Select Success Stories
“Thanks to Idaho Preferred® for their wonderful support. I know that my membership through Idaho Preferred® is probably the best money I can spend. Through every program they provide, and the personal touch the staff puts on every little part of this great organization, I will always be grateful for everything they do for the small business owner.”
--Shelly Craig, Dilly’s in Nampa
“Idaho Preferred® provides us a prestige marketing edge that will allow us to take our business to the next level.”
--Mitch Lucero, A+ Ranch
Restaurants & Foodservice
- Great networking opportunities for chefs and local producers were the highlight of the 2nd annual Sun Valley Farmer-Chef Collaborative held on April 21, 2010. In Sun Valley, seventeen agricultural companies participated in one-on-one networking time with twelve Wood River and Magic Valley restaurants that are interested in serving local food on their menus. Restaurants estimated that seven new producer contacts were gained as a result of their participation in the event. Producers reported gaining an average of five restaurant contacts and an estimated $10,000 increase in sales over the next twelve months.
- Five restaurants participated in the first “Foodservice Promotion Program” in fall of 2009, including two restaurants from northern Idaho, one from eastern Idaho, and two from the Treasure Valley. Restaurants identified a minimum of four Idaho Preferred member products on their menus and/or advertisements. Restaurants estimated that approximately $11,000 and an increase of 10% in sales will be gained through their participation in the program.
- Sysco Idaho is the state’s largest foodservice distributor and they held 3 foodservice shows across the state. Idaho Preferred participated to remind restaurants, chefs, schools and foodservice operators of the great Idaho products distributed by Sysco. Over 400 foodservice personnel attended shows in Idaho Falls, Twin Falls and McCall to learn about new products and marketing strategies in the industry. Products included Zeppole breads, Gem Pack chorizo, Clear Springs trout and Fresca tortillas and chips.
Retail
- Idaho Preferred® has had a strong partnership with Walmart since the program’s inception in 2004. In FY09, Walmart purchased more than $269,000,000 from 316 Idaho suppliers located across the state, a 50% increase from 3 years ago.
Education
- Idaho Preferred®’s educational program is one of the largest and most progressive in the nation. One area of sustained growth has been the fundraising program. The Idaho Preferred fundraiser features healthy, Idaho products bought directly from the farmers themselves. Since the pilot program in 2005, the fundraiser has tripled in terms of participating schools and has more than tripled sales of products. In 2009, 42 schools participated to raise more than $25,000, resulting in $30,000 in sales for participating Idaho companies.
- “Working with Idaho Preferred® has been a pleasure. We are in our fourth year with the fundraiser and plan on doing many more. Idaho Dept. of Agriculture is organized and easy to work with. ALL of the products are packaged beautifully and taste great!”
--Tifny Lago, Woodside Elementary on the Idaho Preferred® fundraiser
Member Success Stories
Five restaurants participated in the first “Foodservice Promotion Program” in fall of 2009, including two restaurants from northern Idaho, one from eastern Idaho, and two from the Treasure Valley.Find out more >
