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chefs & restaurantscookingnewswine & drinks

News Bites: RI Craft Beer Week 2023 / Little City Thrifty Vintage Market Returns / RI Red Food Tours PVD Valley / Hope & Main Makers Marketplace / Newport Restaurant Group Donations

by David Dadekian
written by David Dadekian

Current news releases—Eat Drink RI is not the source for these items—please follow any links for more information.

RI Craft Beer Week 2023 is March 3-12

Rhode Island Craft Beer Week 2023
Rhode Island Craft Beer Week 2023

Get thirsty for some local fun! The second annual RI Craft Beer Week will be from March 3rd to March 12th 2023.  This celebration of RI’s beer manufacturers will feature happenings at Rhode Island breweries as well as events featuring Rhody beers at bars, restaurants, liquor stores and more. Get ready for a “Saugy Showdown” hot dog eating contest at Linesider Brewing.  Dust off your thinking caps for “Name Your Beer” Trivia at Narragansett Brewing; the winning team will get to name a new beer! Musical Bingo, anyone? Smug Brewing will host that fun twice during the RI Craft Beer Week! And the “Rhode Map Challenge” contest will be happening all week long. Visiting all the breweries this week could win you beer festival tickets!

There are now 36 breweries in the RI Brewers Guild, compared to only five a decade ago! At least two more are set to open in 2023. Each of these small businesses employs Rhode Islanders, adds local culture, and boosts tourism in the Ocean State.  And what they brew is delicious! Let’s celebrate them!

Kyle Toste, Assistant Brewer at Linesider Brewing in East Greenwich is enthusiastic about the week.  “I got into the professional craft brewing industry here in Rhode Island about three years ago and have always loved the camaraderie among all the breweries. RI Craft Beer Week is a celebration of breweries in our state and an opportunity for us to celebrate with our patrons in fun and unique ways. I love RI Craft Beer Week because it gives us a chance to create events that show a different side of us than just being ‘brewers’ like our Saugy Eating Contest at Linesider or an Industry Karaoke Contest at Narragansett and SO MANY MORE!”

One of the more unique features of RI Craft Beer Week is the “Rhode Map Challenge”.  Utilizing the RI Brewers Guild Passport App on your smartphone, craft beer enthusiasts can check into and post photos of their beer from as many RI Breweries as they can that week.  The RI Brewers Guild wants to be clear that this should only be attempted with the help of a designated driver.  Prizes will be awarded to the top five fans including two tickets to the Newport Beer Festival, two tickets to the Ocean State Beer Festival, two entries to the Craft Brew Races Newport, and more! Last year more than a thousand people checked in at RI Breweries during RI Craft Beer Week.  Be part of this year’s fun!

“One of the many benefits of living in Rhode Island is that you can travel basically anywhere in the entire state in under an hour.  With the help of a dedicated designated driver, fans can visit all or at least most of our members during RI Craft Beer Week! Last year two diehards made it to them all!” said Gary Richardson, Executive Director of the RI Brewers Guild.

RI Craft Beer Week stickers and coasters will be available at some locations during this week and all events will be listed on the RI Brewers Guild website by February 24th.  For more information about RI Craft Beer Week and to find events near you visit: https://www.ribrewersguild.org/ri-craft-beer-week/

“RI Craft Beer Week is fun because it recognizes the hard work and creativity of small local businesses,” states Rob DaRosa, co-owner and brewer at Smug Brewing Company in Pawtucket. “That is something worth celebrating!”

Brooke Cure, Community Manager at Narragansett Brewery states, “It’s nice to have a week that supports all the brewers in RI and to get creative hosting some fun events for the people who support us!” Gregory Martell, co-owner of Rejects Beer Co. in Middletown commented, “March signifies the very beginning of being able to enjoy RI beers outside on the patio again.  We are so ready for that! And Craft Beer Week is a great reason for us to travel to see our friends breweries…even if it means crossing bridges!”

Little City Thrifty Vintage Market Returns to WaterFire Arts Center

March 4 & 5, 2023
Noon to 6pm (11am Early Buying Hour)
WaterFire Arts Center
475 Valley Street, Providence, RI

Recently named “Rhode Island’s Best Flea Market” by national publication Domino Magazine, Little City Thrifty is a curated weekend of indoor vintage and antiques shopping, with items available for purchase at all price points. From high-end designer vintage clothing to out-of-print vinyl records to art and collectibles, you’ll find it all at WaterFire Arts Center on March 4th & 5th. 

Little City Thrifty’s March event will bring vintage lovers and dealers from far and wide, and will feature over 90 booths of vintage and pre-loved clothing, books, barware, records, art, ephemera, furniture, home decor, and much more. The lineup includes local favorites, as well as well-known vendors from 8 other states, with businesses coming from as far as Indiana.

“Going into our third Little City Thrifty Vintage Market, it’s been incredible to see how passionately the vintage-loving community here in New England has supported our event and all of the small businesses that vend with us,” says co-founder of Little City Thrifty, BJ Mansuetti. His wife and business partner, Robin Dionne, adds, “As a lifelong vintage collector and seller, I love to see the vintage community breathe new life into pre-loved items. The venn diagram of fashion, sustainability, and community building at Little City Thrifty makes for a very special weekend.”

Entry includes a complimentary small beverage, provided by participating beverage sponsors. Attendees will have their choice of a small cocktail from Bully Boy Distillers, a small beer from either Rejects Beer Co. or Trinity Brewhouse, a small hot coffee from New Harvest Coffee Roasters, or a glass bottle of Topo Chico sparkling mineral water.

