Maryland’s Best Expo Scheduled for January 7, 2025
Opportunity for Maryland Farmers, Seafood Producers, and Processors to Connect with Buyers
The Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) will host the Maryland’s Best Expo on Tuesday, January 7 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis. Returning for its 21st year the Maryland’s Best Expo provides an opportunity for Maryland farmers, seafood producers, and processors to connect with buyers from grocery retailers, restaurants, schools, food distributors, and other venues.
Over the past two decades, MDA’s Marketing Program, Maryland’s Best, has promoted our state’s agricultural and seafood products, and expanded markets for our farmers and producers.
The 2024 Maryland’s Best Expo attracted more than 400 attendees.
Participants included farmers, producers, watermen, aquaculturists, processors, grocery store retailers, restaurants, schools, institutions, distributors, economic development officials, University of Maryland Extension (UME) agents, and regional agricultural marketing officials.
Due to popular demand, this year’s event will again take place at the Akerson Tower located at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, 550 Taylor Avenue, Annapolis. Registration is required for producers and buyers.
To Register, Click one of the Links Below
You should attend this event if you are:
- A Maryland grower, watermen, seafood company, or processor interested in finding new markets for your products;
- For exhibitors, please click here.
NOTE: You will pay for your registration first. At the end of the registration, it will direct you to a new link to finish setting up your registration. You are not confirmed until BOTH links are completed.
- For exhibitors, please click here.
- A buyer from a grocery store, restaurant, hospital, school, or other venue looking to purchase Maryland grown or produced products
- Please note, buyers registration is free but still need to RSVP. Please click the link here if you are a buyer.
- A service provider in agriculture or local food.
- If you are attending, but not exhibiting, or a restaurant or retail buyer, please RSVP here.
NEW FOR THE 2025 EXPO
Celebrating our 21st year, the expo has expanded to include more services geared towards producers and buyers including:
- Free media training with WMAR News and Matthew Scales of Maryland’s Best
- Mini learning sessions with buyers from Whole Foods and Kline’s – ShopRite
- 30 minute presentation on FSMA 204 from an FDA Representative
- Product Photography and headshots with professional photographer, Steve Vilnit at a reduced cost
- Free mini business consultations from Cureate for producers who are looking to get started in value-agriculture products
- Watch local farm businesses pitch live in front of a panel of expert judges for a chance to bring home a $5,000 check! Attendees will get to vote in real time for the winner of a separate community prize fund.
The pitch showcase is the culmination of Cureate’s free 10-week food & beverage entrepreneurship education program. The small businesses for this cohort were selected by a committee of community partners, and are 70% woman-owned, 80% black-owned.
- More to be announced on the Whova app!
Sponsorship Opportunities are available!
Expo SponsorshipSheet-103124 .pdf
Please contact Audrey to lock in your sponsorship now – audrey.broomfield@maryland.gov.
For feature details, visit Whova
