CAES Newswire

 College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences UGA Cooperative Extension
Menu
Published on 01/23/14

Deadline for 2014 Flavor of Georgia contest — coming up soon — Feb. 7

By Merritt Melancon

Georgia entrepreneurs and chefs only have a few weeks left if they want to participate in the 2014 Flavor of Georgia Food Product Contest.

The contest’s organizers are still looking for great jams, confections, barbecue sauces, cheeses, popsicles, granolas, soups and any other products that represent the future of Georgia’s storied culinary heritage.

The contest — sponsored by the University of Georgia Center for Agribusiness and Economic Development — helps food entrepreneurs expand the market for their products and gain notoriety for their companies.

“Flavor of Georgia is a unique opportunity for entrepreneurs to gain publicity and exposure for their products,” said Sharon P. Kane, food business development specialist with the UGA center. “It’s also a chance for them to network with other food entrepreneurs and industry experts.”

More than 90 percent of the finalists in the 2013 Flavor of Georgia Contest reported increased interest in their products through their experience with the Flavor of Georgia contest.

Three out of four finalists saw an increased interest in their products following the contest, and many others benefitted from increased sales, profits, publicity and website traffic. Some even indicated an increase in full and part time employees.

A follow up survey found that finalists saw on average a 27 percent increase in their revenues in the six months following the contest.

“Winning the grand prize has given Chocolate South, which has now been open for 15 months, real gravitas and has let everyone know that we are serious about our chocolates and flavor profiles,” said Amy Stankus, who won the 2013 grand prize with Chocolate South’s Peach Tea Bon-Bon. “Our retail and wholesale business is growing rapidly, and I give the Flavor of Georgia contest much credit for showcasing our chocolates.”

Finalists in the 2014 Flavor of Georgia Food Product Contest will be invited to participate in the Governor’s Agricultural Awareness Day in March as well as in expositions at the Buford Highway Farmers Market, Georgia National Fair and the Serenbe May Day Festival. Winners will be given rights to use the Flavor Georgia logo on product labels and a free, silver-level membership in the Georgia Department of Agriculture’s Georgia Grown program.

Registration is now open and will run through Feb.7, 2014. Finalists will be invited to take part in a final judging and public tasting March 17-18, in Atlanta, Ga.

Contestants can submit products that are already commercially available or foods that are in the prototype stage. There is not a limit on the number of products that an individual can submit. Product categories include: barbecue sauces; beverages; jams and jellies; sauces and condiments; confections; meat and seafood products; dairy products; snack foods; and miscellaneous products.

A panel of judges — made up of food marketing experts, grocery buyers, chefs and Georgia agricultural experts — will judge each product based on flavor, Georgia theme, unique or innovative qualities, commercial appeal, potential market volume and use of locally, sourced products.

More information about the contest and registration information is available online at www.flavorofgeorgia.caes.uga.edu or by calling (706) 583-0347. The cost to enter is $50 per product if the contestant uses the competition website. Registration costs $75 per product if you register by mail.

Merritt Melancon, a public relations manager for the UGA Terry College of Business, previously served as a public relations coordinator for the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and UGA Extension.

Authors:
Merritt Melancon
Experts/Sources:
Kent Wolfe
Sharon P Kane
Barbara Petit, Georgia Organics, tallies up her scores during the 2011 Flavor of Georgia Food Product Contest. Flavor of Georgia logo
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
Download Image
Conner Hall CAES News
CAES welcomes 2024 cohort of Rural Scholars 11/20/24 Maria M. Lameiras
The University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences welcomed its fourth cohort of students chosen for the CAES Rural Scholars Program this fall just weeks after celebrating the program's first graduation. Georgia Orman, one of four inaugural Rural Scholars in CAES, graduated in May with a bachelor’s degree in agricultural education. The new scholars for 2024, all from Georgia, are Ela Ash of Ocilla, Lauren E. Coley of Cochran, Amelia Housley of Canon, and London O’Steen of Ambrose.
TiftonCampusSunset2 CAES News
CAES Transfer Pathways Program expands enrollment access for rural students 11/12/24 Emily Cabrera
The Transfer Pathways Program is opening new doors for rural students who dream of attending the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES). In partnership with Wiregrass Georgia Technical College and Southern Regional Technical College, students who complete required coursework at these institutions can transfer to CAES to complete bachelor’s degrees in one of three majors — agribusiness, agricultural education, and agriscience and environmental systems. 
Thermal imaging technology could improve the production of fruits and vegetables. CAES News
Thermal imaging may help fruits, veggies stay fresher longer 10/28/24 Savannah Peat
Before your favorite produce arrives at the grocery store, it must be carefully harvested and maintained across long stretches of time. A recent University of Georgia review suggests new temperature measuring technologies could make that process much simpler, amid growing agricultural challenges fueled by fluctuating climates. Maintaining temperature, humidity and light is critical to ensuring fruits and vegetables don’t spoil or deteriorate rapidly. Temperature spikes are the root of adverse outcomes, so monitoring these changes quickly and accurately is key.
Georgia is consistently one of the top five states to use the H-2A visa program and depends on H-2A workers for 60% of agricultural jobs. CAES News
Journey to work 10/14/24 Emily Cabrera
On a farm in southwest Georgia, the rising sun is just beginning to shine upon acres of lush fall crops growing in neat rows. Migrant workers are hunched over, quickly picking the dew-covered leafy greens destined for grocery stores throughout the country. At the end of a hard day, they head home to a shared house that has been provided to them for the duration of their employment. The next morning, they will wake and return to the fields for another day of work in the elements and finish with a shared evening in the communal housing.
Helenedamage web CAES News
Hurricane Helene: Preliminary damage assessment on Georgia agriculture and forestry industry 10/10/24 Claire Sanders Kinnard, Matthew Agvent
Today, Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper, in coordination with Governor Brian P. Kemp, the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), and the Georgia Forestry Commission, announced the preliminary estimate of Hurricane Helene’s economic impact on Georgia agriculture is $6.46 billion.
Most of Georgia’s vegetable crops are grown in the southern part of the state, which, similar to California, faces drought risks. However, as the climate warms, the area is expected to receive slightly more rainfall than usual, according to CAES economist Jeff Mullen. If vegetable production in California decreases and prices rise elsewhere, Southeast producers may consider shifting from row crop to vegetable production. CAES News
Georgia vegetable production may expand as a result of climate change 09/17/24 Maria M. Lameiras
Changing weather patterns are influencing cropping systems and where certain crops can be successfully grown. Researchers in the University of Georgia’s College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences recently published a study in the journal Sustainability examining the feasibility of expanding fresh vegetable production in Georgia as increased temperatures and more frequent and extreme droughts threaten producers in the Western United States.