businesses!

Taste of Local Ingles in West Waynesville • 1678 Brown Ave #1. Thursday, July 26 • 3-6 p.m.

Ingles Markets puts a priority on supporting local farmers and vendors by purchasing produce, grocery and meat items from local and regional growers and producers. Recently I interviewed Marlowe Vaughan the Executive Director of  Feed the Dialogue NC.  This non-profit group seeks to help North Carolina residents understand more about farming and agriculture in the state of North Carolina by interviewing farmers and featuring those videos and stories on their website and blog as well as coordinating tours of farms for food, nutrition and culinary experts and bloggers who can carry that information to their audiences. Check out Feed the Dialogue NC's website https://feedthedialoguenc.com/about, Facebook page, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube channel to learn more about agriculture in North Carolina and get your questions answered about hot topics like antibiotics, hormones, genetic engineering, animal welfare and more.

Did you know these facts about NC agriculture?

• North Carolina's agricultural industry, including food, fiber and forestry, contributes $84 billion to the state's economy.

North Carolina produces more sweet potatoes than any other state.

• In 2017 the top 5 crops in NC in terms of value in production dollars were: tobacco, soybeans, corn, sweet potatoes and cotton - North Carolina is the #2 producing state for Christmas trees, hogs and turkeys Some of the other key agricultural crops in NC are: winter wheat, melons, pumpkins, and tomatoes.

Sources:

2017 State Agricultural Overview: https://www.nass.usda.gov/Quick_Stats/Ag_Overview/stateOverview.php?state=NORTH%20CAROLINA

State Agricultural Overview: http://www.ncagr.gov/stats/general/overview.htm

Leah McGrath, RDN, LDN

Ingles Markets Corporate Dietitian

twitter.com/InglesDietitian

facebook.com/LeahMcgrathDietitian

800-334-4936

In today's marketing world we often see "free-from" claims that may lead us to believe that whatever a product is "free-from" is somehow a bad ingredient. Over the years you probably recall seeing: fat-free, sugar-free, and gluten-free items, right?  Unfortunately many times these "free-from" claims are just capitalizing on the latest fad diet that eliminates food groups.