Delaware News

First Rate – First State Summit draws about 140 farmers and produce buyers

Department of Agriculture | News | Date Posted: Wednesday, February 6, 2013



Photos are available for media use on Flickr.

DOVER – About 140 fruit and vegetable growers across Delaware and produce buyers from around the region met Wednesday at Delaware’s fifth annual produce marketing meet-and-greet First Rate - First State Summitsession, the First Rate – First State Summit, designed to connect farmers with the people who purchase their products.

With record attendance this year, the initiative of the Delaware Department of Agriculture’s Marketing Section helps farmers, retailers, restaurants and consumers, said Secretary of Agriculture Ed Kee.

“Farmers can meet many different buyers, grocers, restaurants and retailers find new local sources for their produce, and consumers ultimately get better variety, fresh from their local fields,” said Kee. “This event is core to our mission of helping farmers in our small state reach more markets and thrive economically.”

The informal networking session was held at Delaware Technical Community College’s Terry Campus, a one-stop experience where retail buyers, school district nutrition supervisors, restaurants and farmers’ market managers seeking new vendors could meet and discuss products informally and exchange information. Almost every grocery chain in Delaware was represented at this year’s event.

In just five years, the summit has led to many contracts for growers, said David M. Smith, a Department of Agriculture marketing specialist, who coordinated the event.

“One farm began selling to several school districts because of this event,” Smith said. “Another grower tells us that he picks up a new account here every year. This event really is about making connections and developing those important relationships, and it works.”

Delaware farmers or retail buyers interested in learning more about Delaware produce and grower opportunities can contact Department of Agriculture marketing specialist David Smith at (302) 698-4522 or davidm.smith@delaware.gov.

 

Photos are available for media use on Flickr.

# # #

Contact:
Dan Shortridge
Chief of Community Relations
Delaware Department of Agriculture
302-698-4520

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Keep up to date by receiving a daily digest email, around noon, of current news release posts from state agencies on news.delaware.gov.

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First Rate – First State Summit draws about 140 farmers and produce buyers

Department of Agriculture | News | Date Posted: Wednesday, February 6, 2013



Photos are available for media use on Flickr.

DOVER – About 140 fruit and vegetable growers across Delaware and produce buyers from around the region met Wednesday at Delaware’s fifth annual produce marketing meet-and-greet First Rate - First State Summitsession, the First Rate – First State Summit, designed to connect farmers with the people who purchase their products.

With record attendance this year, the initiative of the Delaware Department of Agriculture’s Marketing Section helps farmers, retailers, restaurants and consumers, said Secretary of Agriculture Ed Kee.

“Farmers can meet many different buyers, grocers, restaurants and retailers find new local sources for their produce, and consumers ultimately get better variety, fresh from their local fields,” said Kee. “This event is core to our mission of helping farmers in our small state reach more markets and thrive economically.”

The informal networking session was held at Delaware Technical Community College’s Terry Campus, a one-stop experience where retail buyers, school district nutrition supervisors, restaurants and farmers’ market managers seeking new vendors could meet and discuss products informally and exchange information. Almost every grocery chain in Delaware was represented at this year’s event.

In just five years, the summit has led to many contracts for growers, said David M. Smith, a Department of Agriculture marketing specialist, who coordinated the event.

“One farm began selling to several school districts because of this event,” Smith said. “Another grower tells us that he picks up a new account here every year. This event really is about making connections and developing those important relationships, and it works.”

Delaware farmers or retail buyers interested in learning more about Delaware produce and grower opportunities can contact Department of Agriculture marketing specialist David Smith at (302) 698-4522 or davidm.smith@delaware.gov.

 

Photos are available for media use on Flickr.

# # #

Contact:
Dan Shortridge
Chief of Community Relations
Delaware Department of Agriculture
302-698-4520

image_printPrint


Graphic that represents delaware news on a mobile phone

Keep up to date by receiving a daily digest email, around noon, of current news release posts from state agencies on news.delaware.gov.

Here you can subscribe to future news updates.