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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Celebrating 25 Years of Locally Grown Food in Charlotte
Hillbilly Produce Market Fall Festival and Second Harvest Food Drive

(Charlotte, NC) September 30 - Since 1984, Hillbilly Produce Market has been supplying Charlotte with locally grown, fresh foods, amidst the prevailing mindset of mass food production. To celebrate their 25th anniversary, and continued commitment to local food and farmers, the market is hosting a Fall Festival on Saturday, October 17 from 2pm – 7pm, with music and food sampling, as well as a food drive for Second Harvest Food Bank.

“We’re like a year-round farmer’s market,” said Owner, Jason Surface. “Hillbilly Produce Market has been all about market-fresh, local food since my father first opened our doors 25 years ago,” he continued. “With a renewed interest in healthier eating, attention has slowly come back around to our belief in quality, locally-produced foods. For us, fresh from the farm has always been our mission and our business model.”

The Saturday Fall Festival will feature Grateful Growers Farm Harvest Moon Grille selling locally raised pork sandwiches, bluegrass music and a variety of in-store sampling and specials. A week long food drive for Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina will also kick off that day.

Customers are encouraged to drop off dry or canned food, as well as personal care and cleaning items during the festival, and throughout the following week. By making a donation, folks will automatically be entered into a drawing to win one of a variety of prizes, including: an iPod Shuffle, pumpkins, gift certificates and more. The food drive will end on Saturday, October 24 and winners will be drawn and contacted that day.

To increase the bounty, Hillbilly Produce Market also will donate fresh produce from the store. Second Harvest Food Bank feeds people in need by supplying over 600 soup kitchens, shelters, emergency pantries and similar agencies serving 19 counties in the Charlotte region.

“Our Market has watched the neighborhood change over the years, and despite a national trend to the contrary, we’re happy to be able to provide fresh produce to a community that is often underserved,” said Surface. “We felt it was time to celebrate the people and the farmers who have supported us for a quarter of a century. Throwing a party and providing food to the Second Harvest Food Bank is our way of saying ‘thanks’ to the community.”

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ABOUT HILLBILLY PRODUCE MARKET
Like a year-round farmer’s market, the Hillbilly Produce Market is a permanent ‘produce market’ specializing in fresh, locally grown foods seven-days a week. Owned by the Surface family for over 25 years, the Hillbilly Produce Market offers old-fashioned service with a modern-day sensibility about the global importance of locally grown food. Hillbilly Produce Market is located at 7024 East Independence Boulevard. For hours and more information, call 704/535.1468 or visit www.hillbillyproduce.com.

CONTACT:
Edie Surratt
edie@smarthinkingpr
704/502.2413

Hillbilly Produce Market
7024 East Independence Boulevard
Charlotte, NC 28227
704/535.1468