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Are You Ready for
the State Fair of Texas?
We are only a few weeks away from the State Fair of Texas. The Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) staff is busy preparing the Food and Fiber Pavilion sponsored by Southwest Dairy Farmers and the GO TEXAN Pioneer Brand General Store to showcase the best of Texas. If you are participating in the store, you should have been contacted by our store contractor and arranged for your inventory to arrive in advance of the Fair's opening day. Make sure you have scheduled your sampling opportunities and arranged adequate time for transportation and setup.
Once all the arrangements have been made, you can relax and enjoy the fun of the State Fair. We hope you join us for the Preview Event on Thursday night, Sept. 24. Several retail buyers will be there, along with members of the media and fellow GO TEXAN members to celebrate and preview the Pavilion.
Visit the GO TEXAN website or contact us at (512) 463-7469 for more information.
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GO TEXAN Members Shine in H-E-B Quest For Texas Best Statewide Contest
We are excited to announce that, for the second year in a row, GO TEXAN members have finished in three of the top four prize winning spots in the statewide H-E-B Primo Picks Quest for Texas Best, including the Grand Champion both years.
The Quest for Texas Best submissions came from 74 towns across the state, yielding a delicious mix of jams, jellies, spices and meats. Entries spanned categories including beer, butter, cookies and milk, muffins, pastries, pickles, sauces and teas. The top 25 finalists were invited to compete in the finale and four winners were selected and named "Texas Best." The winners were: TEO Gelato (Grand Prize winner and GO TEXAN member from Austin); Slaton Bakery (First Place winner and GO TEXAN member from Slaton in the Texas Panhandle); Blackbird Foods (Second Place winner from Houston); and Blackbird Bakery (Third Place winner and GO TEXAN member from Austin).
TEO Gelato, the Grand Prize winner joined GO TEXAN last year while the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) was helping them source Texas pecans for the World Gelato Championship. The owner, Matthew Lee, was born in Texas and trained in Italy. He has mastered the craft of gelato and is ready to share his obsession. Each creamy creation starts with local, market fresh ingredients and a from-scratch base. TEO Gelato's signature flavors include Texas Pecan and Whiskey, Peanut Butter and Nutella, Poteet Strawberry and Texas Hill Country Peach.
Slaton Bakery has been delivering sweet treats to West Texas for over 90 years, but Chad and Bryce Wilson agreed that it was time to expand by offering all Texans a taste of their most popular and famous Homemade Vanilla Wafers. Bakery customers suggest pairing the sweet vanilla wafers with banana pudding.
Blackbird Foods' pies are as diverse as Texas with small, fried Cajun pies, meal size pies and hand pies. Customer favorites include the Chicken Tikka Masala Pie and the breakfast friendly pork sausage rolls. Baker Angela Rowley was influenced by the spicy little pitas made by her family in Southeast Texas. She is cooking up pies inspired by local ingredients and the diverse food cultures of Texas. She prides herself on making every recipe from scratch.
When life gave her lemons, Blackbird Bakery owner Karen Morgan made a gluten free lemon meringue pie. After mastering the craft of gluten free baking, Karen decided to share her creation with her fellow Texans. Her flour line currently consists of six blends from the Donut & Fritter to Bread & Pizza to Cookie Jar. It is Karen's dream to share her Blackbird Bakery Flour Blend with anyone who loves to bake and cook.
Be sure to look for these products on store shelves at your local H-E-B soon.
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Retail Opportunity for “Iconic” Restaurant Products
• Do you own a restaurant?
• What food item are you most famous for?
• Do you currently sell your “iconic product” at retail stores? If not, would you like to?
A major Texas retailer wants to meet with you to talk about what your restaurant is most famous for — the sauce, baking mix, jam, drink, pickled item — whatever your customers constantly ask to buy and take home. If you’re interested in getting started, fill out the survey.
If you have questions,contact Wendy Womack at (512) 463-7170.
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Taking Texas Worldwide
The Southern United States Trade Association (SUSTA) just officially opened its 2016 program year. Texas companies can now begin submitting pre-qualifications as well as begin registering for many of SUSTA’s international marketing activities.