General Admission tickets are $8 in advance and may be available for $10 at the door, if the event does not sell out. “Early Buying Hour” tickets are also available but are very limited. For $15, these tickets allow for entry a full hour before the event starts, and they’re perfect for those who want some extra elbow-room while shopping and to get a first look at the vendors’ collections and rare items.

For a full list of vendors and to purchase advance tickets, visit www.littlecitythrifty.com.

Rhode Island Red Food Tours Announces the PVD Valley Neighborhood Victuals Tour

Explore Providence’s repurposed industrial corridor on a winter tour that will introduce you to local foodpreneurs, brewers and distillers.

Rhode Island Red Food Tours

Rhode Island Red Food Tours is excited to announce the launch of the PVD Valley Neighborhood Victuals Tour, kicking off this Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023 at 11 a.m. The tour will commence each Saturday at 11 a.m. thereafter through April 1st. 

Focusing on foodpreneurs, makers, brewers and distillers within the inclusive Valley neighborhood in northwestern Providence, tour guests will learn more about how this former industrial corridor was transformed into a sprouting food and arts hub and will be introduced to small batch craft food products made in Rhode Island, as well as the people who are committed to primarily utilizing sustainable local and regional ingredient sources. 

With a fascinating history and strong sense of community, the Valley neighborhood continues to evolve while attracting Rhode Island businesses, artists and culinary artisans, farmers and chefs responsible for building this burgeoning food and drink production scene. PVD Valley Neighborhood Victuals Tour guests will also be introduced to two stalwarts of the neighborhood’s renaissance: The Steel Yard; a historic industrial complex turned non-profit industrial art center and shared studio, and the 60,000-square-foot Farm Fresh Food Hub.

“This is something we’ve been working on making a reality for some time now,” says Paula Silva, Rhode Island Red Food Tour’s founder and Chief Tasting Officer. “The Valley neighborhood is one of the Capital City’s true success stories and has been a magnet for so much talent in the food and drink space—and it keeps getting better. We’re also thrilled to be introducing our first winter tour. Our Newport Neighborhood Tour and Downcity Providence Tour, which take place from springtime through the end of the year, continue to be the top-ranked food tours in the state, but we wanted to offer something during these relatively quieter months that really showcases our exceptional RI makers in the food and drink scene which thrives year-round.” 

Details: 

  • Guided tour of the neighborhood and marketplace includes tastings from 8+ local food and drink purveyors. 
  • Tickets cost $79 per person (includes alcohol tastings. Non-alcohol substitutions may be provided if specified when purchasing tickets).
  • The duration of the tour is 3-3.5 hours and guests can expect to walk approximately half a mile.
  • Tours operate rain or shine.
  • Rhode Island Red Food Tour gift certificates are available, can be applied toward any available public Rhode Island Red Food Tour, and do not expire. 
  • Free shopping tote included.

Hope & Main Plants Roots in Downtown Providence Makers Marketplace

Invites Locals to Become Foodieconomists at New Urban Eatery Showcasing Local Foods and Global Flavors

Seeking to create more equitable access for emerging food-preneurs of all means and backgrounds, Hope & Main, Rhode Island’s first food business incubator, is opening the Makers Marketplace at 100 Westminster Street in the heart of downtown Providence. Hope & Main’s first entry into Rhode Island’s capital city marks the beginning of the next era for the organization which has helped more than 450 food businesses to launch since its inception in 2014.

The Makers Marketplace at 100 Westminster Street will feature dozens of locally made foods and drinks from a diverse member community, many of whom come from the state’s urban core. The space will allow for tasting, sipping and shopping while serving to expose thousands of people who work in the city’s Financial District to the culinary delights curated by Hope & Main’s food-preneurs.

Lisa Raiola, President and Founder of Hope & Main said, “For a new food business, the journey to a retail shelf is full of high hurdles. The opportunity, just a few months into launching your business at Hope & Main, to feature your product at the Downtown Makers Marketplace is a huge advantage for food start-ups. This will help to accelerate new brands into the local marketplace– I think much to the delight of Rhode Island eaters everywhere!”

Hope & Main Makers Market will be open weekdays for breakfast and lunch, offering hand-crafted locally sourced items, grab-and-go foods, a curated selection of Hope & Main members’ products and prepared foods, as well as a coffee, tea and craft beverage bar anchored by (Hope & Main member business) Schastea. 

Breakfast and lunch menu items also include tastes of Hope & Main makers. Order up a breakfast bowl and find heaps of hash made with La Arepa Black Beans. Enjoy an H&M Melt and discover Chicamonina Barbacoa seasoning. Magic Bird salsa, Chi Kitchen Kimchi Slaw, Pickily quick pickles, Buns Bakery rolls are also featured in menu offerings.  

Products and prepared foods in the Hope & Main Makers Marketplace range from traditional Argentinian baked empanadas from The Perfect Empanada, Orisirisi flavorful gourmet pepper sauce, Hibiscus fruit spreads and sparkling drinks from Kassumay, Basil & Bunny prepared vegan egg salad, Hunky Dory pimento cheese, to Naked Fig Mediterranean hummus, nostalgic chocolate chip cookies from Mariiannas Cookies and Treats, and dozens more locally crafted foods from member businesses.

This unique concept is made possible with support from Papitto Opportunity Connection and Paolino Properties. Both organizations embraced Hope & Main’s mission to create more and equitable access for emerging food-preneurs of all means and backgrounds. Hope & Main estimates 40 percent of its entrepreneurs are people of color.

