The Indiana State Department of Agriculture’s Indiana Grown initiative returns as the presenting sponsor of the second annual Fantastic Food Fest, the state’s largest interactive food and beverage event. Taking place Jan. 21-22 at the Indiana State Fairgrounds and Event Center, nearly 50 Indiana Grown members will be showcasing their products in front of thousands of Hoosier consumer attendees. These homegrown businesses from across the state will be able to sample and sell their products during the event.

Fantastic Food Fest is a wonderful way to support Hoosier businesses and Indiana agriculture,” said Ted McKinney, Indiana State Department of Agriculture Director. “With more than half of Champions Pavilion dedicated to Indiana Grown, we are proud to sponsor the Fantastic Food Fest and look forward to the growth opportunities this presents our members.”

Running from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 21, and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 22, Fantastic Food Fest will feature Indiana Grown products in demonstrations, presentations, cooking classes and workshops with celebrity chefs Alex Guarnaschelli, Loreal Gavin and Tanorria Askew. After huge successes at last year’s event, Indiana Grown members are eager to return.

The Fantastic Food Fest is a great opportunity for us to tell our story, display new products and reach a broader audience,” said Tim Vanzant, owner of Risin’ Creek Creamery. “Because of last year’s event, we saw a 200 percent increase in business and benefitted from increased exposure and brand awareness. We’re looking forward to sampling our award-winning goat cheeses this year.”

In addition to bringing back several Indiana Grown favorites, like White Chocolate Pretzel peanut butter from B. Happy Peanut Butter, Coco Love almond butter from Revival Food Co. and Morning Jolt breakfast blend coffee from JavAroma Roasters, attendees will be able to meet members of Indiana Grown as they offer their unique products for taste testing and purchasing.

For more information on Fantastic Food Fest events, demonstrations, exhibitors and online ticketing, visit FantasticFoodFest.com. To stay up to date on the latest information about the show, follow Fantastic Food Fest’s social channels on Facebook at Fantastic Food Fest and on Twitter at @FanFoodFest, or follow the action using the hashtag #fanfoodfest17.

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ABOUT INDIANA GROWN

Developed and supported by the Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA), the Indiana Grown Initiative educates consumers on the importance of buying Indiana Grown products, helps Indiana farmers and producers sell more products and supports Indiana processers in their effort to process more Indiana Grown products. Indiana Grown members and partners include farmers, producers, processors and artisans, as well as retailers, grocers and restaurants. For more information about this free program, visit www.IndianaGrown.org.