| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | CONTACT: Angelyn DeYoung |
| May 18, 2004 | (406) 444-2402
TTY (406) 444-4687 |
(EDITORS: A photo of the Montana's Choice logo can be downloaded here.)
Stores to Highlight Montana's Choice Products
HELENA, Mont. — The Montana Department of Agriculture is launching the 2004 Montana's Choice promotion this month in grocery stores throughout the state, featuring Montana-made products.
The official Montana's Choice kickoff will be held at the Montana Avenue Albertson's in Helena, Thursday, May 27, 2004, from 2 to 6 p.m. The Helena kickoff will feature a Celebrity Shopping Spree, Montana product sampling and press conference.
The purpose of the Montana's Choice promotion is to heighten consumers' awareness of the availability of Montana-made products in their local grocery stores. This, in turn, will increase the sales of Montana products, enhancing our state's economy.
Given the choice, Montanans choose to support Montana products, says Ralph Peck, director of the Montana Department of Agriculture. With the Montana's Choice program, consumers will now know where to find Montana food on their local grocery stores' shelves.
To encourage Montanans to support Montana's Choice products, TV and radio ads will be run, featuring the Montana's Choice logo. In various stores throughout the state, Montanans will use the Montana's Choice logo and shopping lists as guides to finding locally produced products on their shelves. In-store displays of Montana's Choice products will also be provided to highlight products in stores throughout Montana.
More than 400 food companies in Montana produce various grocery items including bacon, BBQ sauce, beer, bread, bagels, cereal, granola, coffee, honey, ice cream, jams, jellies, syrups, candies, jerky, ketchup, milk, pasta, pasties, produce, salmon spread, sausages, seasonings and wine, says Angelyn DeYoung, marketing specialist for the Montana Department of Agriculture.
To find Montana products, visit http://www.agr.mt.gov and click on Montana's Choice. With questions about Montana's Choice, contact Angelyn DeYoung, marketing specialist with the Montana Department of Agriculture, at (406) 444-2402, or by email at agr@mt.gov.