“Hope & Main plays a vital role in the emerging food economy of Rhode Island,’ said Barbara Papitto, founder and trustee of the Papitto Opportunity Connection. “By bringing its Makers Market alive in downtown Providence, Hope & Main is giving power to food-preneurs of color located in our state’s urban core. This new market provides critical exposure to food businesses at the time when they need it most.  The Papitto Opportunity Connection is pleased to support this important work.”

The food sector is one of Rhode Island’s largest sectors for economic output. Launching and supporting local food businesses, particularly in the Providence area has been a focus of Hope & Main as many makers come from the urban core. 

“I’m proud to be a supporter of Hope & Main and of the many ‘food entrepreneurs’ that go through their incubator program by providing a place for them to bring their products to market,” said Joseph R. Paolino Jr., CEO and Managing Partner of Paolino Properties. “I was thrilled to partner with the good people at the Papitto Foundation to help make this vision a reality. The Hope & Main Downtown Makers Marketplace will not only be a wonderful asset to our campus at 100 Westminster Street and for the people who come downtown to work every day, but it will be an opportunity to showcase our growing food economy to visitors to our city, train the next generation of hospitality workers, and spark new business development right here in Providence.” 

In the coming months, Hope & Main Makers Marketplace will continue to evolve to meet the needs of the Providence community. They plan to host events with guest chefs, maker tastings, pop-ups, and corporate catering.

Newport Restaurant Group Donates $60,750 to Local Nonprofits through 2022 Gift Card Donation Program

$2.00 from every gift card purchase in 2022 was donated to support the fight against food insecurity

RI Community Food Bank NRG Donation

Newport Restaurant Group (NRG), an award-winning collection of unique restaurants and hospitality venues located throughout Rhode Island and Massachusetts, is pleased to announce that it has donated $60,750 to local nonprofits that focus on food insecurity as a result of its annual, year-round gift card program. Through the program, $2.00 from every gift card purchase is donated to area non-profits with a mission toward fighting food insecurity. Since the program’s inception in 2019, more than $150,000 has been distributed to local agencies.  

“Every year, all our employee owners and I are grateful to our guests for their continued support of our gift card program,” said Paul O’Reilly, President and Chief Executive Officer, Newport Restaurant Group. “Each gift card order throughout the year allows us to continue to support organizations that provide help and hope to those experiencing food insecurity in our region.”

2022 recipients include the RI Community Food Bank, Hope’s Harvest RI, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center, and Aquidneck Community Table in Rhode Island and Brookline Food Pantry and The Food Project in Massachusetts. 

In addition to the financial support, NRG employee owners volunteer with these organizations throughout the year in a variety of ways, from collecting non-perishable food items for the RI Community Food Bank to preparing and serving dinners at the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center, to harvesting surplus fruits and vegetables at local farms that are distributed to hunger relief agencies through a partnership with Hope’s Harvest.

The 2023 gift card program is ongoing and gift cards can be purchased at any NRG property or online at www.newportrestaurantgroup.com. 

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Chair 2 Light Beers
farmsnewswine & drinks

News Bites: Chair 2 Launches Two New Flavors / New CCRI Environmental Degree Program / Granny Squibb’s Newest Flavor / Hope’s Harvest Joins Farm Fresh RI / Foolproof Brewing Company Joins Mission Beverage

by David Dadekian
written by David Dadekian

Current news releases—Eat Drink RI is not the source for these items—please follow any links for more information.

Chair 2 Light Beer Launches 2 New Light Flavors

Chair 2 Light Wheat and Light IPA – New 99 Calorie Offerings from Sons of Liberty

Chair 2 Light Beers
Chair 2 Light Beers

Chair 2 Light Beer, a brand by Rhode Island’s Sons of Liberty Beer & Spirits Co., is making waves with its two latest offerings – Chair 2 Light IPA and Chair 2 Light Wheat. The entire Chair 2 Light Beer line, including the light lager, is 4.3% abv, 99 calories per can, and available throughout Rhode Island.

The light IPA (55 IBUS) offers a bouquet of hop aromas followed by a bright and balanced flavor profile that gives IPA lovers what they’re looking for without weighing them down. The light wheat is brewed with orange peel to deliver a refreshing hit of citrus, but is careful not to be a fruit bomb, relying more on the beer itself to do the heavy lifting. 

“We’re very excited to see these two new flavors in everyone’s coolers,” said Bryan Ricard, Chair 2’s Brand Manager. “They definitely fall in line with our simple vision of ‘light beer that tastes like beer’.”

Chair 2 Light Lager, the flagship beer, was named USA’s Best Light Lager at the World Beer Awards in 2021, shortly after its launch. “We’ve taken the same approach with the new flavors as we did with the lager. That’s to make clean, crushable, high-quality beers that aren’t over the top, just easy-drinking,” explained Wil Santiago, Chair 2’s Beerologist. Rhode Islanders are catching on production of Chair 2 has increased to meet demand.

All 3 beers are brewed and packaged at Isle Brewers Guild (IBG) in Pawtucket, RI. “It was important for us to keep this in Rhode Island,” President and Founder, Mike Reppucci, explained, “and Isle has been an excellent partner.” IBG works with many well-established brands such as Narragansett and Night Shift. To follow the latest on and find retailers for Chair 2 Light Beer, visit chair2.com. Or follow on Facebook at Facebook.com/chair2beer and Instagram at @chair2beer.

New Associate degree program at CCRI in “Environment, Sustainability, and Management”

Innovative collaboration with Rhode Island Nursery & Landscape Association and Rhode Island Food Policy Council provides a clear path toward careers in RI’s growing land and sea industries

Environment, Sustainability and Management Associate Degree at CCRI, photo credit: RINLA
Environment, Sustainability and Management Associate Degree at CCRI, photo credit: RINLA

Rhode Island needs a workforce that can meet the current and future needs of the state’s flourishing land and sea businesses, which compose a sector that is quickly rising to the top of the state’s strongest economic drivers. 

