Football fans encouraged to 'buy local' as they celebrate game day

[January 30, 2013]  SPRINGFIELD -- The Illinois Department of Agriculture invites football fans to celebrate game day with Illinois products. To get the party started, the department will sponsor a promotion on its Facebook and Twitter pages Feb. 1-3. Each day, one lucky person selected from among the agency's Facebook friends and Twitter followers will score free Illinois products.

"Illinois food companies make everything a fan could possibly need to throw a great party, from chili and pizza to chips and salsa," said Jennifer Tirey, the department's bureau chief of marketing and promotion. "For a sample of the many products available, visit our Facebook page and browse through the listings."

The winner of the first drawing will receive a one-year supply (52 cans) of Ray's Brand Chilli, from Decatur. A $50 gift certificate to Lou Malnati's Chicago-Style Deep Dish Pizza will be awarded the second day. The prize for the third day is a game day gift pack of Uncle Joe's Sauces and Rubs, from Ina.

To sign up for the game day promotion, simply visit and "like" the Illinois Department of Agriculture Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/
IllinoisDepartmentofAgriculture or follow the Illinois Department of Agriculture's Twitter page at https://twitter.com/ILAgMarkets by Feb. 1. For more information, call 217-782-8146.

[Text from Illinois Department of Agriculture file received from the Illinois Office of Communication and Information]