Illinois Products Expo To Feature Homemade Foods And Wines

SPRINGFIELD, Ill.–(ENEWSPF)–February 28, 2011.  Tasty, Illinois-made food products from more than 80 companies are on the menu for the 2011 Illinois Products Expo.  And, best of all, samples are free!

The 13th annual “Food and Cooking Extravaganza,” which also features products from state wineries and agribusinesses, will be held March 5-6 in the Orr Building on the Illinois State Fairgrounds.

“The Illinois Products Expo introduces consumers to the great food and products that are made right here in the Land of Lincoln,” Agriculture Director Tom Jennings said.  “Ultimately, the department’s goal is to build demand for these Illinois-made products and get grocery stores to stock them on their shelves.”

Five Springfield area grocers have done just that.  Country Market, County Market, Humphrey’s, Schnucks and Shop-N-Save all have added products featured at the Expo to their stores.

The Expo’s food offerings will include fresh meat products, gourmet seasonings and sauces, homemade jams and jellies and specialty dressings.  A few non-food items, such as soy candles and agricultural-based soaps and lotions, will be on display and available to purchase.  Beverages will also be available – Expo visitors can quench their thirst with coffee, soda or a sip of Illinois wine from one of 18 vintners.  Wine will be sold by the sample, glass and bottle.  Visitors also can purchase numerous flavors of Goose Island beer.

Expo hours are Saturday, March 5, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, March 6, from 10 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 baskets of Illinois food products and a Weber Genesis S-310 LP gas grill (retail value $999).

A list of the participating food companies, wineries and agribusinesses follows.  New participants are denoted with an asterisk (*).

Source: illinois.gov