Please keep in mind companies must first submit a 2016 pre-qualification and receive approval for SUSTA’s International Marketing Program before they can register for events. Companies with questions about how to submit their pre-qualification and/or registration can contact us for assistance.
Below is the list of 2016 events now on the SUSTA website.
2016 Events Posted Online:
• IPM Essen
• Fruit Logistica
• Gulfood
• Foodex Japan
• Expo Antad
• Food Hotel Asia
• SIAL Canada
• Seafood Expo Global
• Food & Hospitality Africa
• SIAL China
• Seoul Food & Hotel
• PLMA’s World of Private Label
• ExpHoRe Costa Rica
• Caribbean & Central America Inbound Mission
• SIAL Paris
• Canada Inbound Mission to Oklahoma, Texas and Kentucky
SUSTA's 2016 Pre-Qualification Application is Now Online!
Sign in at MySUSTA to apply.
Some of the more popular international events such as Gulfood and SIAL Paris will be taken rather quickly, so act now.
For more information, contact Carlos J. Guerrero at (512) 463-6507.
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Commissioner Miller Welcomed by Director Brown in Shanghai, China
On a recent trade mission to China, Commissioner Miller visited with Foreign Agricultural Service Director Valerie Brown from the Agricultural Trade Office in Shanghai, China.
In the photograph above, the Commissioner hands off a “challenge coin” to Director Brown, challenging her to work closely with Texas producers to get their products exported to China.
"I am thankful for the Commissioner taking time out of his busy schedule to travel to China," said Director Brown. "His presence here was invaluable. He is a true statesman, working hard for his Texas constituents. I am sure that all parties served are delighted with the effort that he put forth.”
"We look forward to welcoming him, again, here in Shanghai."
(Note about challenge coins: A challenge coin is a small coin or medallion, bearing an organization’s insignia or emblem and carried by the organization’s members. Traditionally, they are given to prove membership when challenged and to enhance morale. In addition, they are also collected by service members and sometimes presented by unit commanders in recognition of special achievement or to recognize a visit to an organization, as was the case with TDA’s trade mission to China.)
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GO TEXAN Advertising Opportunity
A new home and lifestyle digital magazine is being launched on Sept. 25. A proud GO TEXAN member, The Texas Cottage plans to feature a 4-page GO TEXAN spread to offer other members a great advertising opportunity. They are offering a quarter-page ad exclusively to GO TEXAN members for only $100 (the normal price is $300). Sixteen of these spots are available and assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. The deadline for the debut (Oct./Nov.) issue is Sept. 7. For more information, contact LaShan Arceneaux at (281) 725-0836.
For more special deals on advertising, click here.
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Local Foods, Local Places Program Offers Technical Assistance
Supporting local food production can improve economic opportunities for local farmers and businesses and give residents better access to healthy, fresh food. It can also spur revitalization of a main street, downtown or neighborhood by bringing new activity. Communities interested in these benefits are invited to apply for technical assistance from the Local Foods, Local Places Program. The application deadline is September 15, 2015, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time.
Local Foods, Local Places will provide direct technical support to selected communities. A team of experts will help community members develop action plans that use local foods to support healthy families and communities and to drive downtown and neighborhood revitalization. The assistance process features a community workshop that brings people together to develop shared goals and steps to achieve them.
Representatives of communities (including neighborhoods or main street districts) anywhere in the United States are eligible to apply. The EPA encourages applications from communities that are economically challenged and in the early phases of their efforts to promote local foods and community revitalization. Special consideration will be given to communities in federally designated Promise Zones or USDA StrikeForce counties.
Local Foods, Local Places is supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. Department of Transportation, the Appalachian Regional Commission, the Delta Regional Authority and the White House Rural Council.
For more information or an application, click here or contact Ed Fendley at (202) 566-9555.
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She Came, She Saw, She Joined GO TEXAN: A Texas Gal Cooks
Carolyn Stovall lives in Kerens, Texas, which is "The Home of Big Tex," she explains. "He was our gigantic Santa here from 1949-1952. Then the State Fair of Texas purchased him, and transformed him into 'Big Tex.'" Stovall goes to the State Fair each year and would always visit the Food and Fiber Pavilion. "I'd go to look at what is new at the GO TEXAN Pioneer Brand General Store. I love the products and wanted to sell my cookbook there."