A new associate degree in Environment, Sustainability, and Management created by the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) is a first-of-its-kind program that will prepare students for careers in these industries – including the landscape, farm and food sectors – and arm them with the perspective they need to meet social, economic, and ecological challenges of the world and of business today.

The development of this associate degree program was supported by a grant from the Agriculture Workforce Development Program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

“This new degree program is a perfect example of industry and policy leaders collaborating with higher education to design and implement an academic and career pathway that responds to labor market demands,” said Meghan Hughes, president of CCRI. “The green economy continues to show tremendous growth in Rhode Island, and CCRI, along with our partners at URI, RINLA, and RIFPC, is committed to providing high-quality, rigorous academic and experiential learning opportunities that will prepare Rhode Islanders for great careers right here in the Ocean State.”

This interdisciplinary program blends science and business; provides work-based learning opportunities for credit; includes courses in Business, Biology, Entrepreneurship, Oceanography, Geology, Economics, Chemistry, and Communications; and positions graduates to chart successful career paths and have important impacts on the social and environmental profiles of the companies for which they work. Graduates will have immediate career opportunities, and can also transfer seamlessly as juniors to the University of Rhode Island’s bachelor’s degree programs in Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems, Plant Sciences, and other programs in the College of the Environment and Life Sciences (CELS). 

“The new Environment, Sustainability, and Management degree will educate the next generation of professionals charged with stewarding, protecting, and responding to a changing environment and for producing food for our community,” said Rosemary A. Costigan, vice president for academic affairs at CCRI.  “In response to industry need, a number of our college’s faculty created new curricula based in science and business such as Biology of Trees and Shrubs, Food from the Sea, and the Human Environmental Impacts and Ethical Business Practices capstone course.”

The Rhode Island Nursery & Landscape Association (RINLA) and the Rhode Island Food Policy Council (RIFPC) collaborated closely with CCRI and advisors from URI to inform the development of this exciting program of study at the intersection of environmental, social, and economic sustainability; agriculture, food, and ecological systems; business ethics; entrepreneurial thinking and processes; land and resource management methods; and impacts of climate change on ecologies, businesses, and industries. 

Shannon Brawley, Executive Director of RINLA and Nessa Richman, Network Director of the RIFPC jointly stated, “This exciting new, interdisciplinary degree program will support the public, private, and nonprofit employers we serve by preparing people to enter these industries by ensuring they have relevant classroom experiences and work-based learning opportunities.” 

Fall classes start August 31, 2022. Enrollment is now open. All Rhode Islanders who want the knowledge, skills, perspective and experiences to impact the social, economic, and ecological challenges of today’s world are encouraged to register. Additional information can be found on CCRI’s website: ccri.edu/pathways/paths/environment

Granny Squibb’s Announces New Organic Iced Tea Flavor, Partnership, and Expansion in Massachusetts Just in Time for National Iced Tea Month

Granny Squibb’s is releasing Porter’s Peach with a portion of the proceeds going Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Jimmy Fund

Granny Squibb's Organic Iced Tea

Today, Granny Squibb’s Organic Iced Tea announced the release of its newest flavor, Porter’s Peach. Further solidifying their commitment to growth in New England with a portion of sales going to their newest philanthropic partner the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Jimmy Fund, and expansion into Roche Bros. 

“Porter’s Peach is the first new flavor we’ve brought to market since before the pandemic. It was created from a beautiful story, which continues our passion for storytelling and philanthropy,” said Kelley McShane, Partner and Owner of Granny Squibb’s. 

Porter’s Peach was the brainchild of a family friend, a twelve-year-old, named Porter from Aquidneck Island, R.I. In Spring 2020, in an effort to boost morale Porter sent a drawing of his idea for the “best Granny Squibb’s flavor, Porter’s Peach.” During the same year, Porter and his family faced multiple losses to cancer triggering Porter to raise $10,000 for cancer research and paving the way for Granny Squibb’s to work with Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Jimmy Fund to help continue Porter’s mission. 

“The story of Porter’s Peach and the generosity of Granny Squibb’s company touches us as an organization,” said Alexa Woodward, VP of Corporate Partnerships at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. “We know that we impact the lives of so many people right here in New England and beyond. It’s through the work of our supporters that we’re able to continue our mission of treating cancer and continuing to research and develop the latest in new treatments.”

Granny Squibb deeply believes in being part of the community, supporting the people around them. Having supported the Jimmy Fund for more than three years, the addition of Porter’s Peach provides the financial avenue to grow their philanthropy in Massachusetts and deepen partnerships as they grow into greater New England. 

The announcement of Porter’s Peach and the Dana Farber Cancer Institute couldn’t be timelier as Granny Squibb’s expands into all twenty Roche Bros stores in Massachusetts. Now consumers can easily purchase Granny Squibb’s products and know they are supporting local causes.

“At Roche Bros we are committed to providing our shoppers with an array of local and organic products to choose from making the addition of Granny Squibb’s a perfect fit. We are happy to be expanding our partnership with a company that also focuses on providing the best customer experience,” said Tristen Kendall-Barros, Vice President of Marketing for Roche Bros. 

Hope’s Harvest Joins Farm Fresh RI to Provide Hunger Relief Programming

Farm Fresh Rhode Island and Hope’s Harvest are proud to announce that as of June 2022, Hope’s Harvest is officially the home for all hunger relief programming at Farm Fresh RI. 

