2007 PRESS RELEASES
October 1, 2007
VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES CREATES THE SPECIALTY FOOD ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Contact: Elaine J. Lidholm, 804.786.7686
Todd P. Haymore, Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS), recently created a Specialty Food Advisory Committee (SFAV). He also appointed 11 members to serve on the Committee. The group, which will work with and advise VDACS on the marketing and promotion of Virginia’s specialty food industry, held its first meeting September 19, 2007.
The Advisory Committee is composed of eleven voting members who are knowledgeable about specialty food issues in Virginia. Members represent retailers, the Food Science Department at Virginia Tech and specialty food processors. One member is an at-large member who is an advocate for the specialty food industry. Members will advise VDACS regarding specialty food programs and will assist VDACS’ Division of Marketing in the growth of the Specialty Food Industry in Virginia. The Committee also will plan an annual educational conference with the support of the Virginia Food and Beverage Association.
Appointed to two-year terms are:
- Jane Riddick-Fries, FERIDES, Courtland – representing large specialty food producers
- G. Willis Logan, President, Virginia Wine of the Month Club, Stanardsville - representing the retail industry
- Samuel W. Edwards, III, President, S. Wallace Edwards & Sons, Inc., Surry – representing large producers
- Jeff Bateman, Integrity Food Group, LLC, West Point – representing small producers
- Robert C. Williams, Assistant Professor, Department of Food Science and Technology, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg – representing Virginia Tech
Appointed to one-year terms are:
- Peter Pruden, III, Co-owner, Taste Unlimited, Virginia Beach - representing retailers
- Scott D. Stephens, Director of Sales, Virginia Diner, Inc., Wakefield – representing large producers
- Dave Ottaway, Virginia Food and Beverage Association, Goochland – representing the Association
- Jim Foster, Alpak Container Corporation, Chesapeake – representing suppliers
- Oliver Turner, The Virginia Chutney Company, Washington – representing small producers
- Rachel Graves, Graves Mountain Lodge, Syria – representing advocates of the specialty food industry
“Specialty foods are an important component of the agricultural industry in Virginia,” says Todd P. Haymore, VDACS Commissioner. “They are an excellent way to add value to basic agricultural commodities, they increase the diversity of Virginia products, and they provide local, regional and state-recognized products and brands. Specialty foods range from individual products such as flavored teas, baked goods, peanuts, sauces, or jams and jellies, to already-prepared meals or mixes which consumers use to enhance their meals. They are important outlets for farm products and enhance Virginia’s reputation as a producer of fine and gourmet food products. Many specialty foods have earned the state’s highest accolade, the Virginia’s Finest trademark. I believe the Advisory Committee will be an important part of marketing Virginia products within the state, around the region, and overseas, and we look forward to working with them.”
The Committee will meet at least three times annually. It has two standing sub-committees. The Conference Committee will plan and execute an annual educational conference, recall workshops, safety workshops, and other educational opportunities. The Communication Committee is charged with communicating to the Specialty Food Industry the programs and development of the industry. The Committee will develop a scholarship program for one Virginia Tech student each year to write and produce a quarterly newsletter for the industry.
For more information on the Specialty Food Advisory Committee, contact Chair Willis Logan at 434.985.2834 or wlogan@vawineclub.com or VDACS’ Division of Marketing at 804.786.3530.
CAPTION FOR PHOTO: Members of the Specialty Food Advisory Committee, first row, left to right: David Ottaway, Virginia Food and Beverage Association; Jane Riddick-Fries, FERIDES ; Jeff Bateman, Integrity Food Group, LLC ; Scott Stephens, Virginia Diner, Inc.; G. Willis Logan, Virginia Wine Club.
Second row, left to right: Jim Foster, Alpak Container Corporation; Samuel Edwards III, S. Wallace Edwards & Sons, Inc.; Peter Pruden III, Taste Unlimited; Todd P. Haymore, Commissioner, Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
Not pictured are Oliver Turner, The Virginia Chutney Company; Dr. Robert Williams, Virginia Tech; and Rachel Graves, Graves Mountain Lodge.