Stovall put together a cookbook called A Texas Gal Cooks, which has many Texas recipes that go back to the late 1800s. "It's unique in that it has a lot of different sections, like Making Gift Baskets, Cooking with Children, Decorative Pies, Food Gifts, Taking Time for Me, Single Mug Desserts and many more. I have always wanted to write a cookbook with my Texas recipes. I wrote A Texas Gal Cooks and fulfilled my dream."
She was already familiar with the GO TEXAN program, so when she finished her book, she already knew that the State Fair would be a great place to showcase and sell her Texas product.
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Members in the News
Bernhardt Winery was featured on YourHoustonNews.
Buc-ee’s was named one of ten of Paste Magazine’s favorite gas stations in America.
Buddha’s Brew Kombucha and Eagle Mountain Farmhouse Cheese were featured on the Texas Farmers Market’s Austin Fermentation Festival (Oct. 25) website.
Dionisio Winery was highlighted on Chron.com.
Freetail, Real Ale, Saint Arnold, Southern Star, Rahr and Sons, Lakewood, Cedar Creek and Franconia Brewing Company were all spotlighted in the Star-Telegram.
Inwood Estates and McPherson made the list of “101 Best Wineries in America” on TheDailyMeal.
Lonestar and Shiner were highlighted on Eater Dallas.
Luscher’s Red Hots was featured on DallasNews.
The Mozzarella Company, as sold through fellow GO TEXAN member, Artizone, were both highlighted on DallasNews.
Pappas Bros. Steakhouse was spotlighted on Thrillist in its article, “50 Things to Eat in Houston Before you Die.”
Prego was highlighted in an Eater Houston list of “Where to Drink the Hottest Wine Selections for Summer in Houston.”
Renfro Foods was featured on Star-Telegram.
Salt Lick Cellars was featured on KVUE.
Sanderson Specialty Foods was interviewed on KEYE-TV.
Congratulations to Texas Teas, who are seen here in the German supermarket, KaDeWe.
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Mark Your Calendar
What: 2015 Export Seminar
When: Sept. 10
Where: Houston
Details: If you are interested in taking your product worldwide, join TDA and the Southern U.S. Trade Association (SUSTA) for a free export seminar. Participants will learn the steps to successful exporting, meet one-on-one with the sponsoring organizations, hear from experts and learn how to take advantage of USDA international programs. The seminar is broken down to educate and enrich both the companies new to exporting or those experienced in promoting their U.S. brand internationally. For more information, visit the SUSTA website or contact Erinn Wright at (512) 475-0338 or Kristin Core at (504) 568-5986.
What: Food, Wine & Brew Fest
When: Sept. 12
Where: Harker Heights
Details: Live music, chefs, food, artists, breweries, homebrew demos, Texas wineries, a Wine 101 class and much more. The vendor fee for GO TEXAN members is $75. For more information, call (254) 699-4999.
What: Dripping With Taste
When: Sept. 12, 12-6 p.m.
Where: Dripping Springs
Details: Festival showcasing Texas wineries, breweries, distilleries, restaurants, chefs, caterers, artisans, and musicians! The most "tastes" of Texas under one roof. Come join us at noon and stay all day until 6pm. For more information, contact Pam Owen at (512) 858-4740.
What: Antique Alley Texas and 30 Miles of Shopping
When: Sept. 18-20
Where: Grandview, Cleburne, Sand Flat, Maypearl, Alvarado and Venus
Details: Antique Alley Texas is a unique event that features over 30 miles of shopping. The communities of Grandview, Alvarado, Maypearl, Sand Flat and Cleburne all participate together. In between these communities are a plethora of privately operated, independent shows ranging from simple yard sales to more than 100 vendors lined up row-to-row in private pastures. GO TEXAN members will receive a vendor discount for participating. For more information, contact Nita Redmon at (817) 240-4948.
