Taste of the Southwest will cater to your tastebuds

Source: Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food

Prepare your taste buds: the Taste of the Southwest is again featuring “the best dang food in southwestern Saskatchewan.” This mouth-watering event allows consumers to meet food producers and processors, and creates the opportunity to taste a wide variety of their food items.

The second annual Taste of the Southwest will be held on Saturday, August 11, 2007, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This year’s event will take place on Central Avenue in downtown Swift Current. The southwest region’s producers, processors, caterers and restaurants will be highlighted.

Consumers may sample products to determine what they might want to buy or try again in the future, and they can meet the food producers, processors and restaurants from their local area.

“Last year’s event allowed the opportunity for the consuming public and food providers to build relationships that lasted throughout the year,” stated Gerry Holland, Regional Business Planning Specialist with Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food.

This year’s event will be held in conjunction with the Kinsmen Funfest weekend. A variety of live entertainment will be available all day long, including family-friendly activities such as face painting and games for children. The entertainment agenda is posted on www.southwestreda.ca.

Taste of the Southwest is a very inexpensive way for attendees to sample as many food products as possible in a fun and entertaining environment.

“The goal is not to provide meals, but to allow businesses to feature their food products to a wide range of the public. Last year’s event served over 900 people,” says Holland.

No admission will be charged this year; however, food tokens will be sold to the public for $1.00 each. These tokens can then be exchanged at the booths for the customer’s desired food items. No item will cost more than four tokens.

Ten per cent of the sales are returned to the organizing committee to offset advertising and rental costs.

The event is organized by a non-profit committee. This year’s organizing committee includes the Southwest Regional Economic Development Authority, Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food, Community Futures Southwest, Golden West Radio, Tourism Swift Current and Saskatchewan Regional Economic and Co-operative Development.

The committee encourages the public to come experience all the wonderful food items, in addition to local Saskatchewan entertainment and children’s activities.

“Come out and support local agriculture producers, food processors and restaurants, and sample all the tasty cuisine. You may find a local producer or processor to supply your family with the freshest and best food items ever produced, right here in your back yard,” said Holland.

For further information, contact Keleah Herron or Britney Blackmore with the Southwest REDA at (306) 778-4243.

For more information, contact:

Gerry Holland, Regional Business Planning Specialist
Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
Phone: (306) 787-4051