Kentucky Proud Expo Builds Momentum

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Food producers operating under the expanding Kentucky Proud banner will be exhibiting, offering samples, and booking sales orders with the state’s retailers during the first Kentucky Proud Expo set for Oct. 18-20, at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center in Covington.

In partnership with the Kentucky Grocers Association and Kentucky Association of Convenience Stores (KGA/KACS), Allied Food Marketers, the Governor’s Office of Agricultural Policy, and the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, the 2007 Kentucky Proud Expo is the first statewide event designed to provide a venue for producers to exhibit their products directly to consumers and retail food industry executives.

The event, which will feature a buying show for the retail community on Fri., Oct. 19 from noon to 4 p.m. at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center, will be open to the public on Sat., Oct. 20, with Kentucky Proud producers offering samples and selling their products directly to consumers.

Saturday’s public expo activities also include the first “Reality Chef Showdown” contest. Teams led by a leading Kentucky Chef, including Kentucky national TV reality show participants and Kentucky food producers, will compete to create the winning dish featuring Kentucky produced products – including a surprise ingredient akin to an Iron Chef competition.

Kentucky Proud is a state-led initiative dedicated to helping Kentucky’s farmers find alternatives to tobacco production. Allied Food Marketers, based in Louisville, is a full-service marketing and consulting firm working with the Kentucky Department of Agriculture under a grant from the Governor’s Office of Agricultural Policy (GOAP) to help the state’s farmers and food producers. Allied Food Marketers provides assistance in product development and business models that will move Kentucky agriculture closer to the consumer.

KGA/KACS are statewide trade associations representing approximately 450 member companies operating 1,700 locations, including retail and wholesale grocers, convenience stores, manufacturers, and related industry suppliers.

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