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Promoting the Strength of Minnesota's Agricultural Economy
Welcome to the MDA Marketing Minute,
the marketing e-newsletter from the Minnesota Dept. of Agriculture |
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Visit MDA & MN Grown at State Fair
The Minnesota State Fair starts this Thursday so be sure to visit us at the Agriculture/Horticulture building! Both the MDA booth and the Minnesota Grown booth will feature Minnesota farmers who are working hard to grow the food we eat.
At the MDA booth you can sign up to win $5,000 worth of free groceries through the Minnesota Farmers Feed US campaign. Farmers Feed US is a national consumer education campaign featuring farmers who show how they produce safe, nutritious and affordable food. By visiting the MDA's State Fair booth or visiting the Minnesota Farmers Feed US website (www.farmersfeedus.org), residents can register for two $5,000 grand prizes. At the website, consumers watch a short video that introduces them to one of nine featured Minnesota farmers and their families.
"MDA is excited to join our partners in agriculture to offer this great campaign," said Assistant MDA Commissioner Robin Kinney. "Consumers are increasingly curious about food production and many of the featured farmers, their families and others involved in Minnesota agriculture will staff the MDA booth to answer their questions. The added bonus is fairgoers can also register right there to win groceries for a year."
In addition to MDA, other participating agriculture groups include the Minnesota Pork Board, Midwest Dairy Association, Minnesota Soybean Research and Promotion Council, Minnesota Farm Bureau, Minnesota Corn Research and Promotion Council, Minnesota Turkey Research and Promotion Council, Broiler and Egg Association of Minnesota, Minnesota Beef Council, and Gold n' Plump.
Also in the Ag/Hort building you'll find the Minnesota Grown booth where you'll be able to meet Minnesota Grown members, see some of their great locally grown products and pick up a free Minnesota Grown directory.
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MDA says sign up for NRA
Be a part of the Minnesota pavilion at the 2011 National Restaurant Association's American Food Fair in Chicago on May 21-24. The NRA Show is the premiere foodservice trade event in the U.S. which draws more than 50,000 foodservice professionals from across the nation and more than 100 foreign markets.
"The NRA show puts companies in front of buyers from the largest grocery and hotel chains to the newest, innovative start-ups nationally and internationally," said Shannen Bornsen, MDA International Resources Manager. "If increasing your company's foodservice sales is priority, NRA is a venue you shouldn't pass up."
Companies may also be eligible for a 50 percent reimbursement of their exhibit expenses for the NRA show through Food Export Midwest's Branded Program. Food Export Branded Program
NRA Show 2011
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It's all about promotion at World Dairy Expo
As part of it's ongoing effort to support and showcase Minnesota's dairy industry, MDA will feature two booths at World Dairy Expo, Sept. 28 - Oct. 2 at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, Wisconsin. Agricultural Marketing Services staff will be on hand to promote what Minnesota can offer in the area of animal genetics and dairy food products. More than 65,000 dairy industry enthusiasts are expected at this year's event.
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Minnesotaʼs State Fair is the third largest event in the country and the second
largest State Fair in the country.
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Orchards report early apple season
Some Minnesota apple growers say the harvest looks 7 to 10 days early due to the early spring.
Thus, the 'early bird gets the worm' and customers looking for a favorite variety are advised to call ahead to time their trip.
Of course consumers need not worry, as Minnesota is known for the undisputed quality of its fresh apples such as Haralson, Zestar and Honeycrisp which thrive in harsh weather conditions - cold winters and hot summers.
"This is one of our best crops ever," said Gordy Toupal of Center Creek Orchard near Fairmont. Toupal said they plan to open Labor Day weekend and he expects Zestar apples will then be available, adding that Honeycrisp will be available in mid-September.
Meanwhile, Bette Johnson of the Big Stone Apple Ranch near the South Dakota border, said she doesn't expect their late apple varieties such as Honeycrisp to be ready any earlier than last year.
Rick Kluzak of Wild Fruits Farm, a certified organic apple orchard near Taylor's Falls agrees that the season will vary from region to region.
"If there is one message that should go to consumers looking for Minnesota apples this year, it's call ahead and get out early."
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