Wal-Mart receives its share of (often richly deserved) bad press, but here may be an example of the company's brighter side: It's promoting local produce. This is doubtlessly due in no small part to the rising fuel costs, sure, but it's still good news for N.C. farmers. Starting Friday, the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services will host 16 events at Wal-Mart stores "celebrating the bounty of products this state has to offer," according to a press release. Here are chances to get some free samples:

July 23: 1830 Galleria Blvd, Charlotte, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

July 24: Indian Trail, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

July 25: Concord, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.