What: Galveston Island Wild Texas Shrimp Festival
When: Sept. 25-27
Where: Galveston
Details: GO TEXAN members are invited to sample, display and sell their products at this event in Galveston's Historic Strand District. Booth fees are $400 for Friday through Sunday vending and $200 for Saturday only. Vendors need to supply their own tent, table, chairs and health permit. Last year’s event attendance exceeded 15,000 people. For more information, contact Elizabeth Matthews at (409) 770-0999.
What: Texas Reds Steak and Grape Festival
When: Sept. 26-27
Where: Historic Downtown Bryan
Details: The Downtown Bryan Association is gearing up for the ninth annual Texas Reds Steak & Grape Festival in Historic Downtown Bryan, Texas. This year’s festival will attract visitors from across the state and feature more than 20 Texas wineries, numerous craft breweries, more than 30 bands performing on five different stages, talented artists from across the country, the annual steak cook-off, the popular Kids Zone and a variety of food vendors. Thanks to a partnership with Bryan’s own J. Cody’s Steaks and Barbecue, the beef will be back in a big way at the 2015 Texas Reds Festival. For more information on participating, contact Ashley Girard at (979) 822-4920.
What: R.C. Morgan Scholarship Endowment Fund Golf Tournament
When: Sept. 28
Where: Butterfield Trail Golf Club, El Paso
Details: This golf tournament raises funds for the GECU Foundation, which awards deserving high school students with financial assistance to attend college through the R.C. Morgan Scholarship Endowment Fund, established in 1988 at UTEP's College of Business. GECU is looking for GO TEXAN members who may want to donate products or promotional items in the player gift bags, as well as prizes. It's a great opportunity for networking and, of course, there is the opportunity to join the golf tournament as well. For more information, contact Stephanie Quiroz at (915) 774-8225.
What: Texas Hot Stuff Market Festival
When: Oct. 3, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Where: City Centre, Houston
Details: GO TEXAN businesses are highlighted at this event (and a 15 percent discount is available to members if they register as a vendor by Sept. 15). For information, visit the event website or contact Michael Briggs at (832) 788-7071.
What: Bites and Flights at West 7th
When: Oct. 4, 2–6 p.m.
Where: Fort Worth
Details: Bites and Flights is the premier food and wine tasting event of West 7th, a hub for dining, shopping and entertainment just 2 miles west of downtown Fort Worth. Ten restaurants will participate by serving small bites and ten Texas wineries are being sought to provide tastings. The event is limited to 250 guests who will each receive five wine tasting coupons. The guest exchanges the coupon with a winery for a 2-ounce pour and the winery will receive a fifty-cent rebate per coupon collected to help offset costs. A commemorative tasting glass is provided to the guest and a table with tablecloth is provided to the winery. Wineries interested in participating should contact Angela Hall at (817) 810-9076.
What: IPM Dubai International Plants Expo
When: Oct. 5-7
Where: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Details: If you are a producer of flowers, landscape plants, seeds, turfgrass, hydroponics or trees, you might want to attend this expo. The Middle East is one of the fastest growing markets in the world within the horticultural, flowers and plants industry. Dubai is developing into an important trade center for producing areas such as Africa, Asia and the consumer markets of UAE and Europe. The $850 fee includes a 100 square-foot booth within the SUSTA pavilion, interpreter services and SUSTA will reimburse each company up to $3,000 in shipping costs with proper documentation. For more information, contact Carlos Guerrero at (512) 463-6507.
What: Canada Outbound Seafood Trade Mission
When: Oct. 6-7
Where: Toronto, Ontario
Details: Here is a great opportunity for the Texas Gulf shrimp industry and other Texas seafood. The U.S. is the No. 1 supplier to the Canadian fish and seafood import market. Registering with SUSTA for this mission will allow you take advantage of a demanding market and meet one-on-one with qualified buyers interested in U.S. seafood. Participation fee is $400 and includes: pre-arranged, one-on-one meetings with key buyers; on-site visits with importers/buyers and reimbursement for three nights hotel accommodation for one participant per company (hotel reimbursement within federal per diem rate with proper documentation during the dates of the mission). Registration deadline is August 14. For more information, visit the SUSTA website or contact Carlos Guerrero or Erinn Wright.
