Giant to Check Out PA Preferred Products at Regional Trade Show

Giant Food Stores, LLC will be on hand to review the goods of small Pennsylvania companies at a regional trade show hosted by the state's PA Preferred program.

Over 150 PA Preferred member companies will take part in the Supplier Diversity/Regional & Small Business Trade Show, held today from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex & Expo Center in Harrisburg. Procurement teams from Carlisle, Pa.-based Giant will be there to review products with an eye toward future business opportunities.

"The PA Preferred label is gaining recognition as a sign of superior quality," said Pennsylvania Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff. "With a diverse membership, including farmers, manufacturers, farmers' markets, and restaurants, the PA Preferred label showcases the best Pennsylvania has to offer."

The branding program was begun in 2004 by Gov. Edward G. Rendell to help market food products and goods made and processed in Pennsylvania. There are now over 2,000 members enrolled in the program.

"Trade shows such as this help PA Preferred members access markets that are normally difficult to tap into, providing them an opportunity to grow their business while strengthening Pennsylvania's agricultural economy," added Wolff.

Since November 2007 Pennsylvania Giant Food stores have carried PA Preferred products on exclusive racks. Featured products rotate every 120 days, allowing smaller producers a presence in the marketplace.

"Supplier diversity is an integral part of our business at Giant," noted Giant Food e.v.p. for sales and merchandising Jeff Martin. "[We have a] long tradition of supporting small, local, and diverse vendors who are our neighbors, customers, and part of the economic engine of our communities."
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