The historical Maryland’s Best Expo, now in its 18th year, will once again give buyers from supermarkets, schools, foodservice operations and food distributors a chance to mingle with farmers and other food producers from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 19, 2022.
The expo was launched 19 years ago, when a handful of produce farmers gathered with some buyers in the basement of the agriculture department, Mark Powell, chief of agriculture and seafood marketing for the Maryland Department of Agriculture, said.
There was no expo in 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
About 400 people are expected to attend the 2022 event.
The Maryland Chapter of the Farmer Veteran Coalition will also meet during the expo.
The event will be held at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Md.
“This premiere event plays an important role in connecting our Maryland farmers and producers to buyers from around the state,” Joe Bartenfelder, Maryland’s agriculture secretary, said in a news release.
Participants at the 2020 Maryland’s Best Expo included farmers, producers, watermen, aquaculturists, processors, grocery store retailers, restaurants, schools, institutions, distributors, economic development officials, University of Maryland Extension agents and regional agricultural marketing officials.
The Maryland’s Best campaign is in its 20th year, Powell said.
“It all ties into the demand for local product in Maryland,” he said. “All our surveys indicate that local food is popular.”
The promotional program presents weekly profiles on public television and advertises on public radio and in newspapers and other media to tout Maryland products, he said.
“Basically, grocery store chains and other businesses are benefitting from all that advertising,” Powell said. “It’s definitely been a successful campaign.”
Registration is required for the expo. Deadline to sign up is Jan. 5, 2022.
There is a $25 fee for a table display space. There is no fee for buyers, but they must register.
For more information about the expo or to register, visit marylandsbest.maryland.gov.
