Maryland Buyer-Grower Expo Scheduled for Jan. 22; Expo connects Maryland farmers with buyers

ANNAPOLIS, MD – The Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) will host a wholesale local food trade show from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 22, at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium “N” Room in Annapolis. The show connects Maryland growers, producers, and processors with buyers from grocery retailers, restaurants, schools, institutions, and other venues.

In 2014, more than 400 registrants attended. They included produce farmers, artisan cheese and ice cream producers, beef and bison farmers, grocery store representatives, chefs, school nutrition directors, distributors, economic development officials, University of Maryland Extension and regional agricultural marketing officials.

Rising consumer demand for locally grown and produced fruits, vegetables, meats, and specialty items is sparking more interest in Maryland products from commercial purchasing agents.

The event is designed for:

• Maryland growers, producers, or processors interested in finding new markets for your products;
• Buyers from grocery stores, restaurants, hospitals, schools, or other venues looking to purchase Maryland grown or produced products;
• Service providers in agriculture or local foods, such as county extension agents, food writers, etc.

The types of local products that buyers will typically find at this meeting include:

• Fruits and vegetables;
• Meats, including beef, turkey, and bison;
• Cheeses (both cow’s and goat’s milk);
• Seafood, such as crabmeat and oysters; and
• Specialty products, including locally made ice cream, soups, flour, wine, and more.

To register, or for more information, visit www.marylandsbest.net. The exhibit fee for Maryland growers, producers, and processors is $20 if received before December 23 and $40 thereafter.  There is no fee for buyers to attend. Those registered by Jan. 7 will be included in the directory. For questions or help registering, contact Stone Slade at MDA at (410) 841-5779 or stone.slade@maryland.gov.

Click here for a video from last year’s Buyer-Grower Meeting.

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