12-12-05 |
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WEST VIRGINIA AGRIBUSINESSES SCORE MULTIPLE AWARDS IN NATIONAL CONTEST Three West Virginia agribusinesses have won four prizes from among more than 600 entries in this year's Scovie Awards, the premier "spicy foods" contest in the country. The companies include Duck's Products, located in Kenna, J & B Sauces of Weston and Uncle Bunk's of Sistersville, which won the amateur category grand prize in last year's Scovie Awards. "This shows once again the great talent and enterprising spirit our agribusiness owners possess," said Commissioner of Agriculture Gus R. Douglass. "It also shows that the West Virginia Department of Agriculture's (WVDA) assistance programs are making a real impact in the development of this industry. Marketing and Development Division provides more individualized and personalized services than you will find elsewhere. Most other states either charge for these types of services, or don't offer them at all." WVDA provides extensive start-up assistance to companies free of charge, including food safety testing and developing manufacturing flow charts and nutritional content for labels, as required by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. "We have a joint effort with Dr. [Cameron] Hackney at West Virginia University , who is certified as an independent process authority and can perform the required tests and reviews," said Jean Smith, WVDA Director of Marketing and Development. "The University provides their services for free, which is a big help to our producers." WVDA also provides marketing expertise and capabilities to fledgling companies, many of which may have little more than a great recipe and a desire to share it. "We found West Virginia-themed art for J & B's jars from the Division of Tourism," said WVDA Food Marketing Specialist Teresa Halloran. "It's something I knew Tourism had that would compliment J & B's products." Duck's Products took first place in the condiments/relish category for its Green Tomato Pepper Butter. Co-owner Donna Miller says the company has been in business five years and "this is the first contest we've ever entered." All their products - which include marinated green tomatoes, salsa, marinated baby corn, hot piccalilli (similar to chow-chow), and a barbecue sauce - are made from fresh vegetables. For Duck's information, visit www.ducksproducts.com , e-mail hottducks@aol.com , or phone 304-988-9444. J & B Sauces won first place honors in the sweet-heat jams and jellies division with its "Original Hillbilly Lightnin's Fiery Hot with Garlic Hot Pepper Jelly Spread, and also took third place with its Original Hillbilly Lightnin's Extreme Heat Lovers with Garlic Hot Pepper Jelly Spread. J & B Sauces began operation and production in May 2005 and this was their first competition with any of their products. The original recipe for the Sweet-Heat Hot Pepper Jelly Spread is based upon a family recipe that dates back to at least the mid-1800s. A great aunt, now in her very late 80s, provided a handwritten recipe to owner Bill Adler. The cost? Says Adler, "the same thing her mother asked for in the 1930s - a hug, a kiss and a promise to always make it right." For information on J & B Sauces, call (304) 269 -7777 or 304 452-8644, or e-mail mwa42645@yahoo.com or fishinggem@aol.com. Uncle Bunk's won its second first place in three years - this year for its 14-day Hot, Sweet Pickles, and two years ago for its Hot Mustard Relish. Representatives of Uncle Bunk's attended the Fiery-Foods & Barbecue Show in Albuquerque , the event affiliated with the Scovies. "It was huge. The first part of the show is commercial only and there were well over 200 vendors and lots of commercial buyers," said Uncle Bunk's marketing manager Stacey Young. "On Saturday, they opened the show to the public and the line was literally out the door of the convention center." The West Virginia Department of Agriculture protects plant, animal and human health through a variety of scientific, regulatory and consumer protection programs, as mandated by state law. The Commissioner of Agriculture is one of six statewide elected officials in West Virginia. Currently, Commissioner Gus R. Douglass is the longest-serving agriculture commissioner in the nation. For more information, visit www.wvagriculture.org. |
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