Gov. Blagojevich announces Illinois Products Expo to feature variety of local food and agricultural products

SPRINGFIELD - In an effort to promote Illinois-made products and support jobs in his state's vital food processing industry, Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today announced 60 Illinois food companies and agriculture associations will take part in the Illinois Department of Agriculture's 10^th annual Illinois Products Expo, including 17 new exhibitors. 

 

The aptly-titled Food and Cooking Extravaganza, which also features agriculture-based products like soy candles, soaps and lotions, will be held June 21-22 in the Orr Building on the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield. 

 

"The Illinois Products Expo raises awareness about the diversity and economic importance of our food industry, and is an excellent opportunity for Illinois companies to market their products directly to consumers and food buyers," said Gov. Blagojevich. 

 

Illinois ranks first in the United States in sales of processed food products, and third in food processing jobs.  The state's 1,506 food companies employ more than 89,000 workers.   

 

The Expo's food offerings, which can be sampled for free as well as purchased, will include fresh meat products, candy, gourmet seasonings and sauces, homemade jams and jellies, and specialty dressings.  Beverages also will be available.  Expo visitors can quench their thirst with Pepsi products or Stewart's coffee that the Illinois FFA will sell or a sip of Illinois wine from one of 13 vintners.  Wine will be sold by the sample, glass and bottle. 

 

Expo hours are:  Saturday, June 21, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sunday, June 22, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Admission is $3.  Children 10 and younger will be admitted free of charge.

 

Drawings will be held for door prizes, including baskets of Illinois food products and an $800 Weber Genesis E-310 gas grill. 

 

The American Egg Board, Illinois Beef Association, Illinois Farm Bureau, Illinois Finance Authority, Illinois Food Retailers Association, Illinois Grape Growers and Vintners Association and Illinois Pork Producers Association are sponsoring the expo, along with the Illinois Department of Agriculture Bureau of Marketing and Promotion and participating food companies and agribusinesses.

 

 

A list of the participating food companies, wineries and agriculture associations follows:

 

Ahruns Famous, Crystal Lake

American Egg Board, Springfield

*Avanti Foods, Walnut

*Bloodshot Bloody Mary Mix, Spfld.

*Bluestem Bake Shop, Elkhart

*Bookers Tavern Chilli, Glenarm

*C & C Fudge, Lincoln

Chef Dick's Barbecue Sauce, Girard

Country Bob, Centralia

*Country Cheese and More, Arthur

Country Lights Soy Candles, Leland

*Country Orchard, Quincy

Coupla Guys Foods, Chicago

Darn Hot Peppers, Cobden

E. Formella & Sons, Woodridge

Eagle Bridges Soy Candles, Jacksonville

*Elmwood Meat Shop, Elmwood

H & B Ham Company, Brighton

Hannah's Granna's, Charleston

Illinois Association FFA, Springfield

Ill. Grape Growers & Vintners, Pittsfield

Ill. State Beekeepers Assn., Rochester

Ill. State Turkey Growers, Williamsville

J. D. Mullen Company, Palestine

J. K. Marley's, Loves Park

*Julie's Corner Store, Lacon

Kitchen Cooked, Farmington

*Little Barks, Decatur

M & G Foods, Hamilton

Mackinaw Valley Apiaries, Mackinaw

*Midwest Meats, Pana

*New Packing Company, Chicago

Oakland Noodle Company, Oakland

Onofrio's Classic Sauces, Springfield

Pasta Alley, Decatur

Pease's Candy, Springfield

Purvis Horizon Farms, Peoria

R.G.W. Candy Company, Atlanta

Red Cactus Salsa, Quincy

*Ropp Jersey Cheese, Normal

Sasse's Apiary, Chestnut

Spice of Life, Decatur

*Starship, Forest Park

*The Homestead Bakery, Arthur

*Thrushwood Farms, Galesburg

Toohill Seed & Beef Services, Heyworth

*Uncle Joe's Sauces, Ina

 

Alto Vineyards, Alto Pass                                      

Baxter's Vineyards, Nauvoo

Berryville Vineyards, Claremont

Collver Family Winery, Barry

Fox Creek Vineyards, Olney

Fox Valley Winery, Oswego

Hill Prairie Winery, Oakford

Hopewell Winery, Rockport

Lasata Wines, Lawrenceville

Mary Michelle Winery, Carrollton

Pheasant Hollow Winery, Whittington

Shawnee Winery, Vienna

Willett's Winery & Cellar, Manito

 

*new participant