Artisan Foods and Crafts Year Around in Park City

The Market Hall, located next to the Park City Coffee Roasters on Ute Boulevard are slated to open a year around sustainable, fresh food and art retail outlet. Join in the open house and grand opening on November 7th, 2009. The concept is to feature small, sustainable producers at an indoor marketplace. Many of those companies are part of the summer attraction at the Park City farmers market as well as quality Utah's Own companies such as Beehive Cheese, Canyon Meadows Natural Beef, Drake Family Farms, Lehi Roller Mills, Morgan Valley Lamb, and Volkers Bakery will be in attendance. Others include the Flying Fish Natural Seafood, Orians Music and Glassware, The Original Way Arts and Crafts, Silver Rose Bakery, Tree Hugger Granola products and Totally Gourmet Organic Spices. There will be stalls for vending as well as rotating booths to allow flexibility for local businesses and greater variety for customers.

Days Market Annual Holiday Sale

Utah's Own will be in attendance at the Annual Days Market Holiday extravaganza November 5th. There will be many Utah's Own companies in attendance as well as the spin and win from your Utah's Own. Come and win t-shirts as well as other products from Days Market and Utah companies. Events start at 3 PM and go until 8 PM. There will be great deals and fun activities. This is an event to drive for if you do not live in Heber City.

Utah Milk for Utah Families

Utah Farms is providing your favorite chocolate milk and eggnog at your local Smith's Markets for the holiday season. The label identifies the milk as "Utah Milk for Utah Families". This true independent group of dairy producers from the Delta area are attempting to put a face on their product and in turn allowing Utah consumers to actively support their industry. This is your chance to consume a quality Utah product. You can be assured that the very best milk is being used. Utah Farms has a long history of providing quality products to consumers in Utah as well as the Las Vegas area of Nevada. Support your local dairy industry and purchase your holiday treats at your local Smith's Markets.

In Search For Cheapness

Americans are determined to spend less at the grocery store. Interesting, 4 in 5 adults (80%) think the price of groceries in general has increased since this time last year. However, the governments Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price index release for July 2009 shows the food at home index has declined for the seventh time in the past 8 months for a total decrease of 2.6%. The surveys show that more persons are eating at home, but conflict what they are eating. If you label microwaving as cooking, which many do not, there is an increase in frozen dinners being prepared. Merely thawing it out and reheating has fallen to new lows. Americans looking for comfort seem to be migrating to snacking. Potato chips has risen to a new high. The majority do not want to compromise quality or safety of food, but want to be able to find ways to purchase food that fits their budget. Americans are fiercely focused on price, and are willing to switch brands if there is a better deal. Healthier eating seems to have taken a hit as they tend to be more expensive. Events seem to be making the consumer rethink all purchases, not just food. The economy certainly has had an effect on eating habits and perhaps shifted the need from healthy to cheap and convenient.

Winder Farms Winning Chocolate Milk

Congratulations to Winder Farms, winner at the recent World Dairy Expo in Madison Wisconsin for the most outstanding low-fat chocolate milk in the Western United States and second best in the World. They were also given a medal for the most outstanding buttermilk in the Western United States and second best in the world. Winder Farms is a quality Utah's Own company that not only distributes door to door their quality milk, but now with over 300 items, the milkman is more than milk. Their motto "Your Farmers Market on Wheels" takes on a new meaning with all the quality Utah's Own products that they deliver such as meat, bakery, produce, juices and now meals; but best Chocolate Milk and Buttermilk in the Western United States.

Urban Conference Updates

The information is out about the South West Marketing Network conference to be held in Salt Lake City on 16 November. Click Here for a full conference program and agenda. This conference is a must for and and all agriculture producers in Utah. Mark your calendar now and plan to be in attendance.

Camel Chocolate

I have heard of milking cows, goats and sheep. I even have a friend that refers to lame attempts of mouse milking. I could not resist the new chocolate of champions...Camel Chocolate. Coming from Dubai, with a farm of over 3000 camels, the goal is to produce over 100 tons of premium chocolate each year. According to the reports, camels milk offers 5 times the vitamin C as cows milk, has less fat, lactose and more insulin. I have seen some camels in Utah. Look out Hogle Zoo. For you dairy producers that are struggling, I wonder what it costs to feed a Camel, and exactly how much milk they give. I know some great chocolate producers.

Does Sampling Drive Sales?

Knowledge Networks-PDI, an independent research firm conducted a study that shows in-store sampling significantly increases sales the day of sampling, but also reveals a 75% increase in sales 20 weeks after the initial sampling. This is true for new product lines as well as existing lines. The study also shows that the in store sampling increases the average household shopping basket spent by more than 10% as compared to the average frequent shopper basket in the same store. Do you wonder then why you can graze while shopping at your local grocery store. It is just good business. When you see a quality Utah product being sampled, try it, return and buy it, and contribute to supporting local business.

Rural Farming Conference coming to Utah

The Southwest Marketing Network (SWMN)will hold it's first ever state conference in Salt Lake City on November 16th in the West Valley City, UT, Cultural Celebration Center. If you are an urban farmer along the Wasatch Front, you do not want to miss this conference. This is also a real opportunity for any rancher of farmer in Utah as well as processors, distributors or buyers interested in local food. Registration is only $25.00. A full detail of the program will be featured on the SWMN website in the next couple of weeks.
Conference segments will include Farm to School & Farm to Institution, Creating Partnerships in your Marketing, Continuing Rural Life on the Urban Fringe, Challenges of Rural and Urban Production and Marketing, and Scaling up to Larger Markets and Value Chains.
The lunch keynote speaker will be Salt Lake County Councilman Jim Bradley who with a group of citizens created the "Salt Lake County Urban Farming Proposal".

Down Home Cook-Off

Utah State Fair, September 18th concluded the Utah's Own Down Home Cook Off contest. Pictured are Steve Harmon from 94.1, the Morning Show, Contestant Michelle Struhs, Steve Reich-Vice President of Associated Retail Stores, Chef Brian-KUTV 2 noon news Fresh From the Kitchen, Contestant Kim Naegle and Amanda from the 94.1 Morning Show. It can only be labeled fun as the contestants showed their award winning recipes for the judges. Steve Reich declared both co-winners and awarded both finalists $1000.00 in groceries from the local Dicks, Dans, Lyns and Maceys Grocery stores. His awarding 2 first place prizes was a surprise to all, and I am sure welcomed by both contestants. We appreciate the Utah State Fair, their audience as well as the listeners of 94.1, the Oldies. Thanks also to the KUTV 2 Noon News teams. This concludes the third annual Down Home Cook Off. Thanks for all the entries as well as congratulations to the weekly contestants.