March 2025 GO TEXAN Newsletter by GO TEXAN

CHAMPION SPONSORS

The United Family’s Discovery Showcase Event is composed of meetings, breakouts and a supplier expo to help businesses scale into retail, where the most standout suppliers may have the opportunity to sell their product at a United Family banner store. From the applications received, The United Family will invite select participants to attend an in-person event to help break through traditional processes for an opportunity to pitch their products directly to our business team in Lubbock, Texas on April 30, 2025.

If you’re a vendor looking to do business with a company that values small towns and local communities, look no further than The United Family. Apply Now for our Discovery Showcase and work with United locations throughout Texas and New Mexico.

The United Family is committed to supporting the local economy by sourcing local products and encouraging team members to give back to their communities. The United Family sources suppliers that best match their needs, regardless of their business size or classification, and through relationships with diverse suppliers, they can offer a broader assortment of products at prices their customers can afford. By partnering with United Supermarkets, you’ll be supporting small and innovative companies that strengthen the economic health of the communities they serve.

Application deadline: March 10th

GO TEXAN MEGA Event Grant - Apply Now!

The GO TEXAN Marketing Enhancement Grant Assistance (MEGA) Program is designed to provide grant funds to GO TEXAN partners to assist with the marketing and promotion of certified Texas agricultural products, including those that have been produced, processed, or otherwise had value added to the product in Texas; certified Texas non-agricultural products; Associate GO TEXAN Registrants; and the GO TEXAN Program.

GTE grants are designed to provide grant funds to GO TEXAN Associate Partners at any tier level who coordinate public festivals, farmers markets, and events across the state that will promote GO TEXAN businesses, Texas made products, and the overall GO TEXAN Program. Applications are open now through March 20th.

Request for Grant Application

Required Action

Create a TDA-GO Profile (see TDA-GO Access Instructions)

Timing to Obtain/Submit

Obtain a TIN/EIN (if you do not already have one) * up to 2 weeks

Request Access to by creating TDA-GO profile (if you do not already have one)*

TDA Deadline to receive final application and all supporting materials through TDA-GO

Award Timeline

48-72 hours ahead of the application submission deadline for TDA to approve account. Last minute registrations are not guaranteed.

March 20, 2025 - 11:59 p.m. Central Time

Anticipated Award July 2025 (or as soon thereafter as practical)

Anticipated Start Date of Project/Grant August 1, 2025

End Date of Project December 31, 2026

TDA works closely with trade organizations including the Southern United States Trade Association (SUSTA) and U.S. Livestock Genetics Export (USLGE). Through these partnerships, TDA supports Texas companies to expand (or establish) their international presence by participating in international trade missions and trade shows.

Participating businesses can get reimbursed up to 50% of eligible expenses such as international travel to shows, advertising, freight, in-store demonstrations and so much more through SUSTA's 50% CostShare Program and USLGE's Branded Program.

If you know companies interested in exporting or expanding their market reach, we encourage them to contact the International Marketing Team to discuss the available resources.

Upcoming SUSTA Events - 2025

SUSTA Sponsored Webinar: Tools for Exporting Success, Mar 18, 2025 9:00am - 10:30am CST Register Here

Canadian Produce Marketing Association (CPMA) Show (Canada - April 8 - 10)

Seafood Expo Global (Spain - May 6 - 8)

HOFEX (Hong Kong - May 14 -16)

SIAL China (China - May 19 - 21)

Seoul Food and Hotel (South Korea - June 10 -13)

Summer Fancy Food Show (New York - June 29 - July 1)

ANUGA (Germany - October 4 - 8)

Interested? Contact Roxana Newton at (512) 463-2537 or email

GoGlobal@texasagriculture.gov for more information.

Seoul, South Korea

June 10-13

REGISTRATION DEADLINE: MARCH 10, 2025

Seoul Food & Hotel is the most inclusive and important food trade in South Korea. As Korea's largest international food and hospitality trade show, Seoul Food & Hotel is seen as an effective trading platform for the industry. Seoul Food & Hotel delivers a vital business hub for high quality Korean buyers and industry experts to source premium goods and view worldwide industry trends across various sectors.

