February 10, 2023
Four Virginia Agribusinesses to Exhibit at Gulfood Dubai 2023
Companies to introduce diverse and innovative foods to growing Middle East
Contact: Michael Wallace
Four Virginia agribusinesses will exhibit at the 2023 Gulfood Trade Show in Dubai, February 20-24. Celebrating its 28th year, Gulfood is the world’s largest food and beverage sourcing event with representatives from more than 125 countries in attendance. The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) is hosting a pavilion which will include exhibition booths of Clark + Hopkins Artisanal Sauces, Commercial Lynks, LillyBean by PastryBase, and the Plant Based Seafood Company at this year’s event.
“I’m thrilled that we are helping to introduce Virginia products to the Middle East. These four Virginia companies are embracing Governor Glenn Youngkin’s promise to promote Virginia agricultural exports to expand the customer-base of the Commonwealth’s robust ag and forestry industries,” said Matthew Lohr, Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry. “Developing export opportunities for Virginia agriculture and forestry products helps diversify sales portfolios, while also helping to grow jobs, grow our economy and grow opportunity.”
Gulfood presents new business opportunities and a platform to introduce Virginia’s products and capabilities to the Middle East. The four exhibiting companies offer a wide range of products from top-quality grains and pulses to vegan and organic specialty foods and sauces.
Commercial Lynks, an agricultural commodities supplier based in Northern Virginia, specializes in high-quality U.S. grown grain. The company also works with the USDA to provide commodities to food-insecure communities and disaster relief programs around the world.
Clark + Hopkins Artisanal Hot Sauces, a two-time SOFI Award winner and recipient of numerous other awards including a SCOVIE Award for their Chesapeake Bay Bloody Mary Mix. Also featured on the YouTube’s show, Hot Ones, twice. The company will present a flight of global hot sauces inspired by regions of the world. Clark + Hopkins is launching #UkraineHotSauceMission, a hot sauce inspired by the cuisine of Ukraine where proceeds benefit World Central Kitchen and their efforts to feed the Ukrainian people.
LillyBean by PastryBase offers those with food allergies a delicious and easy solution to baking gourmet, safe and allergen-free desserts. Featuring vegan sugars and gluten-free flours, LillyBean’s natural products can be found throughout the U.S., Canada, and the United Kingdom. LillyBean has received many accolades and awards including a SOFI Award for “Best New Product.”
Plant Based Seafood Co. will present its groundbreaking brand, Mind Blown™, which includes frozen crab cakes, coconut and dusted shrimp, and recently developed shelf-stable scallop, all made from meat alternatives with healthy, delicious and sustainable methods. Mind Blown was recently recognized on the Real Leaders’ Impact Awards list as one of the “world’s top impact companies who are leading the way in business as a force for good.”
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