Maybe government officials think I’m joking when I say this state needs an official state food. Maybe that’s why they won’t respond to my e-mails, or, when they do, they say the message has been forwarded and I never hear from them again.

It’s almost like this state — which even has an official neckwear, the bola tie — doesn’t want an official food, which could shine a positive light on the many agricultural products we produce. The way our politicians waste time you’d think they could stop and do just a little something to help Arizona’s image, but I guess they’re too busy designating an official state gun to bother with that.

But I’m not giving up. I have contacted the Arizona Beef Council for guidance and am awaiting a response.

I will not rest until Arizona has an official state food. That is all.

(One slight consolation is that now when you try to Google Arizona's state food, this story is the fifth result. I wouldn't exactly call that progress, but it's a start.)