An innovative new Web site is connecting Kentucky agricutural businesses, farmers and markets, making it easier to get Kentucky food products to consumers.

MarketMaker:Kentucky is an interactive mapping system developed by private and public partners. It has a comprehensive directory of Kentucky businesses and farms, including about 500 Kentucky Proud members, that are buying and selling food related products. Anyone can find farmers, farmers’ markets, restaurants, processors, wholesalers, distributors and retailers on the site.

MarketMaker:Kentucky is made possible by a collaboration among the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, the Governor’s Office of Agricultural Policy, and Allied Food Marketers of Louisville.

“With teamwork, you can accomplish great things,” Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer said. “Each partner brought something to the table to make this possible. UK had the training staff and expertise, GOAP had the funding, Allied had the private industry contacts, and the KDA brought them all together.”

“This partnership is a great example of what MarketMaker can do for Kentucky, “said Michael Judge, executive director of the KDA’s Office of Agriculture Marketing and Product Promotion.  “The Web site will serve as a catalyst for new relationships among food buyers and suppliers.” 

A few months after its launch, MarketMaker added two services to make it even easier for buyers and producers to get together. The buy/sell forum is a free online food classified advertisement for producers and buyers. Producers can list what they sell, and buyers can list what they are interested in purchasing.

A national portal allows buyers from anywhere in the nation – or world, since it’s on the World Wide Web – to find products in any MarketMaker state, including Kentucky.

“With the national portal, companies can easily localize their purchases,” Judge said. “For national wholesalers and retailers, finding a local source for their food purchases saves money on freight expenses and builds a sense of community.”

Kentucky was the fourth state to become part of this national program, piloted in Illinois. Since Kentucky came aboard, more states have joined the project.  The Web site is free to consumers, farmers and businesses. Any Kentucky farmer or food business can register.

Producers who don’t have an Internet connection can participate by going to their local county extension office. County agents have been trained to use  MarketMaker:Kentucky.

For more information, visit the MarketMaker: Kentucky Web site at www.marketmakerky.com, or contact the KDA Office of Agriculture Marketing and Product Promotion at (502) 564-4983.