ILLINOIS PRODUCTS EXPO TO FEATURE LOCAL FOODS AND WINES

Expo

 

The aptly-titled “Food and Cooking Extravaganza,” which also features Illinois-made wines and agriculture-based products like soy candles, will be held March 3-4 in the Orr Building on the Illinois State Fairgrounds.  In all, 77 companies are scheduled to participate.

         Expo “The Illinois Products Expo allows food companies to market their products directly to consumers,” Illinois Department of Agriculture Acting Director Bob Flider said.  “Events like this are important because Illinois is one of the largest food processing states in the country.  They not only help create demand for our crops, but also support jobs in an economically-important industry.”

Many of the Expo’s food offerings can be purchased to take home and will include fresh meat products, gourmet seasonings and sauces, homemade jams and jellies and specialty dressings.  Beverages also will be available.  Expo visitors will have wines from 19 vintners and beer from two breweries to choose from, as well as coffee and soda.  However, while the food samples are free, there is a charge for the drinks.

 “The floor plan has been reconfigured to make better use of the available space,” Expo organizer Larry Aldag said.  “The change will shorten lines and improve everyone’s enjoyment of the show.” 

          Expo hours are Saturday, March 3, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, March 4, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Admission is $5.  Children 10 and younger will be admitted free of charge.

Drawings will be held for door prizes, including Illinois products gift baskets and a Weber Genesis E-310 LP gas grill (retail value $849).

A list of the participating food companies, wineries and agribusinesses follows: 


Ahruns Famous, Crystal Lake

Aleece’s Pita Chips, East Peoria

American Egg Board, Springfield

Aunt Em’s Gourmet Popcorn, Deer Creek

Bloodshot Bloody Mary Mix, Springfield

Bloomington Meats, Bloomington

Butch’s Pizza, Morton

C & C Fudge, Lincoln

Central Illinois Event Catering, Elkhart

Chicago Food Mfg., Chicago Heights

Country Lights Soy Candles, Leland

Crowridge Farm Ice Cream, Elliott

Darn Hot Peppers, Cobden

Davis Bros. Pizza, East Peoria

Eagle Bridges Soy Candles, Jacksonville

E. Formella & Sons, Countryside

Galena Garlic Company, Geneva

Goose Island Brewing Co., Chicago/

(Skeff Distributing, Decatur)

Gramp’s Gourmet Foods, Scales Mound

Gringo Foods, O’Fallon

Heavenly Delight Cakes, Windsor

Illinois Association FFA, Springfield

Ill. Grape Growers & Vintners Assn., Springfield

Alto Vineyards, Alto Pass

August Hill Winery, Utica

Baxter’s Vineyards, Nauvoo

Berryville Vineyards, Claremont

Collver Family Winery, Barry

Fox Creek Vineyards, Olney

Hill Prairie Winery, Oakford

Hopewell Winery, Rockport

Illinois River Winery, Utica

Kickapoo Creek Winery, Edwards

Lasata Wines, Lawrenceville

Mackinaw Valley Vineyard, Mackinaw

Mary Michelle Winery & Vineyard, Carrollton

Pheasant Hollow Winery, Whittington

Shawnee Winery, Vienna

Sleepy Creek Vineyards, Fairmount

Spirit Knob Winery, Ursa

Vahling Vineyards, Stewardson

Willett’s Winery & Cellar, Manito

Ill. Pork Producers Assn., Springfield

Ill. Specialty Growers Assn., Bloomington

Ill. State Beekeepers’ Assn., Riverton

In Good Taste, Taylorville

JAVA & Company, Henry

Jimmy B’s Super Salsa, Springfield

Jones Boys Market, Ashland

Julie’s Corner Store, Lacon

La Mexicana, Chicago

Lime Rock Brown Swiss Cheese, Davis

Lonzerotti’s Italian Products, Springfield

Ludwig Farmstead Creamery, Fithian

Mackinaw Valley Apiaries, Mackinaw

M & G Foods (Grandpa G’s), Hamilton

Meatsmack, Chatham

Midwest Grocers Supply, Quincy

Oakland Noodle Company, Oakland

Onofrio’s Classic Sauces, Springfield

Pasta Alley, Decatur

Pease’s Candy, Springfield

Perfect Pasta, Addison

ReMARKable Caramels, Danville

Rolling Meadows Brewery, Cantrall

Ropp Jersey Cheese, Normal

Sasse’s Apiary, Chestnut

Smo Diddly’s Pickled Asparagus, Lynn Center

Spice of Life, Decatur

SS Backwards Longhorn Meats, Medora

Steidinger Foods, Fairbury

Tallgrass Prairie Farms, Petersburg

The Homestead Bakery, Arthur

Toohill Seed & Beef Service, Heyworth

Turasky Meats, Springfield

Two Fat Guys Gourmet Sauces, McHenry

Uncle Joe’s Sauces, Ina

Yings Kitchen, Gurnee

Zillion’s Chili, Springfield