MEDIA RELEASE

Local food buyers and producers are needed for the 15th annual Mealani A Taste of the Hawaiian Range and Agricultural Festival on Friday, Sept. 10 at the Hilton Waikoloa Village.

The state’s premiere ag showcase headlines Big Island-grown products and includes an agricultural trade show designed exclusively for farmers, ranchers and food producers to present their products to wholesale and retail buyers, including chefs.

Also open to the media, the trade show is 2:30 – 4:30 p.m., followed by the food tasting event for the public at 6 p.m. Food producers are invited to stay for the evening Taste and talk story with grazing attendees.

Food buyers and producers interested in participating may contact Nina Tanabe at 808-933-8611 or email ntanabe@pfthi.com.

The signup deadline for producers is Aug. 1 and for buyers the deadline is Aug. 31.

Those interested in having an educational display at the Taste may reach Glenn Sako at 808-969-8252 or gsako@hawaii.edu.

The evening Taste will headline more than 30 statewide chefs who will dazzle diners using various cuts of forage-fed meats and a cornucopia of island fruits, vegetables and other farm products.

Taste tickets are on sale online and islandwide, for details visit www.tasteofthehawaiianrange.com