Hunger in Rhode Island is a significant problem that has only increased in severity and scope in recent years. At the same time, local food producers in the state have seen increased demand, but also volatility in markets and challenges due to erratic weather patterns, shifts in purchasing at a national scale, and other national and global forces. 

Farm Fresh RI, a nonprofit that’s been working to strengthen the local food system since 2004,  has been a champion for local farmers/producers and an infrastructural driver of a re-localizing food system over the past 18 years. Hope’s Harvest, a relative newcomer, has filled an important niche in the RI food system by connecting farmers to hunger relief agencies, promoting food security and non-traditional market access to the emergency food system. 

Hope’s Harvest has been an independent but fiscally sponsored program of Farm Fresh RI since 2018. This sponsorship enabled Hope’s Harvest to accept donations and grants under the Farm Fresh 501c3 nonprofit status. Farm Fresh mentored growth at Hope’s Harvest and provided infrastructure support, like trucks and cold storage, as well as a place to call home when the Hope’s Harvest team parked their trucks and came in from the field. 

“As our program grew, it became apparent that combining Hope’s Harvest and Farm Fresh models and infrastructure would best leverage our assets and public/private partnerships,” explains Hope’s Harvest Founder and Director Eva Agudelo. “Together we can create targeted solutions for both food insecurity and increasingly volatile markets for farmers. We’re excited about all of the collaborations to come — delivering the highest quality of locally grown food to hunger relief agencies and alleviating food insecurity in Rhode Island.”

What does this change mean for Hope’s Harvest? 
By joining Farm Fresh RI’s infrastructure, Hope’s Harvest is building capacity to deliver local gleaned produce to an additional 20 hunger relief agencies via Farm Fresh’s existing Market Mobile local food ordering service. The Hope’s Harvest team will also be administering the Senior Farmer Market Nutrition program and the Local Food Purchasing Assistance program in partnership with the RI Department of Environmental Management.

What does it mean for Hope’s Harvest gleaning volunteers? 
Out in the fields, the Hope’s Harvest team still aims to glean as much food this year as ever! They plan to harvest with even more local farms, and encourage the community to join them out in the fields this season. Learn more about opportunities to volunteer with Hope’s Harvest: www.farmfreshri.org/hopesharvest.

At a Glance: Hope’s Harvest for Hunger Relief at Farm Fresh RI
The Hope’s Harvest program at Farm Fresh RI will include: 

GLEANING 
— Recruiting and mobilizing volunteers to recover surplus food from farms for donation to hunger relief agencies.

DIRECT PURCHASING FOR HUNGER RELIEF
— Surplus Purchasing: Direct purchasing of surplus farm produce for distribution to hunger relief agencies and community partners.

— Contracts for Hunger Relief: Negotiating and administering contracts with growers to ensure a steady supply of fresh, nutritious produce for the emergency food system at competitive wholesale rates.

— Farm to Pantry via Market Mobile: A streamlined system and subsidized purchasing for community partners to order locally grown products for their guests. 

SENIOR FARMERS MARKET NUTRITION PROGRAM 
— Source and pack locally grown produce to meet the needs of older adults throughout RI in partnership with the RI Department of Environmental Management.

ADVOCACY AND PARTNERSHIPS 
— Working with strategic partners in the nonprofit and government sectors to ensure ongoing support for these initiatives as a commitment to supporting public infrastructure for healthy food access.

Foolproof Brewing Company is Now Distributed by Mission Beverage

As of June 2022 Foolproof Brewing Company is now being distributed in Rhode Island by new distributors in the business, Mission Beverage. Mission beverage was started by Kyle Michaud and Nate Costa. After meeting during a fire department fundraising event, Kyle and Nate bonded over their passion for craft beer and began brainstorming ways to collaborate together in the beer industry. Thus began their mission toward starting a distribution company. Mission Beverage officially moved their first case of beer in February 2022. Mission looks to bring the same tenacity to the brands they wish to distribute as they did when starting their business. “We take pride in our partnerships to help grow the brands to get from one level to the next level up,” says Nate Costa.

Foolproof Brewing Company signed with Mission Beverage as their new distributors in Rhode Island in June 2022. Along with this agreement, Mission will also be distributing Foolproof’s sister brands under the Brewery Collective. This includes Shebeen Brewing Company, originally started in Connecticut and moved production to Rhode Island in February. Soon to follow will be the Brewery Collective’s newest Connecticut brand, Velvet Libations, which just opened on St. Patrick’s Day of this year. “We’re focused on distributing in Rhode Island right now and bringing in brands that aren’t in Rhode Island yet.”, says Kyle Michaud, and Velvet Libations will be no exception.

Want to see Foolproof or Shebeen Brewing Company products near you? Contact Mission Beverage and support Rhode Island locally. Email: info@missionbev.co To learn more about the Brewery Collective, visit www.brewerycollective.com. To learn more about Mission Beverage visit www.missionbev.co.

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Sarto Restaurant in Providence, Rhode Island
chefs & restaurantsnewswine & drinks

News Bites: Sarto Reopens in Providence / Blackstone Valley Culinary News / Finback Brewery Whale Watching Festival

by David Dadekian
written by David Dadekian

Current news releases—Eat Drink RI is not the source for these items—please follow any links for more information.

Sarto Restaurant Opens With A Unique Approach To Italian Food In Providence

Sarto Restaurant in Providence, Rhode Island

One of Providence’s most celebrated restaurants, Sarto, located at 86 Dorrance St., has reopened. Winner of Wine Spectator’s 2021 Restaurant Award which honors the world’s best wine lists, Sarto is celebrating its long- awaited re-opening since closing due to COVID with a brand-new menu and a fresh take on “authentic” Italian. 

