Mumbai, 5 July 2012

U.S. Consul General Peter Haas inaugurated the American Independence Day U.S. Food and Beverages Festival celebrated at Haiko Supermarket in Powai on July 5, 2012. Consul General Haas noted “American food exports are growing in popularity in India, and we are pleased to highlight some of our top products this month here in Mumbai.”

David Williams, Agricultural Attaché at the U.S. Consulate Mumbai added “Today’s celebration of healthy and nutritious American foods is part of national program including New Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore. These high-quality American foods can be used directly in Indian recipes.”

From June 29th to July 15th, 2012, Haiko supermarket in Mumbai, Le Marche stores in the National Capital Region, and SPAR hypermarkets in Bangalore will showcase agricultural and food products from the United States. This initiative, sponsored partly by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), will be the first multi-city, multi-retailer U.S. food promotional event in India.

USDA is working with leading U.S. food associations, such as the Washington Apple Commission, California Prune Board, Sunkist Growers, Paramount Farms, Food Export Association of the Midwest USA, Food Export USA North East, Southern U.S. Trade Association and Lady Liberty Brands, to make this event possible. The association groups will showcase a wide range of food, including prunes, apples, and many consumer food products from the Northeastern, Southern and Midwestern States of the United States. The participating groups will offer food samples, and will organize live chef demonstrations and short presentations by a trained nutritionist.