| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | CONTACT: Marty Earnheart |
| August 15, 2007 | (406) 444-9126 |
American Lamb for Ewe!
HELENA, Mont. — The Montana Department of Agriculture is sponsoring grocery store promotions of American lamb during August in Missoula, Great Falls, Billings and Miles City.
The sheep industry is an important contributor to Montana’s agricultural economy, says Joel Clairmont, acting director of the department. The state ranks fourth nationwide in annual lamb production. The department's Agriculture Marketing and Business Development Bureau strives, in conjunction with the Governor's Office, to assist sheep producers in marketing their lamb and wool.
The promotions will feature a chef preparing grilled lamb chops with lemon and herbs, as well as tastings of the finished product. The promotions will take place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in four Albertson’s grocery locations. Dates and Albertson's locations are:
August 18 - 3800 Russell Street, Missoula.
August 19 - 1414 3rd Street N.W., Great Falls.
August 25 - 670 Main Street, Billings.
August 26 - 519 S. Haynes, Miles City
American lamb yields more meat on the bone than imported lamb, according to a 2002 study that compared domestic lamb with imports from Australia and New Zealand. Federal legislation to require country-of-origin labeling of lamb and beef is scheduled to take effect in October 2008. In the meantime, asking a grocer is the best way for consumers to determine if they are buying American lamb.
For more information about the event or the department's other meat promotion
activities, contact Marty Earnheart, marketing specialist, at (406) 444-9126,
or by e-mail at mearnheart@mt.gov.
