How Sweet It Is: North Carolina's Apple Economy

A large crate full of freshly picked apples sitting next to one of many apple trees at a North Carolina orchard.

Published on Oct 31, 2021

How Sweet It Is: North Carolina’s Apple Economy

NYC may be the Big Apple, but NC is big apple business. We retrace the road apples take from seed to supermarket, and explore how North Carolina helps supply America’s favorite fruit.

A fully-baked mountain high apple pie still in the skillet with a slice cut out showing the apples and ooey gooey goodness inside.

Published on Oct 29, 2021

Making a Mountain High Apple Pie

This mountain of a pie was named grand champion in the North Carolina Apple Festival's renowned recipe contest. Make a pie and enjoy N.C. apples today!

A baking tray full of freshly baked banana nut med muffins sitting on a stove top.

Published on Sep 30, 2021

Baking Banana Nut Med Muffins

Next time you have overripe bananas laying around, don’t throw them out – make these delicious, healthy muffins instead!

Tomatoes on vines in a field during a bright summer day.

Published on Sep 5, 2021

Selecting the Best Tomato Varieties for Your Garden

With more than 10,000 tomato varieties available, taking home the right tomato can be challenging. Learn how to pick a tomato variety that will survive and thrive in your home or garden!

Plastic storage bins are displayed side by side on a kitchen countertop, each of which is filled with various snack items like cheesesticks, yogurt, fruit cups, nuts and other items.

Published on Aug 21, 2021

Back-to-School Snacks and Lunch-Packing Hacks

As if mornings with young children weren't stressful enough at times, nothing cranks up the chaos like realizing you forgot to pack their lunch as you're heading out the door.

Various crackers and snack foods made from soft red winter wheat displayed in a white linen-lined bowl.

Published on Jul 19, 2021

Flour Power: Supporting North Carolina’s Wheat Industry

North Carolina produces upwards of 500,000 acres of wheat each year. Find out what happens before all of those grain-based goodies get to your store shelves and pantries.

Potato chips production line at the plant. Filling machines for potato chips and snacks.

Published on Jul 2, 2021

This Spud’s for You: North Carolina Potatoes

If you live anywhere in the Eastern U.S. and tear into a bag of potato chips, you're probably enjoying North Carolina potatoes. Learn more about the industry that’s all that and a bag of chips.

A cecropia caterpillar is attached to the underside of a partially eaten leaf.

Published on Jun 26, 2021

North Carolina’s Very Hungry Caterpillars

North Carolina is home to nearly 3,000 caterpillar species, of which only about 3% are garden pests. Learn more about these baby butterflies and moths, and their ecological value.

Close shot of raw pork chops on a red tabletop with a dry rub mix sprinkled over them for cooking.

Published on Jun 18, 2021

How to Make Your Own Dry Rub

Dry rubs can be as complicated or as simple as you want them. We're of the mindset that simpler is better. Learn how to make a simple salt-and-pepper rub that works well with many meats.

Fireflies or lightning bugs flying at night in the forest.

Published on Jun 17, 2021

Discover the Secret Science of Fireflies

One of the more magical moments of summer is the first firefly (or lightning bug)! These little luminaries are both mesmerizing and mysterious, so our expert shed some light on the subject.

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