Maryland Buyer-Grower Expo To Be Held On January 20, 2016

Opportunity for Maryland Farmers & Producers to Connect with Buyers from Retailers, Restaurants, Schools, & More

ANNAPOLIS, MD – The Maryland Department of Agriculture will host a wholesale local food trade show on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2016. The purpose of this Expo is to provide an opportunity for Maryland farmers and processors to connect with buyers from grocery retailers, restaurants, schools, food distributors and other venues.

In 2015, there were more than 400 registrants, including produce farmers, artisan cheese and ice cream producers, beef and bison farmers, grocery store representatives, chefs, school nutrition directors, distributors, economic development officials, Maryland Cooperative Extension and regional agricultural marketing officials.

This year the event will again be held at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium- “N” Room in Annapolis, Md. Maryland growers, producers, and processors will be charged and exhibitor’s fee to help offset costs of the event, with an early registration fee of $20 if received before December 23, 2015 and $40 after that deadline.  There is no fee for buyers to attend.

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. Maryland’s farmers play an important role in providing local, healthy food, saving open farmland, and expanding rural economies. MDA’s marketing division has several on-going programs to link farmers with regional buyers and local consumers: the Maryland’s Best branding program, farmers’ market development, the Farmers’ Market Nutrition Programs, and the Farm to School Program.

You should attend this event if you are:

• A Maryland grower, producer, or processor interested in finding new markets for your products
• A buyer from a grocery store, restaurant, hospital, school, or other venue looking to purchase Maryland grown or produced products
• A service provider in agriculture or local food (such as a county extension agent, food writer, etc.)

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

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

WHEN: 

Wednesday, January 20, 2016; 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

WHERE:

Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Football Stadium – “N” Room
550 Taylor Ave.
Annapolis, MD 21401

REGISTRATION:

To register or for more information please visit Maryland’s Best and select the 2016 Buyer-Grower Expo link.

The Registration deadline to be included in the 2016 Directory is January 5, 2016

For questions or help registering contact Stone Slade at (410) 841-5779 or stone.slade@maryland.gov

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