Increasing the size and scope of the North Carolina’s food and beverage manufacturing economy — which is entirely possible given a highly diverse variety of local crops, livestock, soils and climate — is the cornerstone of the Food Processing and Manufacturing Initiative. Our collaborative partnership with the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina and other agricultural and food industry leaders, will focus the strengths of our university, government and industry partners on a common goal — an enhanced food entrepreneur assistance program centered on job growth. The NC Food Innovation Lab inspires to provide unique food processing capabilities for both entrepreneurial and established companies to more rapidly launch new consumer products. It will also serve as a unique real-time food processing facility to validate new processes and equipment being developed.