By Scout Nelson
This year, nearly 44,000 shoppers attended the five Pride of Dakota Showcases and Holiday Showcases, with the Fargo, Grand Forks, and Bismarck events reaching their highest attendance since the pandemic. Bismarck's event was the largest, attracting over 15,450 shoppers.
The Pride of Dakota program was established in 1985 by former Agriculture Commissioner Kent Jones. He enlisted a small group of North Dakota businesses and the Department of Agriculture’s marketing staff to create a recognizable state brand for products made in North Dakota. The program officially launched that year with around 20 companies. Today, it boasts more than 500 member companies, including large businesses with over 100 employees and smaller, local operations.
“The Fargo, Grand Forks and Bismarck showcases all posted the highest numbers since the pandemic,” said Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring. “Bismarck was again the largest event with more than 15,450 shoppers.” Many retailers across the state also stock Pride of Dakota products, which can be found in the Retailers section on the program’s website.
Managed by the North Dakota Department of Agriculture, the Pride of Dakota program offers marketing and promotional opportunities for its members, including in-store demos, Pride of Dakota Day, and showcases. The program also supports educational initiatives and representation at national and international marketing events. Currently, more than 530 North Dakota companies, including food, beverage, manufacturing, and artisan businesses, are members of Pride of Dakota.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-kali9
Categories: North Dakota, Business