{"id":18521,"date":"2015-12-02T10:03:28","date_gmt":"2015-12-02T15:03:28","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/?p=18521"},"modified":"2015-12-02T10:37:41","modified_gmt":"2015-12-02T15:37:41","slug":"maryland-buyer-grower-expo-to-be-held-on-january-20-2016","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/press-release\/2015\/12\/02\/maryland-buyer-grower-expo-to-be-held-on-january-20-2016\/","title":{"rendered":"Maryland Buyer-Grower Expo To Be Held On January 20, 2016"},"content":{"rendered":"

Opportunity for Maryland Farmers & Producers to Connect with Buyers from Retailers, Restaurants, Schools, & More<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"MDs<\/a>ANNAPOLIS, MD<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong>\u2013 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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

This year the event will again be held at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium- \u201cN\u201d Room in Annapolis, Md. Maryland growers, producers, and processors will be charged and exhibitor\u2019s 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. \u00a0There is no fee for buyers to attend.<\/p>\n

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\u2019s farmers play an important role in providing local, healthy food, saving open farmland, and expanding rural economies. MDA\u2019s marketing division has several on-going programs to link farmers with regional buyers and local consumers: the Maryland\u2019s Best branding program, farmers\u2019 market development, the Farmers\u2019 Market Nutrition Programs, and the Farm to School Program.<\/p>\n

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You should attend this event if you are:<\/strong><\/p>\n