“In keeping with Italy’s authentic, old-world culinary traditions, we tried to approach our menu the same way an Italian chef opening a restaurant here in the US might,” states Sarto, Culinary Director, Gary Hatfield. 

“Sarto’s menu features dishes composed of fresh, locally sourced ingredients, that honor our region – but with a modern twist. 

Patrons can order a mix of regional Italian and New England inspired favorites like Zuppa di Vongole (clam soup) with sweet/spicy Italian sausage, potatoes, clams, baby kale, a touch of cream and served with house made focaccia bruschetta. For seafood lovers there is smoked mussel Cacio e Pepe made with local Atwells Gold Cheese and Cozze Al Diablo (locally sourced spicy mussels). Ragu d Coda di bue (Ragu of oxtail) which combines the rich flavor of braised oxtail and Italian sausage and 30-day aged bone in Ribeye served with Narragansett Bay Sea Salt broccolini, marble potatoes and Saba-Beef Jus are available for those seeking more substantial entrées. 

The dinner menu isn’t the only aspect of Sarto that is legendary. The space, which features an expansive bar, once housed an apothecary, money-to-loan business and later the Philip Wolfe Haberdasher, which inspired the name Sarto or tailor in Italian. There is also an open kitchen concept where patrons can enjoy the culinary team prepare Sarto’s menu items from scratch. 

In a whimsical nod to the restaurant’s roots, the drink menu features Big and Tall or higher alcohol drinks with bold flavors, Light and Layered drinks with lower alcohol and Petite non-alcoholic options. Beer and cider aficionados can enjoy High Limb Noble Series cider and other local draft brews.

“We’re thrilled to open our doors to new and loyal patrons again,” said Karsten Hart, COO for Sarto and parent company, G Hospitality. “We’ve been working hard during the pandemic to continue sourcing local foods and various ingredients to bring our guests the most innovative, delicious tasting dishes in the area,” he said.

Sarto Restaurant is open for dinner Wednesday – Sunday from 4pm-midnight. For more information, please call 401-270-0790 or visit www.sartoprovidence.com

Blackstone Valley Culinary News – April 26, 2022

Miller’s Tavern
48 School Street, Albion, RI  02802
401-353-0007
facebook.com/MillersCrossingRi/

Miller’s Tavern is open!  Stop in and welcome them to the Blackstone Valley.  Check out their menu:   Menu – page 1    Menu – page 2

Apothica
3 Dexter Street, Cumberland  02864
401-205-2063
Apothicaherbs.com

New Name!  Blackstone Herbs and Coffee at 3 Dexter Street (corner of Broad Street) in Cumberland is now Apothica.  Same great staff, friendly service and coffees, other beverages, herb shop, breakfast, lunch and dessert options – and 100% Vegan…just a new name that more accurately reflects what they offer.  Stop in and see what everyone has been talking about!

The Wright Scoop
Wright’s Dairy Farm & Bakery
200 Woonsocket Hill Road, North Smithfield, RI  02896
401-767-3014
wrightsdairyfarm.com

We’re all screaming for ice cream!   The Wright Scoop opens for the season on Thursday, May 5!   May hours in North Smithfield will be Thursdays and Fridays from 1 to 9 pm and Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 9 pm.  Here are a few “sneak peeks” of the flavors they will be offering:   Sneak Peek #1.    Sneak Peek #2.  

Rhode Island Spirits
59 Blackstone Avenue, Pawtucket  02860
401-856-4111
Rhodeislandspirits.com

There is always something happening at Rhode Island Spirits!  Here is the event line-up through May:  

Friday, April 29, 6-8 pm – Cheese and Cocktail Pairing.  Enjoy a flight of three cocktails and cheeses (from Edgewood Cheese Shop) that pair with them.  Tickets

Sunday, May 8, 1 to 5 pm – Mother’s Day Cocktails and Allie’s Donuts.  Bring mom for some donuts and a Boozy Coffee, Bloody Mary or a Mimosa. 

Friday, May 20, 6-7:30 pm – Distillery Trivia.  Get your team together!  Join RI Spirit’s first Trivia event to compete for a prize – a bottle of your choice or a $25 gift certificate!

Sunday, May 22, 1-6 pm – Game Day.  There will be all kinds of games available to play or you can bring your own group and own game to play while enjoying your favorite cocktail.  

Thursday, May 26, 6-8 pm – RI Spirits will host the next program in RI Historical Society’s “Drink in the History” event.  There will be a presentation by the founder of the Providence Jewelry Museum, Peter DiChristofaro, who will offer insights into Rhodium’s namesake.  There will be original pieces of jewelry on display.  Guests will be treated to a mini-flight of their craft-made liquor and a Tom Collins cocktail.  Light, local culinary fare will also be available.  Tickets

Friday, May 27, 6-8 pm – Distillery Bingo.  It’s free to join in, but come early to guarantee yourself a table!  Bingo cards and daubers will be provided and prizes will include merchandise, free cocktails, bottles of your favorite spirits and more!

blackie’s
280 George Washington Hwy., Smithfield, RI  02917
401-231-4777
Eatatblackies.com

Have you always wanted to know about eating gluten-free?  Now is your chance to learn from the best at blackie’s!  The team at blackie’s will be hosting a gluten-free gathering as Chef Angie will serve tastings from blackie’s new spring/summer menu.  It’s on Wednesday, May 4 at 6 p.m.  Limited tickets are available, so don’t wait:  Tickets to b. g-free

Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 8.  Take Mom out to one of our great Blackstone Valley restaurants!  Here are a few suggestions:   

Andrew’s Bistro
3755 Mendon Road, Cumberland, RI  02864
401-658-1515
Andrewsbistro.com

They’ll be serving their full menu plus specials for Mother’s Day from 12 noon to 4 pm.  Call the number above for your reservations.   

