Maryland Philanthropy Network Members Support "Made in Baltimore" Food Vendor Fair on June 8, 2015

Maryland Philanthropy Network Members Support "Made in Baltimore" Food Vendor Fair on June 8, 2015

Vendor Fair Showcases Locally Made Food and Generates New Business Opportunities for Baltimore Enterprises

Buyers from major institutions will attend to connect with Baltimore food companies

What: "Made in Baltimore" Food Vendor Fair

When: Monday, June 8, 2015, 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Brief program at 9 a.m.

Where: Lexington Market, Arcade, 400 W. Lexington St., Baltimore, MD 21201

Who: 30 Baltimore food producers and 50 food buyers for local institutions: Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake will make remarks

BALTIMORE - Baltimore's thriving food industry will be showcased at a "Made in Baltimore" vendor fair that will allow purchasers from major institutions, including hotels, hospitals and schools, to sample and learn more about food products and food-related business owners in the area.

The June 8th event, taking place in historic Lexington Market, is designed to connect local vendors with organizations that purchase large amounts of food - boosting these local vendors and creating jobs for area residents.

"I have made small business growth a major economic development priority of my administration, and this vendor fair provides a tremendous opportunity for our small, locally owned food and beverage businesses to connect with our large anchor institutions, hotels and restaurants," said Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, who will open the vendor fair with remarks. "I look forward to hearing about the many success stories that are sure to emerge in the coming months from this fair."

Approximately 30 food vendors that offer a range of locally made food products - ranging from coffee and ice cream to salsa and chocolate - will be on hand to showcase their products. (Full list of vendors is attached.)

"Food has the potential to be a major economic driver for Baltimore City, and with the right supports like those offered by Baltimore Food Hub we can uplift local entrepreneurs, create jobs for low-income residents, and grow our regional food economy," said Gregory Heller, chief executive of American Communities Trust and developer of the Baltimore Food Hub. "We're excited to have a fair where vendors can meet face-to-face with major food purchasers from around the Baltimore area."

The vendors will be joined by nearly 50 food buyers from anchor institutions in the city and region, including colleges, hospitals, hotels and area restaurants. Local workforce organizations and financial institutions also will attend to offer help to local businesses in meeting growth or employment challenges.

The event is sponsored by the Baltimore Integration Partnership (BIP) and the Baltimore Food Hub.

"Baltimore's anchor institutions are one of our key economic engines," said Kurt Sommer, director of BIP. "Their commitment to local purchasing is a model for Baltimore as we strive to grow new opportunities for our residents."

"MICA supports Baltimore businesses and communities in many ways including through local purchasing strategies," said Mike Molla, vice president for operations at the Maryland Institute College of Art. "Thinking local is important for both our institutional staff but also our students who are attracted to more authentic and distinct options particularly with food."

The BIP is a partnership of 10 anchor institutions in Baltimore, the Baltimore Mayor's Office, local foundations and local nonprofit organizations working collectively to advance job opportunities for Baltimore through local hiring, local purchasing and community development. The BIP is funded nationally by Living Cities and locally by the Annie E. Casey Foundation and Goldseker Foundation.

The Baltimore Food Hub is an East Baltimore food-focused campus that is breaking ground this year and is set to open in 2016. Over time, it will include space for a range of food enterprises to launch and grow. The Food Hub is a partnership between American Communities Trust, New Broadway East Community Maryland Philanthropy Network,Historic East Baltimore Community Action Coalition (HEBCAC), Humanim, the City of Baltimore and Baltimore Development Corporation.

The Baltimore Food Hubhas funding and in-kind support committed by the U.S. Economic Development Administration, the State of Maryland, Abell Foundation, the Annie E. Casey Foundation, East Baltimore Development, Inc., the Goldseker Foundation, the France-Merrick Foundation, Johns Hopkins University, the Knott Foundation, and the Plank & Dicarlo Family Foundation.

Follow us at #MadeinBaltimore. For more information about the Baltimore Food Hub, visit baltimorefoodhub.com

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