By Scout Nelson
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture's (MDA) Minnesota Pavilion marked its presence at the 2024 Specialty Food Association’s Winter Fancy Food Show in Las Vegas recently. This initiative aimed to spotlight local Minnesota food and beverage businesses on a national stage, offering them a platform for growth and exposure.
The Minnesota Pavilion program, a part of the MDA, assists state food and beverage companies in participating in national trade shows. It offers reduced booth costs and supports in promotional and logistical aspects.
The program’s goal is to foster food manufacturing in Minnesota, encourage the use of local agricultural products, and bolster job creation and economic development in the state's food sectors.
At the 2024 Winter Fancy Food Show, the Minnesota Pavilion featured these distinct brands:
- Janet’s Finest Compotes, known for their berry and jalapeno compotes with a unique sweet and spicy blend.
- Maazah Chutney, offering flavor-rich Middle Eastern sauces.
- Mixly Cocktail Co., specializing in premium mocktail and cocktail mixers.
- Plucky Pickle Dip, presenting tangy and crunchy dips for snacking.
Yasameen Sajady, co-founder and CEO of Maazah, shared her positive experience at the show, highlighting the opportunities for networking and forming new retail partnerships. Jennifer Alexander from the MDA underscored the importance of such trade shows in establishing national connections and promoting Minnesota's specialty food sector.
The Winter Fancy Food Show, hosted by the Specialty Food Association, serves as a crucial meeting point for specialty food artisans, entrepreneurs, distributors, and retailers. It's a venue for showcasing innovative products, networking, and educational opportunities aimed at growing specialty food businesses.
The Minnesota Pavilion is part of the Make it Minnesota program by the MDA, which provides various business development support for the food and beverage industry.
Photo Credit: minnesota-department-of-agriculture
Categories: Minnesota, General