Grower + Buyer Mash Up / Chef Showcase
March 22, 2021 – The Midlands Local Food Collaborative has partnered with the South Carolina Department of Agriculture to present the 1st annual Grower + Buyer Mashup with Chef Showcase to be held at the State Farmers Market south shed on March 22, 2021. Are you a chef or buyer in retail, food service or wholesale seeking to work with more South Carolina producers? Or are you a farmer or producer looking for new markets to sell your product? This outdoor event will be an excellent opportunity to connect.
The Midlands Local Food Collaborative (MLFC) is a group of organizations dedicated to a robust local food system in the Midlands of South Carolina. Collaborative members provide education, technical and financial assistance and community advocacy to promote sustainable agriculture, land stewardship, and equitable food access.
The South Carolina Department of Agriculture, in conjunction with The Midlands Local Food Collaborative will host farmers and producers, chefs, farm to institution & farm to school personnel, distributors, retailers, buyers, food writers, & local food leaders at the Certified South Carolina Grower Buyer Mash Up. The event is an opportunity for South Carolina producers to meet potential buyers for their products – and an opportunity for chefs, distributors, retail and wholesale-level food buyers who want to include local food in their menus or product offerings to meet local producers to supply that demand.
The event will kick off at noon with a two-part educational panel discussion and box lunch. Topics will include a wholesale, food hub, and restaurant buyer panel and a discussion on the unique value proposition of incorporating more local food items in menus. Following the educational session, producers will exhibit trade show style from 2-5 pm with product lists, marketing materials, production calendars, and pricing. There will be several featured chefs exhibiting and a chance to try food prepared with products grown by some of the exhibiting farms.
Both the educational and trade show portions of the event will be held outside at the State Farmers Market in West Columbia, SC following social distancing guidelines.
https://grower-buyer-mash-up.eventbrite.com