Manhattan, Kan. – Kansas food companies will be in the spotlight at the Summer Fancy Food Show, hosted by the Specialty Food Association.  The international event, June 29 - July 1, in New York City at the Javits Convention Center, will feature seven From the Land of Kansas^™ companies in the Kansas pavilion.

“We are excited to showcase some of these unique companies and their innovative products,” said Stacy Mayo, director of the From the Land of Kansas agricultural trademark program.  “The show traditionally has great traffic and includes many national and international buyers who are very interested in learning more about great Kansas products to add to their retail offerings.”

The participating Kansas companies will also have the opportunity to meet directly with more than 20 buyers in a meeting coordinated by the Kansas Department of Agriculture and the Food Export Association of the Midwest.  Buyers from China, Japan, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Columbia, France, Hong Kong, India, South Korea, Kuwait, Mexico, Poland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey and the United Kingdom will be matched with Kansas companies who have a mutual interest in exporting products to the various countries.

The food export market continues to grow for Kansas companies.  In 2013, Kansas food and food ingredient companies reported increasing their exports due to KDA and food export activities to just over $3 million. Companies also reported adding 37 jobs due to increased export sales.

Chef Alli, a From the Land of Kansas partner, will also be attending the show and demonstrating recipes in the Kansas pavilion. The recipes feature at least one product from each of the companies in the pavilion.   Recipes created and demonstrated by Chef Alli at the show will be available at FromtheLandofKansas.wordpress.com/recipes.

Kansas companies participating in the show include Rabbit Creek Gourmet Foods, Louisburg; Sunflower Food Company, Lenexa; Mixes Inc/Pantry Shelf, Hutchinson; Hankerings LLC, Salvy Sousa, Arkansas City; Fine Foods of America, Fine Vines, Leawood; Original Juans, Kansas City and Cashmere Popcorn, Topeka.

During the event, KDA staff will continue to build relationships with national and international buyers looking to purchase Kansas products for their businesses. 

“We are fortunate in Kansas to have a wide variety of high-quality food companies. Our goal is to help buyers make connections with Kansas companies creating products and flavor profiles that are of interest to buyers from around the country and the world,” Mayo said. “We help represent all Kansas agriculture companies and make those connections.”

For more information on the opportunities available to specialty food companies, like participation in the Kansas pavilion at Fancy Food Shows, please contact Mayo at 785-564-6759 or stacy.mayo@kda.ks.gov.

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