Welcome to the NC Specialty Foods Association’s
2026 Lunch and Learn Series:
‘Summer of Intelligence’
Throughout the Summer of 2026, the NCSFA will offer a series of live, online events designed to help our members learn and grow in this season of new innovations in products and technologies. Please review and sign up early to reserve your spot and take advantage of this opportunity to connect with your peers and expand your knowledge on a variety of topics.
Each event will be a live, interactive format using the Zoom video platform. No account or login required. You will receive complete information when you register.
Current NCSFA Members: Free
Guests: $10 per event
** Exclusive – NCSFA Member Only Benefits **
- Door prize ticket for each event if you register AND attend the live event
- Incentive bonuses for members that register AND attend the events
Grand Prize: $200 grant from the Carlye Teague Education fund
First Prize: Two members will receive a one-year extension on your membership
Second Prize: Three members will receive a six-month extension on your membership
Here is how the incentive bonuses work:
Incentive awards will be drawn at random during our Grand Finale on August 26th. Members will receive one entry for each session you actually login and attend. If you are a member, please register using the Member Ticket and login to Zoom with your real name, otherwise, you may lose your chance to win.
NOTE: Registration alone does not qualify you for an entry. Attend more sessions – get more chances to win!
** NEW! Click here to register for all events with one ticket**
Each event is free for members – guests save $10 – $50 for all events!
~Grants and Funding~
Leigh is a Program Manager with NC IDEA, a private foundation advancing entrepreneurship and equitable economic development in North Carolina. She manages the MICRO and SEED grant programs for entrepreneurs, including the application, review, and grant award processes. She’s passionate about supporting founders on their entrepreneurial journeys.
Who: Leigh Blancato, NC IDEA
Date: Wednesday, June 10th, 2026
Time: 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m.
~eCommerce – What’s new in 2026~
Hart discovered his passion for marketing when his first small efforts at Telluride.com started yielding a serious impact on revenue. He saw how much marketing could help businesses grow and communities flourish, and he was sold. Now back in his hometown of Raleigh, Hart is always searching for fresh, creative ways to gain exposure and bring companies closer to their customers at his creative marketing agency, Chair 8. He and his team of 10 specialize in full-service marketing campaigns for small-to-medium challenger brands.
Who: Hart Roberts, Chair 8 Media
Date: Wednesday, June 24th, 2026
Time: 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m.
~TBD~
Who: TBD
Date: Wednesday, July, 8th, 2026
Time: 12:00 noon to 2:00 p.m.
~TBD~s
Who: TBD
Date: Wednesday, July, 22rd, 2026
Time: 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m.
~TBD~
Who: TBD
Date: Wednesday, August 12th, 2026
Time: 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m.
~The Grand Finale and Awards Presentation~
Join Adam Yee (Food Scientist and Founder of “My Food Job Rocks” Podcast) and Patricia Menegato (Director of Marketing & Community at Startup CPG) as they discuss 2026 Specialty Food and Business Trends and key tips for brands moving into Q4.
The trend discussion panel will include:
- Ingredient sourcing and working with co-manufacturers (Adam)
- Tradeshows that matter (Patricia)
- New flavors and consumer trends (Adam)
- Emerging marketing tactics (Patricia)
Who:
Patricia Menegato, Director of Marketing & Community at Startup CPG
Patricia is the Director of Marketing & Community for Startup CPG, a thriving community and platform dedicated to supporting emerging consumer packaged goods brands. Patricia champions early-stage founders, connecting them to the resources, insights, and networks they need to grow and succeed. Through her work, Patricia has become a leading voice for growth and accessibility in the CPG industry.
Adam Yee, Founder – “My Food Job Rocks” Podcast
Adam Yee is a food scientist, entrepreneur, and the creator of the My Food Job Rocks podcast, a long-running platform spotlighting the people and pathways shaping the food industry. Drawing on his own experience in product development, venture-backed startups, and food tech innovation, Adam brings a uniquely candid and deeply informed perspective on how ideas move from concept to shelf—and the many careers in between.
Date: Wednesday, August 26th, 2026
Time: 12:00 noon to 2:00 p.m.