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FRANKFORT,
Ky. — Governor Ernie Fletcher, Agriculture Commissioner
Richie Farmer and Kentucky farmers on Friday launched
a program to sell Kentucky Proud produce in the state's
resorts.
Governor
Fletcher and Commissioner Farmer announced the program
in a ceremony at the Franklin County Farmers' Market
in Frankfort. The program will enable resort guests
to buy the freshest fruits and vegetables available
while providing Kentucky farmers a way to sell their
produce for wholesale prices.
“This
program is a great opportunity for Kentucky growers,”
Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer said. “Launching
this program now will enable Kentucky farmers to develop
relationships with the chefs at the state resorts. The
growers can determine what the resorts need, and the
resorts can see what is available in their areas. This
year's experience will establish a baseline for future
years.”
Commissioner
Farmer expressed his gratitude to state Parks Commissioner
George Ward for working with the Kentucky Department
of Agriculture to establish the program. “This program
has tremendous potential to help Kentucky growers significantly
increase their income from the farm,” Commissioner Farmer
said. “One resort buys up to 21 20-pound cases of tomatoes
a month. I am very excited about this program, and I
thank Commissioner Ward for helping make it a reality.”
Participating
producers will register with each of the 17 state resorts
to which they wish to sell produce. They will receive
the average wholesale price for the commodity as determined
by a database of prices from wholesale distributors.
The prices will be established on a weekly basis.
For
more information, contact Janet Eaton with the Kentucky
Department of Agriculture's marketing office at (502)
564-4983.
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