Agriculture, Food and Beverage Quarterly Industry Forum

Join the North Carolina Military Business Center for our quarterly industry-related forums that spotlight key federal opportunities and strengthen connections across North Carolina’s federal and defense contracting ecosystem. Each industry-specific quarterly session will connect businesses, government agencies, and prime contractors to discuss:

• Upcoming contracting opportunities and capability gaps
• Market and policy trends shaping the industry
• Success stories and lessons learned from peers
• Strategies for growth in the federal marketplace

These forums are part of our year-round commitment to industry engagement, building momentum towards major annual industry events like FEDTEX, DISC, MBB, FTS and the Summit ensuring that businesses stay connected and competitive in a rapidly evolving federal and defense landscape.

When. July 30, 2026 from 0900-1030

Where. This forum will be held in a virtual setting.

Agenda:

• NCMBC updates and industry insights
• Highlights of upcoming opportunities and capability gaps
• Featured Presentation: Tim Ivey, Manager-Agribusiness and Economic Development, North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services & Jenny Fulton, Regional Agribusiness Developer, Piedmont/Charlotte Region, North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer ServicesTim and Jenny will discuss the purpose of the North Carolina Agriculture Manufacturing and Processing Initiative (NCAMPI) regarding funding and promotion of value-added agricultural manufacturing and food processing facilities across North Carolina.  They will provide information on how the NCAMPI is intended to fill existing gaps in the processing of agricultural products and to create a diverse and economically competitive array of high value-added goods and products manufactured in North Carolina from agricultural products grown or produced in North Carolina.
• Business Spotlight: The American Logistics Association (ALA) is a non-profit trade association dedicated to promoting, protecting and enhancing Total Quality of Life Benefits for active duty, retired, and reserve military personnel and their families.

  ALA provides members with a wealth of information directly related to selling, promoting and distributing your products to the commissary. ALA Members receive access to competitive intelligence and market data that includes:

• The current assortment authorized for each marketing area
• Oversight of changes to the assortment, each week, down to the store level
• Viewing items selected for feature promotions
• Monthly store sales
• Scheduled store reset dates
• Category reviews
• Status on overseas inventory
• Point of contact information for every store
• DeCA’s strategic plan
• Notices to Trade
• News releases, and
• Policy or procedure changes.

  Other benefits of membership include topic specific meetings focused on helping you expand your business with the military resale activities. In addition to regional meetings, we have two national meetings each year to update members. One meeting is focused exclusively on the Defense Commissary System and discusses their marketing and promotion strategies, operational plans, and exploring with members industry best business practices.

• Open Q&A and networking

Save the date for the 2026 upcoming Agriculture, Food and Beverage Quarterly Forums: October 29, 2026

Register