Event January 17 to
Connect Specialty Crop Growers with Local Food Buyers
HERMITAGE, Ark. – To help farmers learn more about business opportunities in the locally grown food category, the Arkansas Agriculture Department (AAD) hosted an Arkansas Grown local conversation event on Thursday, Jan. 17 at 9:30 a.m. at the Community Center in Hermitage. This event facilitated a discussion among institutional food buyers, food distributors and growers.
“A 2017 study conducted by the Food Marketing Institute found that consumers are willing to spend 20 percent more for locally produced fruits and vegetables,” said Arkansas Agriculture Secretary Wes Ward. “This type of collaborative event brings together representatives from the entire supply chain to identify ways to provide consumers more access to locally produced foods and products.”
There were 72 in attendance, 21 of which were specialty crop growers. Sixteen counties across Arkansas were represented.
The following panel discussions covered different parts of the food marketing channel:
1) Food distributor panel with Billy Bobbitt of AWG and Brad May of Ben E. Keith.
2) Farm to School panel, featuring Lori Carter, DHS Nutrition Director, Amanda West, Warren School District Nutrition Director, and Jenna Rhodes, Arkansas Farm to School Director.
3) Local Grower: Randy Clanton Sr., Steele Hamilton, and Michael Hensley.
“There is a demand for local. You’ve got to market yourself in every way,” said Billy Bobbitt of AWG.
The event concluded with a meal funded by Farm Credit.
The Arkansas Grown program promotes food and products grown by Arkansas producers and helps connect growers and food buyers. Go to arkansasgrown.com to learn more about Arkansas Grown.
The AAD is dedicated to the development and implementation of policies and programs for Arkansas agriculture and forestry to keep its farmers and ranchers competitive in national and international markets while ensuring safe food, fiber, and forest products for the citizens of the state and nation. Visit www.agriculture.arkansas.gov
Connect Specialty Crop Growers with Local Food Buyers
HERMITAGE, Ark. – To help farmers learn more about business opportunities in the locally grown food category, the Arkansas Agriculture Department (AAD) hosted an Arkansas Grown local conversation event on Thursday, Jan. 17 at 9:30 a.m. at the Community Center in Hermitage. This event facilitated a discussion among institutional food buyers, food distributors and growers.
“A 2017 study conducted by the Food Marketing Institute found that consumers are willing to spend 20 percent more for locally produced fruits and vegetables,” said Arkansas Agriculture Secretary Wes Ward. “This type of collaborative event brings together representatives from the entire supply chain to identify ways to provide consumers more access to locally produced foods and products.”
There were 72 in attendance, 21 of which were specialty crop growers. Sixteen counties across Arkansas were represented.
The following panel discussions covered different parts of the food marketing channel:
1) Food distributor panel with Billy Bobbitt of AWG and Brad May of Ben E. Keith.
2) Farm to School panel, featuring Lori Carter, DHS Nutrition Director, Amanda West, Warren School District Nutrition Director, and Jenna Rhodes, Arkansas Farm to School Director.
3) Local Grower: Randy Clanton Sr., Steele Hamilton, and Michael Hensley.
“There is a demand for local. You’ve got to market yourself in every way,” said Billy Bobbitt of AWG.
The event concluded with a meal funded by Farm Credit.
The Arkansas Grown program promotes food and products grown by Arkansas producers and helps connect growers and food buyers. Go to arkansasgrown.com to learn more about Arkansas Grown.
The AAD is dedicated to the development and implementation of policies and programs for Arkansas agriculture and forestry to keep its farmers and ranchers competitive in national and international markets while ensuring safe food, fiber, and forest products for the citizens of the state and nation. Visit www.agriculture.arkansas.gov
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