Program sells La. products

• By SARAH CHACKO
• Advocate Capitol News Bureau
• Published: Oct 27, 2009 - Page: 1B

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A new Internet marketing program is expected to increase sales for Louisiana farmers and fishermen, state officials said Monday.

The state agriculture and wildlife and fisheries departments are contracting with MarketMaker, through which wholesale buyers, restaurants, grocers and the general public can find and purchase products from Louisiana farmers and fishermen.

“There is a major growth in interest … in locally grown food,” said Paul Coreil, LSU AgCenter vice chancellor, to the Press Club of Baton Rouge.

Coreil said the program will satisfy both the demand for fresh, local products as well as pay a better price to farmers and fishermen.

“It’s good for them. It’s good for the overall economy,” Agricultural and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain said.

MarketMaker, developed by the University of Illinois, costs $63,000 to purchase and $15,000 for annual maintenance, Strain said in an e-mail after his Press Club talk.

The Louisiana Recovery Authority has allocated $125,000 in federal grant funds to keep MarketMaker running for four years, Strain said.

Coreil said Louisiana’s MarketMaker Web site should be up and running by spring.

Farmers, ranchers, fishermen and other producers can register for free starting in November at LSU AgCenter extension offices, he said.

Registration will be available on the site when it launches online.

Coreil said typical sellers market fruits, vegetables, grains, meats and seafood on the site.

There is an opportunity for processed products, such as Ponchatoula strawberry ice cream and agribusinesses to be promoted, he said.

Transactions would not be done online, Coreil said, but that is a goal for the program.