What: Hutto Olde Tyme Days
When: Oct. 16-17
Where: Hutto
Details: Hutto’s Olde Tyme Days is a two-day event held Friday, Oct. 16 through Saturday, Oct. 17. There will be a carnival going both days and Charlie Robison will be performing at the street dance, along with other musical acts and plenty of events for children and adults of all ages. GO TEXAN members receive a 10 percent discount on a vendor booth. For information on becoming a vendor, contact Emily Holmes at (512) 759-4400.
What: Bacon Bash
When: Oct. 17
Where: Cranfills Gap
Details: This big bacon cook off is shaping up to be the biggest, baddest and "baconiest" ever. They have already sold twice the number of tickets as of this time last year. Join this GO TEXAN event as a fan, team competitor or sponsor. For more information, visit the website.
What: Fredericksburg Food and Wine Fest
When: Oct. 24
Where: Marktplatz in downtown Fredericksburg
Details: This is the 25th anniversary of the Fredericksburg Food & Wine Fest. It is a full-course celebration of Texas food, wine, beer, music, specialty booths, food court and fun for all! Plus fabulous events: Friday's Celebration of Texas Food & Wine and Saturday's Patron Party on Marktplatz. Sponsored by the City of Fredericksburg, the proceeds go to the Market Square Improvement Project. There are still openings for Texas specialty food booths. Interested GO TEXAN food members should contact Deborah Farquhar-Garner at (830) 997-8515 for an application.
What: 28th Annual Hogeye Festival
When: Oct. 24
Where: Elgin
Details: The Hogeye Festival will feature over 120 artists with handcrafted wares, delicious food vendors, great music throughout the day and a wonderful children’s area with activities and games. It is advertised throughout central Texas and attracts up to 20,000 attendees each year. GO TEXAN members will receive a 20 percent discount on being a vendor. For more information, click here or email or call (512) 229-3217.
What: Houston Chili Cook-Off
When: Nov. 7, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Where: Watson's House of Ales, Houston
Details: The Houston Chili Cook-Off opens to the public at 11 a.m. Chili cooks and cooking teams are invited to enter this third annual competition. For information, visit the event website or contact Michael Briggs at (832) 788-7071.
What: Hill Country Olive Fest
When: Nov. 14, 12-7 p.m.
Where: Dripping Springs
Details: Rescheduled from the May date due to severe weather. Food and wine tasting, gourmet chefs, cooking classes with entertainment for the whole family. For vendor information, contact Cara Gambini at (512) 607-6512.
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Show Your Texas Pride: Wear GO TEXAN.
Did you know all GO TEXAN merchandise is always available at gotexan.org with free shipping? Go shopping and pick out some GO TEXAN apparel for your or your loved ones to wear and show the world that you GO TEXAN.
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Tell Your Story: Shine a Spotlight on Your Company
Would you like to see your GO TEXAN company featured in one of our publications (like this one)? Go here for information on how to send us your story for publication consideration.
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Meet Your Field Representatives
Mouse over their photo to see which region each Field Representative serves and click on their photo to send them an email.
  
  
  
  
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Spot the Mark
Want a fun way to share the best things in Texas with the world? It’s easy!
GO TEXAN uses social media tools like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn to post GO TEXAN events, share member news and increase the awareness for the wide variety of products grown or made right here in the Lone Star State.
Challenge: If you spot the GO TEXAN mark in public, let us know. Send us a picture of the GO TEXAN mark on a product, sign or printed materials and let us know where you saw it. You may send us that information by using the GO TEXAN Twitter hashtag (#GOTEXAN), so we can easily retweet your message or send us an e-mail.
And speaking of the GO TEXAN mark, as a valued member, please ensure you're using the correct GO TEXAN mark. We updated the mark to include a registration symbol (®) and all members should now be using the new mark.
If you don't have the latest version of the GO TEXAN mark, email us to get high-quality digital copies of the mark to use on your labels, merchandising materials, website and more.
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