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ILLINOIS COMMENTARY
The people of Illinois are truly blessed to live in a state that is the origin of literally thousands of very high quality and delicious food products. Most Illinois citizens might be surprised at the prominent names of food companies located in Illinois and the food products produced in the state, such as Beer Nuts, Betty Crocker main meals and side dishes, Brach's Candies, Butternut bread, Carl Buddig meats, Coffee-Mate coffee creamer, Eli's cheesecake, General Mills breakfast cereals, Hamburger Helper, Karo syrup, Kraft macaroni and cheese, Mazola corn oil, Oreo cookies, Plochman mustard, Post Shredded Wheat cereal, Prairie Farms dairy products and Tootsie Roll products, to name a few. The food industry is big business in Illinois. In 2003, Illinois ranked fourth among all states in the total number of food processing establishments with 1,936 facilities, according to the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. During the same period, Illinois ranked second among all states in the total number of employees in food processing with 136,511 employees. Unfortunately, grocery store shelf space is extremely difficult to obtain. Many Illinois food companies produce excellent quality food products, but they are unable to obtain shelf space for their products due to the large number of food suppliers producing the same type of items. It can also be very expensive for Illinois companies to place their food products on store shelves. Costs may include slotting fees, marketing and advertising costs, in-store requirements, uniform product code costs and packaging requirements, to name just a few. Net sale returns are literally no more than pennies per item in many cases. Without question, our choices of what we purchase have a powerful influence on the state's economy. In a recent statewide economic impact study conducted in California, findings revealed that relatively minor shifts in purchasing decisions could have a major impact on the state's economy and job outlook. Illinois consumers should make every effort to learn which food products are produced in their state and purchase those products whenever possible. By purchasing Illinois food products, Illinois consumers are adding tax dollars to the state's economy and also helping to keep many Illinois' citizens employed in food processing, food distribution and food marketing. Consumers can also play an important role in helping to place new Illinois food products on grocery store shelves. When Illinois consumers discover an Illinois food product not currently in their grocery store, they should take a sample of the product or product information to their grocery store manager and encourage them to place the product in their store. Here are three ways to learn more about buying Illinois Products... 1. Go to the Illinois Department of Agriculture's Web site (www.agr.state.il.us), click on "Marketing and Promotions," then click on "Illinois Food Guide." Choose Illinois food products by category. 2. Buy Illinois Products online by going to www.BuyIllinoisProducts.com. This Web site was just introduced in January 2004, consequently, we are still signing up participating companies. Be sure to check back often. 3. Attend the "Sixth Illinois Products Expo...A Food and Cooking Extravaganza" on March 5-7, 2004, in the Orr Building at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield. More than 80 Illinois food companies, related companies and agricultural organizations will be sampling and selling their products. For more information, go to www.agr.state.il.us, click on "Sixth Annual Illinois Products Expo."
The opinions and views of guest commentators are their own and may not represent those of the Association of Illinois Electric Cooperatives or the electric co-ops of Illinois. 4 | ILLINOIS COUNTRY LIVING | www.icl.coop |
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