DECEMBER 2022

Michelle Grainger,

presenting a gift to US Ambassador Denise Bauer

Dear Sweet Friends,

Where in the WORLD has 2022 gone? HOW is it possibly December and we are talking about plans for 2023?!? My guess is that you must be asking yourself these same questions. Since our last issue of Sweetpotato Speak , our office has been in what has felt like warp speed with all our activities. Here are a few examples of what we have been up to: • We were featured on the Got to Be NC cooking stage at both the Mountain State Fair and the NC State Fair as well as Spencer attending the opening day and ribbon cutting ceremony of the NC State Fair, • Continued our partnership Star Chefs with restaurant weeks in Denver and New Orleans, • Attended the Appetite for Health Nutritional News Update in Arizona, • Had a booth at the SIAL Paris Food Show – one of the world’s largest food shows • Presented a gift to US Ambassador Denise Bauer of France on behalf of our industry and served NC Sweetpotatoes at a Trade Reception held at the Ambassador’s residence, • Launched a new Instagram account in France – be sure to follow along @patatedouceusa_cn • Participated in the International Food Editors Conference (IFEC) in Santa Barbara California, • Hosted eight National Registered Dietitians (RD) for 3.5 days in NC to experience sweetpotato harvest, • Held our 3 rd Annual FarmHER of NC Sweetpotato Luncheon, where we conducted our 2nd Annual Live Auction to benefit the Pretty in Pink Foundation, • Co-hosted the 2 nd in the series of Reviving the Supper Club Chef Series with Ripe for Revival at The Hackney in Washington, NC featuring executive chef Jamie Davis (mark your calendars for the 3 rd offering – February 7 th where we will be sure to be celebrating National Sweetpotato Month) • Offered a member educational event in partnership with the USDA-AMS office – How to become a Certified Vendor with the USDA (if you missed this offering, do not to fret, as we will be

A FEW MINUTES WITH MICHELLE

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