State Fair food tells story of Hoosier farmers
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowNothing says the Indiana State Fair like turkey legs, Hoosier ribeye sandwiches, lemon shakeups, and treats at the Dairy Bar. As the fair continues through Aug. 20, you’ll still be able to sample all of the traditional fair food favorites, but there are also some new, homegrown Hoosier items on the menu from vendors who see the fair as a great way to showcase their products.
Some of those new items include the BBQ Pork Wings from the Indiana Pork Producers Association, the Indiana Grown Burger from Red Frazier Bison Ranch in Spencer, and the Deep-Fried Sandwich Cookie Ale from Sun King Brewery.
Brooke Williams with the American Dairy Association Indiana said many of the food offerings, including at the Dairy Bar, are opportunities to tell the stories of Hoosier farmers.
“People want to eat local; they want to meet who the farmer is that’s raising their food that’s growing their food,” Williams said. “The Dairy Bar gets to be that extension. We have this great audience, people lined up wanting to try the food that comes straight from a farm.”
The Dairy Bar has been a staple at the Indiana State Fair since 1941, when it was only selling milk. Now, Williams says it sells approximately 60,000 grilled cheese sandwiches, about 70,000 milkshakes, and about 13,000 glasses of milk every year at the fair.
“All those numbers add to the whole story of dairy, and what those numbers are like for the state of Indiana,” she said. “We are the fifth commodity for sales, and the dairy industry brings about $750 million to the state of Indiana. So while we’re only here for 18 days, it’s just telling that larger story of the impact.”
The Dairy Bar features a signature sandwich and milkshake each year in addition to the traditional offerings. This year, fairgoers can get an Italian melt featuring provolone cheese and basil on sourdough bread, as well as a mint chocolate shake topped with Thin Mint Girls Scout cookies, with some of the proceeds benefiting the Girl Scouts of Central Indiana.
And there are far more eclectic food offerings at this year’s fair, such as Deep-Fried Corn on a Stick, Indiana Hardwood Nachos from Twisted Drinks and Food in Muncie, and The Hoosier Slam Dunk Caramel Apple Surprise from Indiana-based Jessop Candy Products.
You can learn more about this year’s food offerings by clicking here.