Colorado Proud Newsletter
February 2010 Colorado Proud Newsletter
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Colorado Proud News & Events
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Trade Shows
Other News, Events & Opportunities
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Colorado Proud News & Events
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Marketing Your Food Product Workshop, April 22, 2010
Community College of Aurora
16000 East CentreTech Parkway
Aurora, CO 80011-9036
The next "Marketing Your Food Product" workshop is Thursday, April 22, 2010, at the Community College of Aurora. Speakers will make presentations on a variety of topics including food safety and labeling, creating a brand, developing a marketing plan, marketing on a budget, social networking and selling your product. This workshop also provides a great opportunity for you to network with others in your industry. Registration is only $35 and includes a continental breakfast, lunch and workshop materials. Pre-registration is required! Visit www.coloradoagriculture.com for the agenda and registration information. For more information contact Wendy at (303) 239-4119.
New Colorado Market Maker (CMM) Links Companies with Buyers. Colorado’s agricultural companies that grow, raise, process or sell food, now have a new resource to help them. Colorado Market Maker (CMM) is an online program that locates producers, businesses and markets of food products, providing an important link between Colorado producers, their buyers and consumers. Producers can use the program to find processors, wholesalers, distributors, retailers, restaurants or farmers’ markets who are interested in buying their products. Producers who are registered on the site can be easily found by potential buyers and consumers.
Registration and use of Colorado Market Maker (CMM) is free. Producers, processors, wholesalers, retailers, restaurants, farmers’ markets and wineries will be invited via e-mail to register online in the coming months at www.comarketmaker.com. By clicking on the link, “Register Your Business,” you will be able to control the information listed. Businesses that are already registered can establish their own unique user name and password so they can update their information at any time.
Another key feature of Colorado Market Maker (CMM) is the Marketplace – Buy & Sell Forum. Through this forum, businesses will be able to register for trade leads and alerts as well as post specific product availability and see buyers requests when logged in.
Look for an e-mail in the coming months to register and be a part of the new Colorado Market Maker (CMM). For more information and questions, contact Dawn M. Velásquez de Pérez at dawn.velasquez@ag.state.co.us or call (303) 239-4123.
2010 Colorado Farm Fresh Directory. The Colorado Department of Agriculture is publishing the 26th Anniversary edition of this popular directory in May. This directory continues to grow every year, and we are working hard to help promote your products and businesses. Approximately 90,000 copies of the directory will be distributed to welcome centers, visitor centers, chambers of commerce, libraries and other businesses across the state. Farm Fresh is the “go-to” guide for consumers and the media to find roadside stands, farmers’ markets, agritourism activities and farms that sell direct to the public. The listing fee remains at the low price of $25. For more information or to receive a listing form, contact Loretta Lopez at (303) 239-4115. The listing deadline is February 15.
WestEx 2010. Visit the Rocky Mountain Regional Foodservice and Restaurant Exposition on Tuesday, May 11 at the Denver Merchandise Mart. Click here to register to attend for free. Be sure to visit the Colorado Proud booths in the Expo Hall, Booth #s 3137, 3139, 3238 and 3240.
Kudos Korner. La Estrellita Restaurant was featured on ABC Nightline. Freshies Habanero Hot Bloody Mary Mix was awarded the 2010 Golden Chile Award from the Fiery Foods Competition and also received 3rd Place in the 2010 Scovie Awards for Best Bloody Mary Mix. Schultz’s Gourmet was featured in an article in the Colorado Springs Gazette. Congratulations to the following Colorado Proud restaurants for being honored with the “Award of Culinary Excellence” from the American Culinary Federation Colorado Chefs Association: Metate Room at Far View Lodge, Jus Cookin’s, Restaurant Six89, The Warehouse Restaurant, Avenue Grill and Spoons.
New Product News. Justin’s Nut Butter introduced new flavors including Organic Chocolate Peanut, All-Natural Chocolate Almond and All-Natural Chocolate Hazelnut at the Winter Fancy Foods Show.
What’s New? Do you have new products coming soon or have you won an exciting award? If so, let me know! I’d love to hear about what is new. If you have news to share, contact Wendy at (303) 239-4119.