Mapleville Farm
544 Victory Highway, Mapleville, RI  02839
401-568-0544
MaplevilleFarm.com

Mapleville Farm is hosting their Mother’s Day Tea and Garden Luncheon again this year.  You’ll enjoy elegant sandwiches, soup and salads along with delicious fresh scones and pastries and homemade jams.  Of course, there will be tea and it will all be served in a setting surrounded by beautiful flowers. MENU There will be two seatings on Mother’s Day – 11:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.   Call them or go online to make your reservations before they sell out!   

Finback Brewery Announces Whale Watching On May 21, 2022

Inaugural festival to feature over 50 acclaimed breweries, timed “Whale Sightings” releases of rare beers, VIP-exclusive stouts, access to new merch, and more

Finback Brewery Whale Watching Festival 2022

Finback Brewery is pleased to announce the inaugural Whale Watching festival on Saturday, May 21 in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. Tickets are now available for purchase at the link here: https://whalewatching-2022.eventbrite.com.

Finback’s highly anticipated entry into the world of beer festivals is more than two years in the making. The event was originally slated for the spring of 2020, but it had to be postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic.

“We were certainly disappointed that we did not get a chance to host our very first Whale Watching festival two years ago, but it gave us time to really think about how to offer a unique and engaging experience for our guests when it was finally safe to gather,” says co-founder Basil Lee. “We are thrilled to have some of the best breweries in the country participate, and look forward to throwing a well-run and successful event for the beer community, who have shown us tremendous support through everything.”

Whale Watching attendees can enjoy delicious beers from a roster of over 50 acclaimed and exciting brewers from around the country, many of which have never been offered in the Ocean State before, including 3 Sons Brewing Co. in Dania Beach, Florida; Other Half Brewing in Brooklyn, New York; 450 North Brewing Company in Columbus, Indiana; Great Notion Brewing in Portland, Oregon; Horus Aged Ales in Oceanside, California; and Burial Beer Co.in Asheville, North Carolina. Many of these producers will be in person to serve their works, offering guests an opportunity to socialize with some of the industry’s most innovative and creative minds. Entertainment from DJ Chris Maestro of New York City’s popular beer and vinyl bar, Bierwax, and a selection of Rhode Island-based food vendors such as Ming’s Asian Street Food, PVDonuts, and TrapBoxPVD will also be available.

In a playful nod to the world of elusive, limited-edition beers, Finback will tap select breweries to release super small quantities of rare brews at specific times throughout the afternoon, billing them as Whale Sightings. There will be no need for a pair of binoculars to catch a glimpse of these special drops, promises Kevin Stafford, co-founder and brewmaster: “Just keep your eyes on the clock and have an empty glass ready.”

As the festival date nears, Finback plans to partner with several Rhode Island counterparts, including Narragansett and Long Live Beerworks, on collaboration beers. Finback is headquartered in New York, with locations in Glendale, Queens, and Gowanus, Brooklyn, but both Lee and Stafford are originally from the New England region—the former being a native of Rhode Island. “It is deeply important to us to host Whale Watching in our hometown, a place that is so influential in our personal stories as well as the brewery story,” Lee says. “We hope to start a rich tradition with this festival that beer fans can look forward to for years to come.”

Whale Watching will take place outdoors at 249 Roosevelt Avenue, overlooking the Blackstone River, and run from 1:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tickets cost $80 for General Admission and $180 for All Access, which includes early entry at 12:30 p.m., a special stemmed taster glass, and bottles of two limited-edition, barrel-aged imperial stouts created specifically for the event:

  • Whale Watching 2022: Banana Pie: Imperial stout with banana, vanilla, pudding, and ladyfingers, and aged in bourbon barrels
  • Whale Watching 2022: Coffee: Imperial stout with coffee syrup, coconut, caramel, and sea salt, and aged in bourbon barrels

For more information, please visit https://whalewatching-2022.eventbrite.com or follow us on Instagram (@finbackbrewery), Twitter (@finbackbrewery), and Facebook (facebook.com/finbackbrewery).

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Tacofied Food Truck
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News Bites: Blackstone Valley Culinary News / HG80 Changes to Tacofied

by David Dadekian
written by David Dadekian

Current news releases—Eat Drink RI is not the source for these items—please follow any links for more information.

Blackstone Valley Culinary Newsletter – March 7, 2022

Rhode Island Craft Beer Week
March 5-13, 2022

Plan to visit some of the many craft breweries in the Blackstone Valley that are planning events during RI Craft Beer Week, including Bravo Brewing Company (Pascoag), Foolproof Brewing Company (Pawtucket), Smug Brewing (Pawtucket) and The Guild (Pawtucket).  You’ll find more information about specific events at RI Craft Beer Week.  Don’t forget to download your RI Brewery Passport App to earn prizes for visiting RI Craft Breweries! 

Museum of Work and Culture
42 South Main Street, Woonsocket  RI  02895
401-769-9675
rihs.org/museums/museum-of-work-and-culture/

Don’t forget to participate in the 6th Annual Poutine Indulgence from March 1-31, 2022.  There will be 7 restaurants competing for the title of Best Poutine, including Adeline’s Speakeasy Kitchen Bar in Cumberland, Ciro’s Tavern in Woonsocket, Ming’s Asian Street Food in Pawtucket.  Get your Poutine Passport and sample poutine from the participating restaurants.  You’ll have until April 1 at midnight to vote for your favorite poutine.  The winner will be announced at the Museum’s annual Salute to Spring Event on Sunday, April 4.  Poutine Passports are available for $15 each or two for $25.  To get your Passport and to find out more details, including the participating restaurants, click HERE.   

