CAES Newswire

 College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences UGA Cooperative Extension
Menu
Published on 11/14/16

UGA Flavor of Georgia Food Product Contest seeking best food in the state for 2017 contest

By Merritt Melancon

Whether it's a specialty sweet treat, small-batch pork sausage or pimento cheese made from Grandma's secret recipe, the University of Georgia's Flavor of Georgia Food Product Contest shines the spotlight on the state's craft food scene.

The contest, in its second decade, serves as a springboard for food entrepreneurs, assisting them in testing new products and reaching a larger audience, and helps new craft brands break into new markets and expand sales.

Registration for the 2017 Flavor of Georgia contest, which is conducted each year by the UGA Center for Agribusiness and Economic Development, is now open at http://flavorofga.com/.

Over the years, more than 1,100 food products have been entered in the contest. Today, many of those products are sold in national and regional supermarkets. Others have increased their wholesale distribution or internet sales, or experienced better traffic at local farmers markets.

"Flavor of Georgia participants tell us that the contest provides recognition, credibility and exposure for their products," said Sharon P. Kane, a UGA food business development specialist and the contest's coordinator. "It also provides a valuable resource for networking with other food entrepreneurs and industry experts."

Nearly a dozen of the 2016 finalists had new business contracts within two weeks of the 2016 competition, and 85 percent of the finalists reported increased sales. Additionally, 92 percent of the finalists reported that they made new business connections because of the contest.


“Customers’ eyes light up when they find out that our product won the grand prize,” said Amanda Wilbanks, owner of Gainesville, Georgia’s Southern Baked Pie Company, 2016 Flavor of Georgia grand prize winner. “We’ve made many great food industry contacts by participating, and the contest is a great conversation starter when we’re promoting our product.”

Finalists and winners participate in a number of high-profile industry showcases throughout the year following each annual contest, including the Georgia Grown Symposium, the Georgia National Fair and showcase days at the Buford Highway Farmers Market. They also receive industry feedback and use of the Flavor of Georgia logo for their products’ packaging and promotional materials.

Product categories for the 2017 contest include barbecue sauces, beverages, condiments and salsas, confections, dairy products, dairy-alternative products, honey, jams and jellies, meats and seafood, meat-alternative products, sauces and seasonings, snack foods, and miscellaneous products. There is no limit to the number of products an individual business can submit.

Judges evaluate each product based on flavor, texture and market innovation. Consumer appeal and product representation of Georgia are also considered.

Registration closes Thursday, Feb. 9, 2017, but contestants can enter at an early discounted rate before Thursday, Jan. 15, 2017.  Contest finalists will participate in the final round of judging and a public tasting Tuesday, March 21, 2017, as part of the governor's statewide Agricultural Awareness Week.

For more information or to register, visit http://flavorofga.com or call 706-583-0347. Follow the contest @FlavorofGA on Twitter and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/flavorofga.

 

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:
Sharon P Kane
Registration for the 2017 contest opens Nov. 14. Judges in the preliminary round of Flavor of Georgia 2016 consider entries from around the state. Registration for the 2017 contest opens Nov. 14. Judges in the preliminary round of Flavor of Georgia 2016 consider entries from around the state. Registration for the 2017 contest opens Nov. 14.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
Download Image
HurricaneHeleneGreenhouseDamageCropped CAES News
UGA Extension supports resilience in Georgia farm communities after Hurricane Helene 12/19/24 Emily Cabrera
Hurricane Helene wrought sweeping devastation across Georgia’s agricultural sector in late September, leaving an indelible mark on both the land and the people who tend it, bringing focus to vulnerabilities in Georgia’s farming industry and the need for more robust safety nets. In addition to the physical destruction, the hurricane took an emotional toll on Georgia’s farmers. In response, UGA Extension has prioritized mental health support.
In Georgia alone, there are nearly 400,000 individuals employed in some segment of hospitality. With the unique mix of leisure travel in coastal Georgia and convention travel in Atlanta, HFIM students have a wealth of opportunities to choose the area that suits them best. CAES News
UGA redefines Southern hospitality through a thriving degree program 11/27/24 Claire S. Kinnard
There are nearly 400,000 individuals employed in some segment of hospitality in Georgia. With the unique mix of leisure travel in coastal Georgia and convention travel in Atlanta, University of Georgia hospitality and food industry management students have a wealth of opportunities to choose the area that suits them best. This versatile experience — with its focus on quality curriculum, meaningful interaction with local and national business, and experiential learning — has already begun graduating the next generation of hospitality leaders.
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. 
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 S. 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, and the Georgia Forestry Commission, announced the preliminary estimate of Hurricane Helene’s economic impact on Georgia agriculture is $6.46 billion. This figure represents the sum of direct crop losses, losses to businesses that support agriculture and forestry, losses to workers in those related industries, and estimated recovery and restoration costs that agricultural businesses will face.