ND Department of Agriculture Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE JULY 21, 2009

KUCHEN TAKES CENTER STAGE AT PRIDE OF DAKOTA DAY

BISMARCK – The first Pride of Dakota Kuchen Kontest will be featured Monday, July 27, during the 21st annual Pride of Dakota Day at the 2009 State Fair in Minot.

“If North Dakota had an official state dessert, it would probably be kuchen,” said Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring. “Our new contest will let fairgoers try kuchen from several Pride of Dakota companies and then vote for their favorite.”

The Kuchen Contest is scheduled at 3 p.m.

Goehring said about 35 Pride of Dakota companies will be displaying, sampling and selling their products from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. under the large tent near the southwest corner of the State Fairgrounds.

“You’ll find a wide range of quality Pride of Dakota products, including foods and condiments, notecards, recordings, books, wearing apparel, jewelry and much more,” Goehring said. “It’s a great time and place for fairgoers to meet, shop, and share lunch.”

The annual Pride of Dakota Lunch for a Dollar will be served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The lunch includes a grilled hot dog, potato chips and milk, all for a dollar. The lunch is sponsored by Cloverdale Foods, Land O' Lakes, Pan-O-Gold and the Northern Plains Potato Growers Association. The proceeds will go to North Dakota FFA Foundation.

Fairgoers can also have their picture taken free at the Pride of Dakota tent. They can later download the pictures from the Pride of Dakota website, www.prideofdakota.com.

The American Beekeeping Federation Honey Princess, Allison Hull, Battle Lake, MN, will be attending the event, providing brochures and other information on honey.

More than 400 North Dakota companies are Pride of Dakota members. Administered by North Dakota Department of Agriculture Marketing Services, the Pride of Dakota program provides member companies with cooperative marketing and promotional events, such as Pride of Dakota Day, the Holiday Showcases and in-store demonstrations. Pride of Dakota also provides educational opportunities for retailers and representation at regional, national and international marketing expositions.

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MEDIA: For more information, please call Ted Quanrud at (701) 328-2233 or tquanrud@nd.gov or Patrice Lahlum at (701) 239-7210 or plahlum@nd.gov.