Featured Member. Don’t forget to visit the “Featured Member” section at www.coloradoproud.org. February showcases Carmen’s Kitchen Toffee. Would you like to be included online as the featured member? Call Wendy at (303) 239-4119 to reserve a month. As a featured member, you must include the Colorado Proud logo on your website.
Grants
Looking for Grants? Visit www.grants.gov.
Know Your Farmer. Know Your Food. Visit www.usda.gov/knowyourfarmer for information about grants and loans.
Grants Available for Colorado Specialty Crops. The Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA) is seeking proposals for the Specialty Crops Block Grant Program. Specialty crops are defined as fruits and vegetables, dried fruits, and nursery crops including floriculture and sod.
“Specialty crops are an important part of Colorado’s agriculture industry,” said Tom Lipetzky, CDA’s Markets Division Director. “These funds will help develop and promote the state’s diverse specialty crops.”
Colorado’s specialty crops represent approximately 10 percent of Colorado’s total agricultural cash receipts. Since 2000, cash receipts from specialty crops have increased by 67 percent from $445 million to $743 million, ranking Colorado 16th in the nation.
The grant program is funded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) which partners with state departments of agriculture to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crop producers in areas such as marketing, promotion, education, research, trade and nutrition.
“The department must submit a request outlining projects to the USDA in order to receive these funds,” continued Lipetzky. “This application process will help determine which projects are included in our proposal to the USDA.”
CDA anticipates that more than $750,000 will be available to support the specialty crop grant and funds are expected to be available August 2010. Producer groups, organizations, and associations, as well as state and local organizations, academia and other specialty crops stakeholders are eligible to apply either as single entities or in combined efforts. Proposals submitted by individual producers must demonstrate that the potential impact of the project will accrue to a broader group of similar producers, region or industry segment.
Proposals must be received by close of business (4:30pm) on March 1, 2010. For more information and an application, visit www.colorado.gov/ag/specialtycropgrant or call (303) 239-4116.
Trade Shows
"Colorado Proud Pavilion" at the Denver Home Show. The Denver Home Show at the National Western Complex on March 19-21, 2010, invites all members of Colorado Proud to exhibit at the discounted rate of $349 per booth. (Booths measure 5' x 10' and include electricity.) If interested in exhibiting your products to thousands of consumers at the Denver Home Show contact Laura Martin at (512) 248-2088 or e-mail LauraM@marketplaceEvents.com.
Denver Gift, Home, Jewelry & Resort Show. The next gift show at the Denver Merchandise Mart is February 27-March 2, 2010. Colorado Proud will be unable to have a section at this show, but if you are interested in exhibiting, contact Bridget Oakes at (303) 292-6278 x5295 or visit www.denvermart.com.
Denver Food & Kitchen Expo. This new expo will feature the best of Colorado food, beverages, kitchen gadgets, chef competitions, and more at the Colorado Convention Center, October 8-10, 2010. This show will feature all things related to food, beverages, kitchens and cooking in one convenient central location, and at a strategic time of year when people are enjoying the harvest season, and the preparation and enjoyment of fresh, locally produced foods and food items. This expo also will serve as a premier indoor "farmer's market" to close out the 2010 growing season. Expo visitors will find an entire show floor of vendors offering fresh food items, prepared food items, beverages, kitchen equipment, gadgets, and supplies, kitchen and outdoor living designers and products, Chef's Table (book signings, career advice about becoming a chef, informational questions and answers about food preparation), and food competitions! Booth prices begin at $475. For more information contact Chef Walter Neuhold, (970) 223-4004 or e-mail expo@ProfessionalChef.com.
Other News, Events & Opportunities
Growing Your Future in Larimer County. The Larimer County Agricultural Advisory Board will host its first educational program on March 13, 2010, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Larimer County Courthouse, 200 W. Oak Street, Fort Collins, CO. John R. Stulp, Colorado Commissioner of Agriculture, will open the general session with an overview of the value agriculture brings to our state and local economies. Following Commissioner Stulp will be topics on the history of water and its use in Colorado, grazing management, weed control, wind and solar use, global climate change, and agricultural marketing as it relates to business planning, agricultural taxes and starting an ag. related business. The cost to attend this all day event is $25 per person, which includes lunch. Late registration after March 7, 2010, will be $35 per person. For a complete list of programs, speakers and to obtain a registration form, please visit the Larimer County Extension web site at www.larimer.org/ext and click on current events or call (970) 498-6000.
