Johnston County Food and Dining Offerings Are Distinct and Diverse
Residents of Johnston County have many local foods to choose from, along with interesting food-based activities and attractions. Some of them are:
Eastern Carolina-style Barbecue
For true fans of barbecue, it's hard to beat Johnston County pork. Eastern Carolina-style means that the sauce is vinegar-based rather than a mustard-based dry rub or a tomato-based sauce. A couple of popular barbecue restaurants in Johnston County that serve this style are Stephenson's Bar-B-Q and White Swan's Bar-B-Q.
Downtown Smithfield Farmers Market
The market debuted in May 2007 in the parking lot of the historic Roberts & Wellons Hardware Store on Bridge Street. It is open every Friday from mid-April to October. Besides fruits and vegetables‚ it offers beef‚ chicken‚ pork‚ eggs‚ honey‚ bread‚ herbs and flowers.
Ham and Yam Festival
Held the first weekend in May, it began when local ham producers challenged their fellow pig ranchers to a cooking competition in Smithfield. Now the friendly event features cooking contests for both ham and yams as well as agricultural exhibits‚ music and local entertainment‚ arts and crafts booths‚ and children’s games.
Strawberry Festival
This all-day celebration in late April in Clayton is for the entire Johnston County community, and focuses on family fun and entertainment. There are local business vendors, music, face painting and activities for kids, lots of food and of course, strawberries.
Hinnant Family Vineyards & Winery
The winery in Pine Level produces 13 kinds of wine‚ including reds‚ whites‚ blushes‚ strawberry and peach. The vineyard's muscadine blush wine has won numerous awards, including competitions in New York City and Florida. Another popular seller is the scuppernong, a sweet white.
The Pound Cake Company It took Jan Matthews-Hodges 12 years to develop the perfect pound cake recipe‚ but her efforts paid off. As owner of The Pound Cake Co. in Benson‚ her food products are sold throughout North Carolina and beyond. For example, her cakes are carried in Fresh Market stores in North Carolina and Virginia.
Johnston County Hams
The Smithfield company produces country hams‚ spiral-sliced honey hams‚ smoked turkey, prosciutto, and dry-cured and hickory-smoked bacon. The business was started in 1946 and today the food is sold in specialty markets, delis, catalogs, online and a retail store called Smithfield’s Ham Shop.
Other Specialty Products
They include shrimp from DJ&W King Prawn Farm in Kenly, biscuit and cornbread mixes from House-Autry Mills in Four Oaks, biscuit and pancake mixes at Atkinson Milling Co. in Selma, and snack products from Ginny O's Cheese Rings in Selma.
