Press Releases
Comer invites Lexington Legends fans to enjoy Appalachia Proud Burgers at the game in 2014
For Immediate Release
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
For more information contact:
Ted Sloan
(502) 564-1138
FRANKFORT, Ky. — When Lexington Legends fans buy their peanuts and Cracker Jacks at the ballpark this season, they also can buy hamburgers from a Kentucky Proud supplier. Agriculture Commissioner James Comer today announced that the Legends will buy their hamburgers from The Chop Shop of Wolfe County, Ky., for the 2014 season.
“This exciting partnership is a home run for The Chop Shop and the Appalachia Proud program,” Commissioner Comer said. “This deal will generate thousands of dollars in new income for The Chop Shop and the small eastern Kentucky farmers that it serves.”
“We are pleased to make Appalachia Proud Burgers from The Chop Shop the exclusive hamburger of the Lexington Legends in 2014,” club President Andy Shea said. “The Lexington Legends have a proud, long-standing relationship with the Kentucky Department of Agriculture and Kentucky Proud. Good local food and Lexington Legends baseball are a winning combination.”
The Chop Shop will supply hamburger to Critchfield Meats of Lexington, which will distribute it to the Legends.
“To have the opportunity to get some of our product to the Legends is a pretty good achievement for a newly established business like ours,” said Jonathan Whitt, who opened The Chop Shop last Oct. 8. “Working with Critchfield Meats, which has an outstanding name and recognition for their products, really helps us get started and gives us a dependable client.”
The Chop Shop is the largest U.S. Department of Agriculture-inspected processor in eastern Kentucky and the newest USDA-inspected facility in the state. Its construction was funded in part with a $350,000 grant from the Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund. The plant, located off the Lee City exit of the Mountain Parkway, also contains a retail shop.
Appalachia Proud is a new marketing program Commissioner Comer launched in February dedicated to generating economic development through agriculture in 37 eastern Kentucky counties.
The Lexington Legends have sold Kentucky Proud foods during their home games every season for nearly a decade. Along with the Appalachia Proud burgers, they also will offer Kentucky Proud pulled pork, brats, sausages, and popcorn. The Legends, the Class A affiliate of the Kansas City Royals, will open the 2014 season April 3 at Whitaker Bank Ballpark.
“When you go to a Lexington Legends game this season, be sure to pick up Appalachia Proud Burgers for you and your family to enjoy,” Commissioner Comer said. “You will be buying fresh, local products, and you’ll help a dynamic new Kentucky Proud business and several Kentucky farmers.”
