Potatoes as far as the eye can see

Volunteers of all ages are needed to help the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the Society of Saint Andrew and Inter-Faith Food Shuttle bag 80,000 pounds of sweet potatoes in recognition of National Hunger Awareness Day. The event gets under way on Tuesday, June 12, at 9 a.m. at the State Farmers Market in Raleigh. Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler and dozens of NCDA&CS employees will lend a helping hand. Nash Produce is donating the sweet potatoes.

More than 900,000 people are estimated to go hungry in North Carolina each year. This is the fourth year that these agencies will tackle truckloads of sweet potatoes for National Hunger Awareness Day. Volunteers are encouraged to dress comfortably and bring a pair of garden gloves.