SALISBURY, MD. (Wednesday, June 23, 2021) — Perdue Farms, through its Franklin P. and Arthur W. Perdue Foundation, has awarded a $10,000 grant to help North Carolina Cooperative Extension – Bertie County Center outfit its new state-of-the-art teaching kitchen. 

NC Cooperative Extension, Bertie County Center, is the grassroots level of NC State University that teaches Bertie County residents about agriculture, food and nutrition, youth and community resource development, giving them information that can improve their lives.

“Our efforts focus on local needs gleaned from county residents serving at advisory levels,” said William Barrow, Bertie County Center county extension director. “Current needs focus heavily on improving diets, food safety, meal preparation and physical activity levels.”

Grant funds will help support the purchase of appliances and other items to set up a state-of-the-art teaching kitchen, including a refrigerator, two gas cooktops, microwave, double wall oven, dishwasher, washer and dryer, stainless-steel sink and worktables, and ice maker.

“Once a functional kitchen is restored, our agents will host demonstrations and classes that focus on better nutritional choices for residents of Bertie County,” Barrow said. “Currently, our agents have to prepare food off-site for classes. These appliances are long-term investments that will serve the residents of Bertie County for many years, slowly but surely improving the health and the lives of adults and youths.”

“Perdue Farms is very happy to provide assistance to NC Cooperative Extension – Bertie County Center’s efforts to help Bertie County residents, including Perdue associates and their families improve their health and lifestyles,” said Kim Nechay, executive director of the Perdue Foundation.  “With these changes, not only will the individuals benefit but so will employers, including Perdue, as they see healthier employees, lower absentee rates and lower health-care costs.”

About the Franklin P. and Arthur W. Perdue Foundation
The Franklin P. and Arthur W. Perdue Foundation, the charitable giving arm of Perdue Farms, was established in 1957 by company founder Arthur W. Perdue and is funded through the estates of Arthur W. Perdue and Frank Perdue. As part of our belief in supporting the communities where and with whom we do business, the Foundation provides grants on behalf of Perdue Farms in communities where large numbers of our associates live and work. At Perdue Farms, we believe in responsible food and agriculture^®.

About Perdue Farms
We’re a fourth-generation, family owned, U.S. food and agriculture company. Through our belief in responsible food and agriculture, we are empowering consumers, customers, and farmers through trusted choices in products and services.

The premium protein portfolio within our Perdue Foods business, including our flagship PERDUE® brand, Niman Ranch®, Panorama Organic Grass-Fed Meats®, Coleman Natural®, and Yummy®, as well as our pet brands, Spot Farms® and Full Moon®, is available through various channels including retail, foodservice, club stores, and our direct-to-consumer website, PerdueFarms.com. 

Perdue AgriBusiness is an international agricultural products and services company.  

Now in our company’s second century, our path forward is about getting better, not just bigger. We never use drugs for growth promotion in raising poultry and livestock, and we are actively advancing our animal welfare programs. Our brands are leaders in no-antibiotics-ever chicken, turkey, pork, beef and lamb, and in USDA-certified organic chicken and beef. Learn more at Corporate.PerdueFarms.com.