Department of Parks
PARKS DEPARTMENT BOUGHT $146,000 OF KENTUCKY PROUD FOODS IN 2006

FRANKFORT, Ky. — Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer was pleased that Kentucky farmers made more than $146,000 from the sale of Kentucky Proud food products to state Parks Department restaurants and cafeterias in 2006.

"These purchases help many Kentucky farmers make a living on the farm," Commissioner Farmer said. "I’m grateful to Parks Commissioner J.T. Miller for his support for this partnership."

"The Kentucky State Parks are glad to participate in the Kentucky Proud program," Commissioner Miller said. "This effort not only helps local farmers but provides our state park visitors with fresh, tasty food that’s grown or raised near our parks. That benefits our farmers, our parks and our guests. We believe this program will continue to grow as we get more farmers involved."

The 17 state resort restaurants and four Frankfort cafeterias paid $146,611.71 to Kentucky producers for their food products in 2006. Of that total, meat accounted for $93,880.80 and produce purchases totaled $34,906.56. Four resorts bought a total of $16,769.30 worth of Kentucky seafood.

Fruit and vegetable purchases were up some 66 percent over the 2005 total of approximately $21,000. The meat purchases included $9,800 for Kentucky country ham served at the Kentucky Derby in May.

The state adopted regulations in the fall of 2005 that allow the restaurants at state resorts and state cafeterias in Frankfort to purchase Kentucky meat and dairy products. The Parks Department began buying Kentucky Proud produce in August 2004.

Kentucky Dam Village State Resort bought $16,577.70 worth of Kentucky Proud foods, more than any other park. Dale Hollow Lake followed at $15,962.17. Six resorts each spent more than $10,000 on Kentucky Proud products from Kentucky farmers.

The Kentucky Department of Agriculture’s marketing staff has helped connect park chefs with local producers to promote the sale of fresh, high-quality local food products to the parks.

"This partnership has tremendous room to grow," Commissioner Farmer said. "The Kentucky Department of Agriculture will help in any way we can."

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