LEXINGTON, Va. (February 27, 2023) – Shenandoah Valley economic development and tourism offices have joined together with Virginia Grown, Virginia Cooperative Extension, and the Alliance for the Shenandoah Valley to present the Farm2Fork Affair on March 14, 2023 at the Rockingham County Fairgrounds. The event was last held in March 2019 and has been on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
At this event, buyers range from local grocers and restaurateurs to food service companies and others. They can taste the flavor of the Shenandoah Valley, experience the region firsthand, create new supplier partnerships, and discover the Valley’s significant impact on local food systems. Producers, farmers, makers, wineries, and others talk with buyers, offer samples, and educate buyers about their products.
“Four out of five of Virginia’s top agricultural producing counties are located in the Shenandoah Valley and more than 10,000 jobs in the Shenandoah Valley are in the Food & Beverage Industry,” said Joshua Gooden, Economic Development and Tourism Coordinator with Rockingham County and the top sponsor for the event. “Joining together with other local and state organizations to host and promote this event is a tangible way we can help boost local agriculture sales, the largest industry in Rockingham County,” Gooden continued.
In addition to Rockingham County, the other local government organizations that have partnered on this event include Frederick County, Clarke County, Shenandoah County, Page County, Augusta County, Rockbridge County, and the Cities of Staunton, Waynesboro, Lexington, and Buena Vista.
Rebekah Castle, Director of Economic Development and Marketing for Augusta County and another premiere sponsor for the event offered insight on what buyers can expect, “Buyers should come prepared to learn more about every stage of the farming business and to find producers that match their needs and market scale. Products such as produce, fruits, meats, cheeses, craft drink, jams, honey, hot sauces, pizza dough, and even flowers will be promoted, with many items available for sampling.”
There is still time for producers and buyers to register to attend. Producers can secure a booth space and wholesale buyers can register by visiting the event’s Eventbrite page at: https://Farm2Fork.eventbrite.com.
Nina Fox, Director of Economic Development and Tourism with Page County shared, “We’re excited to be a major sponsor for the Farm2Fork Affair this year. Agriculture is vitally important to Page County and the connections between producers and buyers at the Farm2Fork Affair create opportunities for farmers to increase sales and showcase the products we are proud to grow in Page County.”
More information can be found at www.farm2forkaffair.com.