PARTICIPATION FEE:

CORNER BOOTH: $2,015; EARLY BIRD SPECIAL: $1,815 (REGISTER AND PAY BEFORE JANUARY 13, 2024)

IN-LINE BOOTH: $1,852; EARLY BIRD SPECIAL: $1,652 (REGISTER AND PAY BEFORE JANUARY 13, 2024)

REGISTER NOW - ANUGA 2025

Cologne, Germany

REGISTRATION DEADLINE: JULY 4, 2025

Oct 4 - 8

ANUGA is divided into smaller sections each representing a different segment of the broad food industry; these are some of the categories that comprise ANUGA: Fine Food, Frozen Food, Meat, Chilled & Fresh Food, Dairy, Bread & Bakery, Drinks, Organic, Hot Beverages, and Culinary Concepts. All of these offer unparalleled business opportunities for both visitors and exhibitors; furthermore, these are some of the products in high demand at the tradeshow: vegan & vegetarian options, organic, fairtrade products, gluten-free products, and lactose-free products.

PARTICIPATION FEE:

$6,200 (IF YOU REGISTER AND PAY BEFORE MAY 4, 2025)

$6,000 (IF YOU REGISTER AFTER MAY 4, 2025)

Has the GO TEXAN program helped your business shine? Have you made key contacts, gotten a product into more stores or found help sourcing locally through the program? Anything else to brag about as a program benefit? We’d like to hear your stories! They may be used in brochures, on social media or in other publications.

Complete this form to share your experience!

GO TEXAN Social Media Features

GO TEXAN is proud to showcase Partners across our social media accounts! With an audience of over 85,000 people, you could be featured through a Partner Spotlight.

Please complete this form to participate.

Questions? Contact Chloe Bertrand at chloe.bertrand@texasagriculture.gov.

2025 Texas Restaurant Show - Houston, Texas

George R. Brown Convention Center

The Texas Restaurant Show offers two days of face-to-face engagement through exhibits, education, and networking events. The Show welcomes thousands of attendees including regional chefs, restaurant owners, distributors, managers, executives, educators, and consultants under one roof — which means a powerful and dynamic marketing platform for your company.

The Exhibit Hall showcases global foodservice companies offering products and services including food & beverage, technology, equipment manufacturers and suppliers, delivery systems and more to a targeted audience representing $106 billion in sales in Texas alone. The 2024 Texas Restaurant Show was a resounding success, with over 5,500 attendees (10% increase over 2023) and 500 restaurant industry exhibitors.

GO TEXAN Pavilion discounted booth space costs $2,000 per 10 x 10 space , a $1,200 discount! Each booth contains complimentary carpet, one 6’ draped table, and one chair. Check out the 2025 FLOORPLAN.

When: Thursday, March 14th - Sunday, March 16th, 2025

What: Fun Town RV’s 2025 DFW RV Party

Where: AT&T Stadium, 1 AT&T Way, Arlington, TX 76011

GO TEXAN Discount: GO TEXAN vendors can showcase their products to over 40,000 people over four days for a booth rental fee of only $100 for a 10x10 booth. When submitting the vendor form, please be sure to mention that you are a GO TEXAN vendor in the "ADDITIONAL COMMENTS" section at the bottom of the form to ensure you receive the discounted price.

The DFW RV Party is a premier event drawing RV enthusiasts, industry professionals, and families to explore the latest in RVs, outdoor products, and accessories. This event offers vendors the perfect opportunity to showcase their products, make valuable connections, and gain significant exposure in the RV community.

ZestFest 2025 - Fort Worth, Texas

What: ZestFest 2025

When: May 23-25, 2025

Where: Will Rogers Memorial Center, Amon G. Carter Exhibit Hall, Fort Worth, TX

GO TEXAN Partners are invited to participate as food vendors at the 23nd Annual ZestFest 2025, featuring the spiciest exhibitors and products around the country for one sizzling weekend. Over the years, ZestFest has averaged a weekend attendance of 10,000 zesty food lovers -- tasting and buying their food favorites.

