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Feast Down East names chef, farmer and community member of the year
By Ashley Morris
@AshleyMorrisSN ; @PortCityFoodies
Posted Feb 14, 2020 at 4:37 PM
Feast Down East named a local farmer, chef and community member of the year for 2020 at their annual food conference Friday.
Three individuals are recognized each year for their contributions to the food movement and bringing fresh, locally-sourced foods to diverse tables across Southeastern North Carolina.
Samantha Smith, chef and owner of Sugar Island Bakery in Surf City (206 N. Topsail Drive), was named chef of the year. Smith was honored for her continued support of local farms and sourcing local ingredients.
“We always seem to fall into a conversation about improving something in the local food economy,” said Zach LaVere, with Feast Down East. “She is passionate about supporting local and she practices what she preaches.”
Buron and Sara Lanier of Piney Woods Farms in Burgaw were honored as the farmers of the year. Their operation includes timber, cattle, peaches, apples, chickens and eggs.
Local SNAP nutritional educator Breyana Davis was the recipient of the Jane Steigerwald Community Advocate Award for her work through the NC Extension services in Pender and New Hanover County.
Jordyn Appel with Feast Down East told conference attendees that Davis worked to secure EBT and SNAP benefit availability at the Wilmington Farmer’s Market, in addition to coordinating the farmers market’s partnership with the Fresh Bucks Incentive Program through RAFI USA. Davis was honored for her nutritional outreach, support of the local food system and for challenging how nutrition and health are approached in the community.
Reporter Ashley Morris can be reached at 910-343-2096 or Ashley.Morris@StarNewsOnline.com.