Applications for the Latvian-produced high-quality dairy product competition are open until August 4th.

The Latvian Dairy Farmers' Central Union (LPCS) Cooperative Society, in cooperation with the International Exhibition Organizing Company BT 1, is organizing a competition of high-quality dairy products produced in Latvia, the winners of which will be awarded at the opening ceremony of the international food exhibition "Riga Food 2014" on September 4 in Ķīpsala.

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High-quality dairy product competitions have received significant response from dairy farmers, as well as appreciation from professionals and gourmets. The aim of the competitions is to popularize the use of dairy products in the diet of Latvian residents and to summarize the experience of dairy processing companies and craftsmen in production.

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This year, dairy products will be evaluated in six groups - kefir with a fat content of 1.5–3.0 %, ripened semi-hard cheese, unripened fresh milk cheese, cottage cheese with a fat content of 9 %, cream with a fat content of 20 % and cottage cheese products.

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“For the eighteenth time in a row, a dairy product competition will be held as part of the Riga Food 2014 exhibition, which only confirms the importance and stability of the Latvian dairy industry. Latvian dairy product producers are once again ready to demonstrate and prove the high quality of their products and that their products are worthy of an award. I am pleased that interest in the competition we organize is increasing every year, both from product producers and consumers. This year, we plan to identify and evaluate new dairy products created by our companies in recent years. This will be a great opportunity to make them even better known,” says Jānis Šolks, Chairman of the Board of LPCS.

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You can still apply!
To participate in the dairy product competition, applicants must submit a written application to LPCS (address: Bauskas iela 180, Riga) by August 4, 2014. More information can be obtained by calling: 67620874 or by emailing Zane Jonaite: info@piensaimniekusavieniba.lv.

The competition rules can be found online. www.piensaimniekusavieniba.lv and www.rigafood.lv.

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Competition committee
This year's competition committee – Dean of the Faculty of Food Technology of the Latvian University of Agriculture and Head of the Competition Committee, Associate Professor Dr. sc. ing. Inga Ciproviča, Chairman of the Board of the Cooperative Society Latvian Dairy Farmers' Central Union Janis Szolkas, Senior Expert in Reference and Certification at BIOR Inese Ozollapa, Head of the BIOR Vidzeme Regional Laboratory Andris Rava, Assistant Professor of the Latvian University of Agriculture, State Scientist Emeritus Dr. sc. ing. Lilita Ozola, Senior Expert, Animal Origin Products Production Supervision Division, Food and Veterinary Service Una Rubina, PhD student at Riga Stradins University, dietician Lolita Neuman, Deputy State Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Director of the Market and Direct Support Department Rigonda Krieviņa.

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The winners of the competition will receive gold, silver and bronze medals from the international food exhibition "Riga Food 2014", as well as certificates of appreciation from the Latvian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LPCS) and cash prizes.

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The LPCS Dairy Products Competition is organized in cooperation with the International Exhibition Organization BT 1 and is financially supported by the State Rural Network.

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As you know, the international food, beverage, food processing, technology, packaging, catering, hotel and shop equipment and service exhibition "Riga Food 2014" will be held from 4 to 7 September at the International Exhibition Centre in Ķīpsala. The exhibition is complemented by an extensive programme of events, demonstrations and competitions.

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