Agriculture Secretary Invites Food Lovers to Kick Off 2025 with a Taste of Pennsylvania’s Best at PA Preferred® Reception

Harrisburg, PA Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding invites Pennsylvanians to taste the finest Pennsylvania-produced food and drinks at the 109th PA Farm Show’s PA Preferred® Reception. The Friday, January 3 event officially kicks off the 2025 Farm Show, Pennsylvania’s State Fair™.

“The PA Preferred reception celebrates Pennsylvania’s best, and the hardworking Pennsylvanians who produce it,” Secretary Redding said. “Their supporters in the Shapiro Administration and General Assembly, and fans from across Pennsylvania come together to kick off their year over a feast for the eyes and tastebuds. We hope you’ll join us to celebrate the PA-Preferred businesses who are Powering Pennsylvania families and economy.”

PA Preferred is Pennsylvania’s brand for locally grown and processed food, beverages and other agricultural products like hardwoods. Buying products with the PA Preferred yellow and blue logo assures you that your purchase keeps dollars at home, supporting Pennsylvania farmers and building a stronger local economy.

The PA Preferred Reception will be held Friday, January 3, 2024, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex. Tickets are $40 for the general public, $20 for PA Preferred members, and free for military-veteran farmers who are members of Homegrown By Heroes. Registration by December 28 is required. PA Preferred and PA Preferred Homegrown By Heroes members should contact RA-AGPAPreferred@pa.gov to obtain a promotional code to use at checkout.

Ticket price includes admission to the reception, parking, heavy hors d'oeuvres, beverages, and a debut of highlights of the coming 2025 Pennsylvania Farm Show.

PA Preferred members, and other organizations and businesses can support this event through in-kind product donations to the proposed menu. A wide range of sponsorship opportunities are also available. Supporting businesses and organizations will have their names or logos displayed during the event and will receive complimentary tickets.  Sponsors can contact RA-AGPAPreferred@pa.gov for more information.

During the eight days following the reception, PA Preferred members and products will be showcased on the PA Preferred Culinary Connection Stage. Power your culinary imagination every day, every hour, with an all-star line-up of celebrity chefs led by Philadelphia’s Food Network star, author and Guinness World Record-holder Chef Jet Tila. Visit Culinary Connection to power your day with local flavors and inspiration, sample celebrity recipes prepped by future stars from PA culinary schools, grab a cookbook, and begin your own PA farm-to-table culinary adventures.

Find PA Preferred members wherever you travel, as well as in-season produce, profiles of producers, and more at papreferred.com.

Find more information on the 2025 Pennsylvania Farm Show, including a full schedule of events, a PA Preferred Culinary Connection schedule, and more at farmshow.pa.gov.

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Farm Show Media Contacts

Ashley Fehr

Communications Director 717-803-1452
Department of Agriculture Media

Shannon Powers

Press Secretary 717-603-2056
Department of Agriculture Media