Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tommy Irvin is hosting a Georgia Grown Food Show to bring buyers and sellers together.

The sellers are Georgia farmers. They are being matched with buyers such as wholesale marketers, food retailers, restaurateurs, chefs and others in the hospitality industry. They believe it is important to buy agriculture products locally to ensure freshness, superior taste and good quality.  

The Georgia Grown Food Show, for commercial food buyers and hospitality officials only, will be held 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Nov. 12 at the Atlanta State Farmers Market. The ribbon-cutting opening ceremony is scheduled for noon.

“It’s important that we put Georgia farmers in the best position possible to market Georgia grown products not only in the state and nationally, but worldwide,” Irvin said. 

“It is not unusual for some Georgia farmers to sell their products to out-of-state marketers who in return resell it to retailers and restaurants in our state. We want to increase direct access to our farm markets,” Irvin says. “It is better for the farmer and the consumer to conduct business as close to the farm as possible.”

The food show will have 66 booths showcasing Georgia fruits, vegetables, meats, poultry, seafood, dairy products, jams, jellies and nuts.

Experts and governmental officials will be available to help farmers interested in finance, marketing, distribution, exporting and regulatory statutes. 

Some of the notable agriculture interests participating in the food show include Lane Packing, Perdue Farms, Flat Creek Lodge, Georgia Wine Association, Georgia Restaurant Association and the American Culinary Federation.