Workshops. There are a variety of local organizations that host business workshops. Be sure to visit the following sites for great information and event calendars.
Aurora Business Development Center: www.aurorabdc.com
Colorado Small Business Administration: http://www.sba.gov/localresources/district/co/index.html
Colorado Small Business Development Center Networks: www.coloradosbdc.org
Denver Metro Small Business Development Center: www.denversbdc.org
SCORE: www.score.org
ActionCOACH: www.actioncoach.com/yolandaduperret/events.php
Classifieds
If you have information you would like to include in the "Classifieds," please send a short paragraph to Wendy at Wendy.White@ag.state.co.us by the 25th of the month for inclusion in the newsletter. Ads will be removed after two months.
Service Guide. Looking for label printers or a graphic designer? How about a web development company or food consultant? Be sure to visit the Colorado Proud Service Guide for a helpful list of contacts.
Looking for Kitchen Space or a Co-Packer? Visit our Colorado Co-Pack Directory online.
Bakery For Sale. Due to the illness of one of the principal owners, Java Bites Espresso Cookies wholesale bakery is for sale. Information and pictures can be found at www.gcolorado.com (please type in 'bakery' in the search bar) or by calling David at (719) 440-7580.
For Sale. We have a positive displacement sanitary grade Sine Pump for sale, model SP 50 25NNTC which is in excellent condition, $3,750. A new one runs as much as $6,000. A one year old 6 x 12 Interstate trailer with AC, insulated, ramp, extended tong, torsion suspension, and more for $5,500 (new $7,000). We are scaling back our retail bakery operation and the following items which are currently in use are also for sale: "Subway" style oven and proofer; Federal Industries dry bakery display case, cold bakery/deli display case; Beverage Air sandwich table, 4 ft.; True single door refrigerator; and True two door freezer; 6 tables and chairs. For details and price information, contact us at (970) 882-0174 or orders@highdesertfoods.com.
CSA Land Available. I have the land, equipment and water, but not the time. If you are looking for some land to use as a CSA garden, perhaps we can work together. Many acres available, with greenhouse in Bennett, CO. Serious inquiries from experienced CSA gardeners only. Contact Dallas Gilbert, co_op@easternplains.com.
Co-Packing, Kitchen Network at Morrison Road Complex. Our experience and knowledge has been expanded to a new level. As of September 2009 we are pleased to announce the certification prescribed by the FDA at the University of Lincoln, NE. Elaine McFerrin, owner/coordinator Kitchen Network, Liz Phairr, and Kandy Arellano Treto, food process co-packers have completed their Certified Food Process Authority program. Professional culinary chef, Nick Blassi, is available on site to assist you in the development of your recipes, expansion, ingredients and nutritionals, using the newest FDA compliant software. We also offer an in-house company to assist you in obtaining any jar, bottle or plastic container at the lowest prices available. Visit www.kitchennetworkdenver.com for more information.
Kitchen Space to Rent. Gilberto's Gourmet Goodness has opened a commissary kitchen in Fort Collins. This has been something that Jay and Danielle, owners of GGG, have wanted to do for quite some time. The couple has gone into business with Jay's older brother and his wife in order to launch the Brown Dog Family Kitchen. The facility is located at 3512 South Mason Street, which is directly behind the Breakfast Club restaurant. Not only will we be producing all 8 of GGG's salsas and sauces there, but we will be developing a catering menu for special parties/events, business lunches, etc. Additionally, we will be renting the kitchen out at an hourly rate to licensed manufacturers that need a facility to produce their products. The equipment available to renters include two 40 gallon steam jacketed kettles, a double oven with a 10 burner top, two walk in refrigerators, dishwasher, etc. Please contact Jay at (970) 217-7072 or e-mail info@gilbertosgourmetgoodness.com if you are interested in visiting the facility.
Kitchen Space to Rent. La Estrellita Salsa has kitchen space available to rent in the Denver area. For more information, contact John Montoya at (720) 404-5613.
*Not all events are sponsored by Colorado Proud, and inclusion in the newsletter does not constitute an endorsement by the Colorado Department of Agriculture.