May 8, 2007
SOUTH BREWSTER COUNTY—Whitson Chile Products of Terlingua is the recipient of a Texas Department of Agriculture matching grant for the second year in a row. The Go Texan Partner Program (GOTEPP) provides funding to help Texas food, wine, fiber, and timber companies promote their products. This year’s grant helps offset Whitson’s expenses for promoting the company at food shows and festivals.
“We feel that sampling our products at these events is one of the best ways to spread awareness in the public,” says Whitson Chile Products owner Sarah Bourbon of Terlingua, but travel is very expensive, as are the booth fees. I am very grateful to the Department of Agriculture for their assistance last year and this. We have been able to defray half the costs of appearing at three events: SIAL Montreal, in March; The Hill Country Wine and Food Festival in April; and the Denton Arts and Jazz Festival, also in April,” she added. The grant is also funding the purchase of almost 60 pounds of beef for the chili samples.
The Montreal event was particularly significant for the company. The Whitson Chile Products booth was square in the very large USA Pavilion at the Palais de congres in Montreal’s beautiful old downtown sector. Other nations from around the world occupied their own pavilions and sampled every variety of food and drink. The show was strictly for the trade, not the public.
As a result of contacts made in Montreal the company is in negotiations with Texas’ own Central Market stores, a specialty offshoot of the H.E.B. chain, and Terlingua Sweet Hot pickles and Whitson’s Moist Chili Seasoning should soon be appearing on their shelves. “We are really excited about being in Central Market,” says Bourbon. “We have been trying for years to get their attention, but the appearance in Montreal did the trick!” The show also brought about promising contacts in Canada, Norway, and South Africa.
Whitson’s products are available at selected stores in West and North Texas and through the company web site www.whitsonschile.com.
Other Press Releases:
Aug. 11, 2007 - Whitson's Products Cross the Pond
Oct. 29, 2006 - Terlingua Firm Wins Fiery Food Award
