People across the United States are nuts for Hampton Roads’ peanuts. Given the area’s excellent farming conditions, the region has been growing peanuts for over 100 years. Suffolk, VA even held the title of “Peanut Capital of the World” for some time in the 20th century. Notable peanut product manufacturers are Kraft Heinz Foods/Planters Peanuts, Birdsong Peanuts, and Hampton Farms.

With access to both the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, Hampton Roads provides an ideal location for the seafood industry. Our waterways are rich with delicious blue crab, oysters, rockfish, and red drum, to name a few. Prominent local seafood processors include Wanchese Fish Company and High Liner Foods/Icelandic USA.

Supported by abundant farmland and centuries old tradition, Hampton Roads produces some of America’s finest country ham. Known throughout the world for its salty, savory taste, this unique flavor comes from a particular curing process and a peanut-heavy diet for the hogs. Developed locally, the country ham processed in our region is so specialized that it has its own name, Smithfield Ham. The product has been so successful that Smithfield Foods, the local company behind this product has grown into a $15 billion global food company becoming the world's largest pork processor and hog producer.

Hampton Roads companies are buzzing about the logistical network in the region and quick connectivity that allow them to retain the freshness of their products. Using the Port of Virginia, coffee manufacturers import raw beans into the region where they can be roasted, packaged and distributed. Major processors with operations in Hampton Roads include Keurig Dr Pepper, Massimo Zanetti and Peet’s Coffee. Coffee is not the only caffeinated beverage produced in Hampton Roads. Unilever/Lipton Tea makes all of the teabags produced for the North American market out of a plant that has been operating in the region since 1955. In fact, it is the largest tea production plant in the country.