|
A
Creative Option for Your Holiday Shopping List: Gift Baskets and
Gift Sets of Illinois Products
Web-based
'Food and Agribusiness Guide' Makes Identifying Illinois Products
Even Easier
Send a link to a friend
[December 03, 2007]
SPRINGFIELD -- Holiday shoppers
looking for a creative gift idea may want to consider purchasing an
Illinois products gift basket or gift set, Illinois Agriculture
Director Chuck Hartke said.
|
 The Illinois Department of Agriculture has developed a Web-based
"Food and Agribusiness Guide" that lists companies that either
produce, process and package food in Illinois or are headquartered
here. The list divides the companies into more than two dozen
categories, based on their product offerings. On the site, consumers
can find more than 130 Illinois food companies that offer gift
baskets or gift sets."We have been able to utilize technology in
a way that increases the market potential for Illinois food
companies," Hartke said. "The online Food and Agribusiness Guide not
only gives consumers access to the websites and product information
of more than 1,250 Illinois companies, but also increases the
exposure of Illinois businesses on the Internet. It's a great
marketing tool."
According to Rockville, Md.-based MarketResearch.com, sales of
food gifts grew almost 50 percent to nearly $16 billion from 2004 to
2006, even though Americans were spending less money overall on
presents. In addition, nearly one-third of consumers shop for food
gifts during the winter holidays, making it a popular choice for
holiday shoppers.
[to top of second column]
 |
Individuals can access the Illinois Food and Agribusiness Guide by
visiting www.agr.state.il.us
and then clicking on the blue rectangular box entitled
"Illinois
Food and Agribusiness Guide" on the right-hand side of the page.
The
"Gift Baskets/Gift Sets" category can be found in the bottom,
right-hand corner of the linked page.
Consumers who are interested in Illinois food products also might
want to make plans to visit the Illinois Products Expo, scheduled
for March 1-2, 2008, on the Illinois State Fairgrounds in
Springfield. Over 60 Illinois food companies and approximately 10
Illinois wineries will provide samples to visitors during the
two-day expo, and most of the products also will be available to
purchase. This year will mark the 10th anniversary of the event.
For more information about the Illinois Products Expo, contact
the Illinois Department of Agriculture Bureau of Marketing and
Promotion at 217-524-3012 or send an e-mail to
larry.aldag@illinois.gov.
[Text from
Illinois
Department of Agriculture
file received from
the
Illinois Office of
Communication and Information]
 |