GO TEXAN partners receive a $100 discount on any standard booth making the discounted price for a 10’x10’ booth $840. They are also offering a limited number of 6’x10’ booths for $578. Sponsorships are also available. Exhibitors will receive the following in combination with the booth purchase: health department permits, 2 complimentary tickets to the Fiery Food Challenge Awards banquet on Friday evening, skirted table, 2 chairs, waste basket, washing station and identification sign.

Contact June DeRousse at 210-882-0952 or june@zestfest.net to book your discounted

GO TEXAN booth. Don’t delay! Booths are booking daily on a first come first served basis

2025 Fiery Food Challenge -

What: 28th Fiery Food Challenge

When: Judging May 19-21, 2025

Where: Will Rogers Memorial Center, Fort Worth, TX

The Fiery Food Challenge (FFC) is the most recognized and prestigious blind tasting competition of zesty products in the industry. In addition to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place awards, all winning companies receive 1,000 FFC winner labels for placement on their honored products. Companies worldwide are invited to participate in the quest for the coveted first place Golden Chile award Awards are announced and presented the first evening of ZestFest. You do not have to exhibit at ZestFest to enter, but the deadline for receipt of entries is April 11, 2025.

Contact June DeRousse at 210-882-0952 or june@zestfest.net for the FFC entry form.

Grow at Clark Gardens - Weatherford, Texas

"Grow at Clark Gardens" is back! Throughout March, Grow at Clark Gardens will host events designed to enrich the lives of local citizens and tourists through art, wellness, and nature-based activities.

Vendor Markets:

March 8, 2025 10:30am - 4:30pm: Let's Grow GirlsVendors on this date must be offering products directed towards a female clientele.

March 29, 2025 10:00am - 4:00pm: Let the Good Times Grow - A vendor market that has a little bit of something for everyone.

GO TEXAN Partners receive a discounted booth rate of $56.25 per day.

To participate, please submit a Vendor Form.

Spirits of the West Fest - Alpine, Texas

Spirits of the West Fest | April 25 & 26, 2025 | Alpine, Texas

A festival celebrating pure Texas wines, brews, spirits, music and food. All of the best of Texas, in the heart of Far West Texas!

More info: www.spiritsfestwtx.com

REGISTER

20+ Spirits Vendors - such as William Chris, Andalusia Whiskey, Wild Texas Wines, Tito's Vodka, La Pulga Tequila... and more!

20+ Retail Vendors - such as Old Bones Chilli, CABOOTS Handmade Boots, Hammerson Forge, Dibs Mixers, Wild Texas Food Company... and more!

10 Food Vendors - such as Oh My Pizza!, Bock Burger, The Caribbean Lobster Guy, 10 Mile Productions, Sky Island.. and more!

The Nacogdoches County Chamber is inviting all GO TEXAN Partners to consider attending the 35th annual Texas Blueberry Festival! If you are interested in getting first crack at applying for vendor space, please contact the Nacogdoches County Chamber of Commerce, 936-560-5533, or email president@nactx.com.

The annual event is always the second Saturday in June, making it June 14, 2025 in historic downtown Nacogdoches (The Oldest Town in Texas). It attracts over 20 thousand attendees to the festival grounds and offers guests tons of delicious activities including a car show, pie eating contest, photo ops, a 42 tourney, washer board tourney, pet parade, live stage entertainment, cooking demos, pickleball play, a sweet shop and more!

GO TEXAN LICENSE PLATE

ALERT - Online Scams Targeting Texans

Statement from Commissioner Sid Miller

“I urge every Texan to stay vigilant against scams and fraudulent activities. Unfortunately, criminals continue to prey upon hardworking Texans, often posing as government agencies or officials to steal your money or personal information. These deceitful schemes can come through phone calls, emails, or fake websites and social media accounts. If something doesn’t feel right, trust your instincts and proceed with caution.

I want to make one thing clear: the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) will never ask you for money or personal information via phone, email, or any unsolicited communication. If you receive such a request, it’s a scam—plain and simple. Don’t send money, don’t share your personal details, and report any suspicious activity to your local authorities immediately. Your safety and security are our top priority."

Examples: