Monday, June 29, 2009

Farmer’s Foods “Area Business Sweet Heart Deal” Opportunity is available in all Farmer’s Foods locations.

Farmer’s Foods in connection with locally owned and operated businesses welcomes the opportunity to network together to give our local communities a “Sweet Heart Deal”. Simply present a receipt from Farmer’s Foods where you purchased a 5 pound bag of sugar within the past week to the partnering business in that area to receive a discount on a purchase from the partnering business.

If you are a locally owned and operated business near any of our locations and would like to be part of the “Area Business Sweet Heart Deal”, then please call our corporate office and the proper person will be in contact with shortly. This program is in its very early stages and Farmer’s Foods is looking forward to this expanding throughout all of our locations.

Essentially, signage will be placed in front of the sugar section in our stores listing the partner businesses in that area, AND we want to list these business on our website for FREE !! We are particularly interested in business types that strengthen our communities that have not been gobbled up by the large big-box stores, ie. hairstylists, jewelers, florists, restaurants and the like. Give a call and we’ll discuss your ideas about possibilities of this program to maintain main streets.

Luray Youth Trout Day

May 11th, ‘09

Farmer’s Foods is appreciative to be allowed to have our first Casting Contest for the youngsters that came out to Youth Trout Day. Close to 200 kids of all ages, gender, and fishing ability came out with their families to enjoy the opportunity to try their chances at about 1,200 trout stocked by the Virginia Game & Fishing Department. The trout were released into the famous Hawksbill Creek which runs directly through the center of beautiful Luray, Virginia. Trout larger than 3 pounds were caught, and a truly wonder selection of prizes were given away by area business and civic groups.


Our part of the entertainment was rather simple but exceptionally exciting. Greeting anxious youngsters with rods loaded for action; replacing all hooks with a “competition casting cork”; and measuring who could cast the closest to a car tire about 10 yards away can be an eye-opening experience you’ll never forget.


Special thanks should be given to the Greg Richards who initiated the idea with a tremendous amount of continued support from the Page County Sheriffs Department and the Luray Parks & Recreation Department and area citizens. 2009 was the 5th year of the event and had the largest turnout despite the challenging weather that day. We look forward to helping with the event again next year.

“Hound Dog Beauty Contest”

Central Virginia Locations (South Boston, Dillwyn, Kenbridge, Louisa, Highland Springs, and Southside Plaza Richmond)
April 24th, ‘09

In connection with the Greater Richmond SPCA and Richmond International Raceway, Farmer’s Foods gave dog lovers an opportunity to enter their dog’s photo with contact information at store locations. Donations were welcome and forwarded to the Greater Richmond SPCA, who was very grateful for any help managing the increase number of abandoned and hungry animals due to the economic difficulties affecting their owners.


The event was a very exciting way for average people with average dogs to be drawn either for 4 tickets to Richmond’s Big Saturday Night Spring Race or “Steaks For A Month”. Over 50 dogs were entered and the winner picking process was extremely difficult. All entries received a letter of appreciation and an “Honorable Mention”.
Cat lovers won’t be left out. A similar contest is planned for Richmond’s Big Saturday Night Race in the fall with contestants being our feline loved buddies. Again, donations will always be forwarded to the SPCA.

ABC TV’s Extreme Home Makeover “Pack The House”

Aired May 3rd, ‘09

Farmer’s Foods of Edenton was proud to participate in the ABC TV’s Extreme Home Makeover to help the Cooper family in Jamesville NC. Jeff Cooper is a handicapped veteran of the Gulf War who has steadfastly continued to fight for handicap veteran rights. When Extreme Home Makeover contacted Farmer’s Foods about helping with supplying the food for the family in their new house, we were proud and honored to have been selected. We “Packed The House” with the items the family needed for their new home.

“Feed The Folks That Feed The Hungry”

Dillwyn, Va
March 27th, ‘09

Farmer’s Foods of Dillwyn teamed up with Big Country 105.3 radio, Hatcher’s Dining & Catering, Dutt & Wagner Distributors, Blue Ridge Area Food Bank, and Big Show Sauces to gather food for the needy people in that area. People donating cans of non-perishable foods were given a deliciously grilled John Boy & Billy Grillin’ Sauce chicken wing, cooked to perfection by Leroy Hatcher.


In approximately three hours, we gathered about 1,000 pounds (1/2 ton) for that area Food Bank. This event was a fine example of how big things can come from ordinary people working together to help others in Central Virginia. We look forward to taking this program to our other locations.

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Local Concert is a Hit!

By Vernon Fueston
Staff Writer


Between 4,000 and 5,000 fans turned up at the Chowan County Fair Grounds to hear up and coming country star Jason Aldean at a concert following Edenton Hog Fest, Saturday.





"It was by far the best show we've done in Edenton," said Jason Vick of Radio Media Productions, the promoter who brought the show to town.

Aldean, a native of Macon, GA and a phenomenon on the national country music scene for three years now, has produced three albums. Also appearing was Mikele Buck.

Among the songs performed at the concert were the title song for his current album, "Wide Open," "Keep the Girl" and "My Big Green Tractor."

Hog Fest a Success

By Vernon Fueston, Staff Writer

As the American Legion's Post 40 wrapped up Edenton's third annual Hog Fest Saturday, it was clear the event had been a hit.

The event collected 1,565 pounds of food for Edenton's Food Pantry along with over $500 in cash donations form the public and $348 raised from its Motorcycle Ride-in Show.
Winning the overall barbeque championship along with the title for pork barbeque was Checkered Pig, a team from Martinsville, Virginia, Tommy Houston, chief cook.
A local team, Tarheel Smokers II from Hertord with Louis DeVine as chief cook, took the honors in Chicken. Chix, Swine and Bovine BBQ of Jessup, Maryland, Mike Richter, chief cook, took title for both pork ribs and brisket while Yeopim Callers of Edenton, Calhoon Jordan chief cook, took the whole hog category.

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WINNERS OF THE FARMERS FOODS
TROPHY BEST DRESSED PIG


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Po' Boyz BBQ of Grifton, North Carolina, Matthew Sparrow, chief cook, took the honors for dessert and non-desert.

Gerald Rahal, the events chairman, didn't have an attendance number, but he characterized the public's response as overwhelming. He said much of the credit goes to the cook teams, Holme's High ROTC program, the Legion Family and community volunteers who made the program possible.


Spirit Award - Po Boyz BBQ
Peoples Choice - Old Dominion Smokehouse
Anything Butts - both non & dessert - Po Boyz BBQ
Whole Hog - Yeopim Callers
Chicken - Tarheel Smokers II
Pork - Checkered Pig
Ribs & Brisket - Chix, Swine & Bovine BBQ
Reserve Grand - Chix, Swine & Bovine BBQ
Grand Champion - Checkered Pig