HOLBROOK, NEB. (March 2, 2005)--Three GROW Nebraska members have been selected to participate in the Affiliated Foods Midwest Spring Food Show, March 5 and 6, at the Omaha Qwest Center.

Mama's Salsa, BKH Popcorn, and HR Poppin' Snacks will have an opportunity to market Nebraska-grown products to a captive audience of Affiliated Food store managers in search of new products to sell in their retail stores. Affiliated Foods Midwest oversees more than 850 stores throughout a 12-state area, and operates two distribution centers in Norfolk, Neb., and Elwood, Kan.

"This opportunity exemplifies the purpose of GROW Nebraska, which in cooperation with Congressman Tom Osborne, the Nebraska Department of Economic Development, and Great Plains Communications, wants to develop rural businesses into high- growth companies that ultimately lead to helping sustain and grow all rural Nebraska communities," said Janell Anderson Ehrke, GROW Nebraska director. "These three businesses are piloting a project that we hope will attract many more GROW members to participate in upcoming shows."

Because vendors selected for the show are required to share specific information about products, including case weights and product shelf information, Ehrke said that GROW Nebraska plans to create a system to screen and prepare potential participants for future food shows.

Traci Dietz of Mama's Salsa in Orleans secured her booth at the show without the help of GROW Nebraska, but emphasized that she has profited immeasurably from being a GROW member the past five years.

"The best benefits have been the contacts I have made, and networking opportunities available through GROW," Dietz said, adding that GROW is currently updating her website. Dietz first provided samples of her salsa at Affiliated Store sites throughout her area, eventually leading them to stock her product. During the Spring Food Show, Dietz's goal is to develop a marketing team and expand her list of contacts.

Keith Heuerman of BKH Popcorn in Phillips, and Cheryl Hughes of HR Poppin' Snacks in Gibbon have been members of GROW for two years. Heuerman believes that the exposure his product will receive during the Affiliated Midwest Food Show, thanks to GROW Nebraska's connections, is the biggest membership benefit.

"If we can get them to buy it once, we can get them back," Heuerman said. BKH Popcorn specializes in developing unique corn hybrids through plant inbreeding, and the company's products have been featured on QVC as virtually hull-free.

Hughes plans to display her six varieties of gourmet popcorn at the show. "You can't rely just on the population around you in small town Nebraska," Hughes said. Her goal is to first secure Affiliated vendors so that her products are available to all stores, then build volume accounts. Hughes is especially pleased to work with Nebraska-based Affiliated Foods, whose corporate headquarters is in Norfolk, Neb.

Hughes said she sees Affiliated Foods, whose motto is "partners in progress" really trying to help entrepreneurs.

"This is an important opportunity, and we recognize that. W have a great respect for Affiliated Foods and what they are doing," said Hughes.

The nonprofit GROW Nebraska helps maximize Nebraska's entrepreneurial spirit and build Nebraska businesses globally by providing sustainable business environments through marketing, education, and business building services, and access to markets. To learn more about GROW Nebraska, or Nebraska entrepreneurs, visit the GROW website at: www.growneb.com

FOR INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Janell Anderson Ehrke at 888-GROWNEB
(476-9632), or visit: http://www.growneb.com