What is one commonality between St. Louis toasted ravioli and Kansas City barbecue? Or, closer to home, Brooklyn Pizza in Fulton and, in and around Jefferson City, Driver's barbecue sauce and Grandma's Cool & Zesty Dressing?
All are regional favorites, and all are made in Missouri.
Missouri produces a wide spectrum of quality products, with too many categories even to name here. Suffice to say most anything you need or want, you can find versions of it made in the Show-Me State.
This week, Lt. Gov. Mike Parson is launching "Buy Missouri," a new statewide program to shed light on such products. The program will recognize and promote products made within the borders of Missouri to help strengthen the state's economy.
"Our state has hundreds of quality products, and deserve the recognition that Buy Missouri will bring to them," Parson said. "This kind of project has never been done on this scale in our state's history, and we believe by promoting Missouri products ranging from barbecue sauce to windows to pet food, our economy will be strengthened. This is a win-win for Missouri manufacturers and consumers alike."
Parson is traveling around the state this week, visiting 10 communities to stump for Missouri-made products. He's joined by Associated Industries of Missouri President Ray McCarty, Missouri Farm Bureau President Blake Hurst, Missouri Department of Economic Development Rural Development Manager Luke Holtschneider, and representatives from the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Among other stops, they'll visit Fitz's Premium Root Beer in St. Louis, Shakespeare's Pizza in Columbia and The Roasterie in Kansas City.
During the Christmas holidays, we urge our readers to shop locally. To support our area businesses and our local tax base, the next best thing is to shop within the Show-Me State.
Missouri businesses proudly offer all sorts of quality products and services. Doing business with them helps keep all of our hard-earned money in Missouri.
To find an extensive list of Missouri products and services, visit agrimissouri.com/mo-made or missourimade.net.