Penn State to hold annual food showcase
Penn State Extension Allegheny County will hold its “Local Food Showcase: A Grower/Buyer Event,” from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 20 at Shadyside Academy, Fox Chapel.
The event brings together western Pennsylvania food producers with consumers and food industry professionals.
The heart of the event is an expo-style networking session. Local farmers and value added producers will be on hand representing their products and businesses. The producers will have information on their products, availability and businesses. The event also is an opportunity to source locally made and distributed products for retail, restaurant, community supported agriculture, wholesale and home use.
In addition to the networking event, sessions will be held, including demonstrations, tastings and educational programs. Morning workshops will be held on Marcellus Shale and agriculture and using social media to promote business.
The full spectrum of locally-produced foods will be represented, including fruits, vegetables, meats, eggs, cheese, baked goods, sauces and salsas.
The goal of the showcase is to foster economic development through business relationships between farmers, chefs, retailers, wholesalers and institutions for the upcoming 2012 growing season and beyond.
There is a fee to attend. Registration and a continental breakfast will be held from 9 to 9:30 a.m. The morning educational workshops will be held from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. in the Hillman Center for the Performing Arts. The afternoon local food showcase expo will be held from 1 to 4 p.m.
For information, call the Extension Office at 412-473-2540 or go online to http://extension.psu.edu/allegheny.