Indiana's Farmers Offer "Free Groceries for a Year!"

Indianapolis, IN. (Jan. 11, 2009) – Whoever said there's no such thing as a free lunch has never met Indiana's farmers. In fact, they will be offering the chance for all Indiana residents to win a free breakfast, lunch and dinner by way of free groceries for an entire year.

Beginning today, Indiana residents can register for two grand prizes of "Free Groceries for a Year!" courtesy of Indiana's farmers, at www.FarmersFeedUS.org. Upon visiting the site, consumers just register by "meeting an Indiana farmer" through a short video that shows how they produce safe, nutritious and affordable food. Consumers can register with each of the eight featured farmers daily through April 11, the end of the 90-day program.

"Our economy is changing, but agriculture's role in Indiana remains constant," said Lt. Governor Becky Skillman. "This promotion is a great effort by our farmers to share with Hoosiers the importance of modern agriculture."

On Friday, Jan. 15, Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman will speak to 600 Hoosier farmers at the Indiana Livestock, Forage & Grain Forum at the Indiana Convention Center. In addition, the eight featured farmers will also be on hand.

The Farmers Feed US web site features beef cattle, corn, dairy cattle, egg, fish, hog, sheep, and soybean farmers from across the state, each sharing information about their farm and their family. In addition to guiding visitors through their registration for free groceries, each farmer also offers a brief online tour of their farm.

Featured farmers include:

·   Abby Nichols, beef cattle farmer, Franklin

·   Adam Howell, corn farmer, Middletown

·   Bob Bixler, egg farmer, Berne

·   Brad Burbrink, soybean farmer, Terre Haute

·   Heather Hill, hog farmer, Greenfield

·   Michael Miller, fish farmer, Albany

·   Nathan Kuehnert, dairy cattle farmer, Fort Wayne

·   Stan Poe II, sheep farmer, Franklin

"As Indiana farmers, we're thrilled to offer free groceries for a year to the consumers of our great state," said Abby Nichols, a cattle farmer from Franklin, Indiana, who is a featured farmer on FarmersFeedUS.org. "This is an opportunity for us to share what we produce with Indiana consumers and to let them know we share their values - taking care of our families, taking care of our animals and land and giving back to our communities." 

Over the course of the 90-day campaign, consumers throughout the state will also see and hear from these farmers as they are featured in advertising and in-store promotions.

Participating Indiana agriculture groups include the Indiana State Department of Agriculture, Indiana Soybean Alliance, Indiana Pork Producers, Indiana Beef Council, American Dairy Association of Indiana, Indiana Sheep Association, Indiana Corn Marketing Council, Indiana State Poultry Association, and Indiana Farm Bureau.

*Based on Food Marketing Institute figures, a $5,000 value.

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