Do Our Vendors Use NC Seafood?
Yes! And we’re proud to showcase it.
In 2024, we partnered with graduate students from the Duke Marine Lab to conduct an independent survey of food vendors participating in the festival. Here’s what we found:
That means 95% of our vendors featured North Carolina seafood on their menus during the 2024 event.
How We Support NC Seafood at the Festival
At the NC Seafood Festival, we strongly encourage all vendors to source their seafood from local providers. To make that easier and more appealing, we offer several incentives to vendors who use North Carolina-harvested products, including:
- Priority booth consideration and placement
- A “Fresh. Local. Got to be NC Seafood.” sign to display at their booth
- Inclusion in marketing materials and social media spotlights
Vendors who wish to display the official NC Seafood sign must verify their seafood purchases with the NCSF office by submitting invoices or purchase orders by September 15. These purchases must be in ample supply to cover sales for the full three-day event.
We also work with trusted wholesalers and local fishermen to help vendors find the seafood they need at fair prices. A vetted list of providers is shared in advance, and vendors may negotiate directly or buy from licensed fishermen if they choose.
How to Find Local Seafood
Look for the “Fresh. Local. Got to be NC Seafood.” sign displayed at vendor booths throughout the festival grounds. That sign tells you the vendor has verified their commitment to serving seafood caught right here in North Carolina waters.