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Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture News

PA Preferred, Giant Host Regional Trade Show

PA Preferred Boosts Members' Marketing Efforts

HARRISBURG, Pa., May 1 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Small companies that manufacture or produce products in Pennsylvania may have a chance to sell their goods at one of the mid-Atlantic region's leading grocery store chains, thanks to a regional trade show hosted by PA Preferred, said Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff.

More than 150 PA Preferred member companies participated in the Supplier Diversity/Regional & Small Business Trade Show today at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex & Expo Center in Harrisburg.

Members had an opportunity to have their products reviewed by Giant Food Stores' procurement teams for possible future business opportunities with the company, said Wolff.

"The PA Preferred label is gaining recognition as a sign of superior quality," said Wolff. "With a diverse membership, including farmers, manufacturers, farmers markets and restaurants, the PA Preferred label showcases the best Pennsylvania has to offer."

The PA Preferred branding program was launched in 2004 by Governor Edward G. Rendell to help market food products and goods that are manufactured and processed in the state. There are more than 2,000 members enrolled in the program.

"Trade shows help PA Preferred members access markets that are normally difficult to tap into, providing them an opportunity to grow their business while strengthening Pennsylvania's agricultural economy," Wolff added.

Since November, PA Preferred products have appeared on exclusive racks in all Pennsylvania Giant Food Stores. Featured products rotate every 120 days, giving smaller producers a presence in the marketplace.

"Supplier diversity is an integral part of our business at Giant," said Jeff Martin, Giant Food Stores' executive vice president for sales and merchandising. "We're proud of a long tradition of supporting small, local and diverse vendors who are our neighbors, customers and part of the economic engine of our communities."

While at the show, PA Preferred members benefited from two financial workshops, including "How to Work Productively with Your Broker," presented by St. Joseph's Center for Food Marketing; and "Accessing Capital to Enhance Your Business Opportunities," by representatives from the Department of Agriculture's PAgrows and Center for Farm Transitions economic development team.

For more information about PA Preferred, visit www.papreferred.com.

CONTACT:

Nicole L. Cullison

(717) 787-5085

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture

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