White Dog Distilling
560 Mineral Spring Avenue
Pawtucket  02860
401-475-3789
White-dog-distilling.square.site

Don’t forget to get your tickets for the Rhode Island Historical Society’s “Drink in the History” series on Thursday, March 10 from 6 pm to 7 pm, featuring White Dog Distilling in Pawtucket.  Join Alecia Catucci, co-owner and co-founder of White Dog Distilling at this in-person event.  Check out the story from the Valley Breeze HERE.  Enjoy light culinary fare while you are welcomed with a craft-made White Dog mini-cocktail and then be taken through a flight of rum and moonshine tasting selections.  Then researchers Traci and Andrew will share the story of Eliza Granger, a female distiller in Providence in the early 19th century.  Get your tickets HERE

Munroe Dairy’s Sacred Cow Ice Cream Shop and Market
187 North Brow Street, East Providence  02914
401-537-4424
sacredcowicecreamshop.com/

Bring the kids to the EP Kids Teddy Bear Breakfast on Saturday, March 12, 2022 from 8:30 am to 11:30 am at the Phillips Street Hall, 51 North Phillips Street, East Providence.  They’ll be life-sized characters and lots of fun.  Stop by the Sacred Cow for tickets.  Click here for more information.  

Rhode Island Spirits
59 Blackstone Avenue, Pawtucket  02860
401-856-4111
Rhodeislandspirits.com

There’s always something going on at RI Spirits, including the newest addition to their event line up – the Magic of AcesWild on Saturday, March 26, 2022 from 6 to 8 pm.  AcesWild, aka Clarke Braudis, will perform for you at your table in the Tasting Room.  Cocktails will be available for purchase and there will be a limited snack menu – feel free to bring your own foods or snacks with you.  For tickets and more information, click HERE.   And for information on all the events happing in March at RI Spirits, click HERE.  

A & W Root Beer
460 Putnam Pike, Smithfield, RI  02828
401-949-9892
awrestaurants.com/aw-smithfield-ri

Spring must be coming because A & W Drive-In is opening on Saturday, March 12!  Go to their Facebook page for information on opening day specials, daily specials, family packs and coupons.  

Harvest Kitchen
2 Bayley Street, Pawtucket, RI  02860
401-335-3766
farmfreshri.org/programs/harvest-kitchen/

Harvest Kitchen’s Dinner-To-Go events have been so popular!  They are planning another for St. Patrick’s Day – Dinner for 2 for $40 and you have a choice of house-made corned beef (with local potatoes, carrots, onions, parsnips and cabbage with house-made grainy mustard) OR a vegan option(with local potatoes, carrots, onions, parsnips and mushrooms in a rich Irish Stout broth), both with a choice of bread and dessert (chocolate Guinness cupcakes).  Your must order by Friday, March 11 and pick-up is on March 17 from 10 am to 6 pm.  Click HERE to order. 

Mapleville Farm
544 Victory Highway, Mapleville, RI  02839
401-568-0544
MaplevilleFarm.com

Have you heard about the Breadbox Subscription at Mapleville Farm?  Read about the history of the Breadbox HERE.  Basically, it’s a subscription service you sign up for and every week you get delicious, fresh-baked bread.  The menu for the next 8-week session is:  March 12 – Potato Loaf; March 19 – Guinness Sourdough; March 26 – Garlic Breadsticks; April 2 – Spinach Loaf; April 16 – Hot Cross Buns; April 23 – Spring Hearth Loaf; and April 30 – Earl Grey & Lavender Loaf.  You must sign up by Thursday, March 10 to ensure your spot and a steady supply of delicious bread!  Click HERE for more information and to sign up.  And Mapleville Farm Bakery also has Irish Week Specials – Guinness Sourdough and Soda Bread, Shamrock Butter Cookies, Irish Cream Brownies and Soda Bread Muffins! 

Knights of Columbus
Pawtucket Councils

The Knights of Columbus in Pawtucket is offering Clam Cakes and Chowder (red or white) on Fridays during Lent (upcoming dates are March 11, 18, 25, April 1 and 8) from 5-7 pm.  Call in your order Monday through Friday before 5 pm and leave a message with your order, including whether your order is for pick-up or dine-in.  All proceeds will benefit Knights of Columbus charities.  Click HERE for more info.

HG80 Announces Name Change to Tacofied

Tacofied Food Truck

HG80, one of Rhode Island’s highest-rated food trucks, announces that the truck will now be known as Tacofied. The company revealed a new design for the truck, logo, and tagline “World Cuisine in a Tortilla,” created by Boston-based Garfinkle Design, as well as a new website (www.TACOFIEDTRUCK.com). The ownership and concept have not changed, and the truck will continue serving fan-favorite tacofieds like Fish ‘n’ Chips, BBQ, Greek Chicken Gyro, and Spring Roll, as well as its popular housemade chips, sodas, and seltzers.

The rebranding represents the evolution of the company and its vision for the future. “We’re focused on making our guests’ experience as easy, comfortable, and accessible as possible. We’re not your run-of-the-mill taco truck, and our old name – while personally significant – didn’t tell the whole story,” said Josh Berner, owner. “I’m excited that we’ve kept a hint of whimsy, and the Tacofied name, logo, and tagline clearly communicate what we do and who we are”.

“Every detail of the truck tells our guests that they’re getting something unique and special. We don’t have tacos — we make tacofieds!”

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