Agriculture Secretary Invites Public to Taste Pennsylvania’s Best at PA Preferred® Reception Kicking Off 2024 Farm Show

Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding invites Pennsylvanians to taste the finest Pennsylvania-produced food and drinks while connecting with the producers at the 108th PA Farm Show’s PA Preferred® Reception. The Friday, January 5th reception will be the official kickoff for the 2024 Farm Show, the Pennsylvania State Fair™.

Harrisburg, PA Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding invites Pennsylvanians to taste the finest Pennsylvania-produced food and drinks while connecting with the producers at the 108th PA Farm Show's PA Preferred® Reception. The Friday, January 5th reception will be the official kickoff for the 2024 Farm Show, the Pennsylvania State Fair™.

"Our 2024 Farm Show theme is 'Connecting Our Communities,'" Secretary Redding said. "The PA Preferred reception is where communities of those who produce Pennsylvania's best come to show off their products and connect with those in the Shapiro Administration and the General Assembly who support them year-round, as well as their fans and supporters in private industry throughout Pennsylvania. We hope you'll join us to taste Pennsylvania and connect with the fine PA-Preferred producers who put the best on our tables and in our homes."

PA Preferred celebrates a milestone in 2024 — 20 years since the program launched to support Pennsylvania farmers through a statewide brand for their products. The program connects farmers and agribusinesses with a brand identity for the products they grow, harvest, or produce, creating opportunities for consumers to easily identify and purchase locally grown and processed food, beverages and other agricultural products like hardwoods. 

When buying PA Preferred, consumers are assured they are supporting Pennsylvania farmers and building a stronger local economy by keeping their dollars at home. Pennsylvania agriculture provides top quality shopping options whether you're entertaining, dining out, travelling or buying local for your daily needs.

The PA Preferred Reception will be held Friday, January 5, 2024, in the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex. Tickets are $40 for the general public, and in honor of the 20th anniversary, $20 for PA Preferred members, and free for military-veteran farmers who are members of Home Grown By Heroes. The ticket price includes admission to the reception, parking, heavy hors d'oeuvres, beverages, and a short program featuring the people and products Pennsylvania agriculture.

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.

More information, including ticketing details can be found at farmshow.pa.gov. RSVP for the event on Facebook. Find PA Preferred members wherever you travel, as well as in-season produce, profiles of producers and more at papreferred.com.

Media Contact: Shannon Powers – 717.603.2056, shpowers@pa.gov

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Department of Agriculture Media Contacts

Ashley Fehr

Communications Director 717.803.1452
Department of Agriculture Media

Shannon Powers

Press Secretary 717-603-2056
Department of Agriculture Media