CarolinaBUY Expands Cooperative Contract Portfolio With Ten New Supplier Approvals
CarolinaBUY announced the approval of ten new cooperative contracts during its April Monthly Board Meeting, marking a significant expansion of purchasing options for public agencies across North Carolina and South Carolina. The newly approved contracts strengthen key categories including Industrial Arts and Career Technical Education (CTE), Institutional Kitchen Equipment & Smallwares, Classroom Instructional Materials, LED Lighting, and Solar solutions.

Strengthening CTE and Industrial Arts Offerings
The Board voted to renew contracts with three established suppliers in the Industrial Arts and Career Technical Education category: Pitsco Education, LLC, Blick Art Materials, and Midwest Technology Products. These suppliers continue to provide hands‑on learning materials, tools, and equipment widely used in K–12 and post‑secondary programs.

CarolinaBUY also welcomed a new supplier to this category—Paxton Patterson—broadening access to career‑focused lab environments and STEM learning systems that support workforce‑ready skill development.

Expanding Institutional Kitchen Equipment & Smallwares
To support school nutrition programs, municipal facilities, and institutional kitchens, CarolinaBUY renewed its contract with Hubert Co, a long‑standing supplier known for foodservice equipment and operational essentials.

Two additional suppliers—Culinary Depot and Douglas Equipment—were approved, expanding the cooperative’s reach into commercial kitchen design, equipment sourcing, and smallwares distribution. These new partnerships provide agencies with more competitive options and greater flexibility in outfitting or upgrading foodservice operations.

New Contracts in Classroom Materials, LED Lighting, and Solar
The Board also approved several new suppliers across additional high‑demand categories:

Roylco joins under Classroom Instructional Materials & Supplies, offering creative and curriculum‑aligned resources for early childhood and K–12 classrooms.

Humbug Holiday Lighting was awarded a contract under LED Lighting, supporting agencies seeking energy‑efficient lighting solutions for facilities and public spaces.

Solar Path was added under the Solar category, providing renewable energy products and infrastructure options for agencies pursuing sustainability initiatives.

Supporting Agency Needs Across the Carolinas
With these ten newly approved contracts, CarolinaBUY continues to expand its cooperative purchasing portfolio, offering public agencies more choice, competitive pricing, and streamlined procurement pathways. The additions reflect the cooperative’s commitment to meeting the evolving needs of schools, municipalities, and public institutions across the Carolinas.