MANHATTAN, Kan. – Seven From the Land of Kansas member companies were represented in Kansas Pavilion at the 2015 Summer Fancy Food Show in New York City. The food show is one of the largest U.S. specialty food shows and includes more than 2,500 exhibitors and 25,000 buyers from across the country and the globe. From the Land of Kansas is the state trademark program within the Kansas Department of Agriculture.
Stacy Mayo, From the Land of Kansas program director, coordinated the marketing effort. “Participating companies were able to showcase their products and market them to retail buyers,” said Mayo. “Our goals for the show were to promote the From the Land of Kansas brand, support our companies by creating an environment that attracted buyers and help make connections for all of our member companies.”
The seven member companies attending were:
• Copperleaf Gourmet, Lawrence
• Fine Vines Artisan Ketchup, Leawood
• Jack Stack Barbecue, Lenexa
• Original Juan, Kansas City
• Pantry Shelf/Thaniels, Kansas City
• Rabbit Creek, Louisburg
• Sunflower Food Company, Lenexa
The Kansas pavilion was distinctive at the show with the inclusion of the product demonstrations by Chef Alli, From the Land of Kansas’ program ambassador. “Chef Alli created dishes showcasing each of the member companies’ products as the star,” said Mayo. “This helped buyers taste the quality of the product and see the versatility of the products in recipes in addition to tasting the pure product at each member’s booth.”
The recipes are available to buyers and the general public at FromtheLandofKansas.com/Recipes.
While in New York City, the From the Land of Kansas team also worked to promote Kansas agriculture across the city in other popular venues. “We wanted to fully promote Kansas, so we took advantage of the morning Today show to showcase our logo during the crowd segments with signage that we brought along. We met many people and spent time answering the question ‘What’s from Kansas?’ while making a splash on social media,” Mayo said.
The social media highlights of the trip and the Fancy Food promotion can be found by searching #KSTakesonNY on Instagram and Facebook.
For more information about the From the Land of Kansas program, or to check out where you can buy products from Kansas companies, visit FromtheLandofKansas.com.
