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News Bites: RI DEM Announces 2015 Outstanding Dairy Farm of the Year, Tickets Available for Rhode Island Round-Up Farm Dinners, 2015 Rhode Island BBQ Championships July 17-19

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.

Department Of Environmental Management Announces That Cottrell Homestead In West Kingston Has Been Named Rhode Island’s 2015 Outstanding Dairy Farm Of The Year

Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management

The Department of Environmental Management announces that Cottrell Homestead in West Kingston has been named Rhode Island’s 2015 Outstanding Dairy Farm of the Year by the Rhode Island Green Pastures Committee. Winning dairy farmers from each New England state will be honored at an awards banquet on September 18th at the Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield, MA.

The Rhode Island Green Pastures Committee chose the Cottrell Homestead because of its outstanding relationship with the community, its active involvement with the future viability of dairy farming in Rhode Island, and its continuing efforts to implement best management practices. During the past year many improvements were made at the farm; a new calf barn replaced the original barn that was built more than 70 years ago, the barn roof was shingled, and the milk room was completed. In 2004, improvements to the farm’s manure management system and water quality were made with funding from the US Department of Agriculture and DEM.

“The historic Cottrell Homestead in West Kingston is one of Rhode Island’s finest dairy farms and we are pleased that it has been selected for this special award,” said DEM Director Janet Coit. “The success enjoyed by the Cottrell family and other dairy farmers who produce local milk products is helping to protect and preserve hundreds of acres of farmland that will support continued agricultural endeavors for this and future generations to enjoy.”

The Cottrells were among the first farmers in Rhode Island to protect their farmland in perpetuity through the sale of development rights to the state in 1986. Five generations of the Cottrell family have farmed the Cottrell Homestead. The farm was started in 1900, when Oliver Cottrell’s grandfather bought and farmed the property. The property was subsequently farmed by Oliver’s father. The farm is currently operated by Oliver Cottrell and his sons, Matt and Glen, along with his daughter, Julie, and his grandchildren.

Cottrell Homestead maintains a milking herd of over 70 Ayrshires and Holsteins. Corn and hay silage is raised on the farm to feed the herd during the winter months. The Cottrells maintain a roadside stand for the sale of sweet corn and other vegetables.

The Cottrells are dedicated to helping maintain the future of dairy farming in Rhode Island beyond their own farm boundaries. As active members of the Rhode Island Dairy Farms Cooperative, they work with other dairy farms in the state to market their own milk under the “Rhody Fresh” label. Rhody Fresh milk is important to the viability of dairy farming in Rhode Island and has received grant funds from DEM and the Rhode Island Foundation. Milk sales remain strong and well beyond the original expectations of the dairy farmers.

“The RI Dairy Farms Cooperative believed that Rhode Island was thirsty for locally produced, fresh milk, and were they ever right! Their belief and hard work over the past decade has really paid off,” noted DEM Director Coit. “Today, Rhody Fresh is thriving and its many products can be found throughout the state in large grocery stores and small neighborhood markets, as well as restaurants, colleges and universities.”

For over 40 years the Cottrells have allowed 4-H members to manage animals for their 4-H projects so that future generations of children can learn where milk comes from and take responsibility for the care of animals. At the present time there are four 4-H members involved in management tasks on the farm. Many of those 4-H members who have been involved in farming at Cottrell Homestead in the past have advanced their careers in agriculture after graduating from college.

Farming is an integral part of the state’s economy and provides a valuable contribution to Rhode Island’s open space and quality of life. Beyond fresh and local produce, nursery stock, sod and Rhode Island’s own Rhody Fresh milk, in RI agriculture contributes $239 million annually to tourism, open space, landscaping businesses, and a variety of food-related industries. According to the 2014 update to URI’s Green Industry Economic Impact Study, the 3,327 green industry businesses in Rhode Island sustain 15,826 jobs and contribute $2.5 billion annually to our state’s economy.

The Outstanding Dairy Farm of the Year award is sponsored by the New England Green Pastures Committee, made up of agricultural interests such as state and federal agricultural offices and farm organizations. Membership in Rhode Island’s Green Pastures Committee is coordinated by the Rhode Island Agricultural Council and DEM’s Division of Agriculture. Other members include the Rhode Island delegation of the Rhode Island Dairy Farms Cooperative, the RI Farm Bureau, the RI Farm Service Agency and the Agri-Mark Cooperative. Recent winners of the long-standing award include Wrights Dairy Farm of North Smithfield (2014), Bailey Farm in East Greenwich (2013) and Escobar Farm in Portsmouth (2012).

Rhode Island Round-Up: Farm Dinner with Austin’s Eden East

Eden East, photo by D. Gentile

Eden East, photo by D. Gentile

Celebrated Austin, Texas farm-to-table restaurant Eden East, led by Owner and Executive Chef Sonya Coté—a Rhode Island native—is traveling to the east coast for this exclusive dinner series hosted by Horseshoe Farm, a private estate surrounded by miles of fences along the coastal countryside in Westerly, RI.

PURCHASE TICKETS

The acclaimed Austin eatery brings its exquisite dining experience easterly, merging its bold Texas flavors and ingredients with local products from New England farmers and purveyors, including Blackbird Farm, Walrus and Carpenter Oysters, Jonathan Edwards Winery, Revival Brewing Company and more.

Rhode Island Round-Up Menu

The Rhode Island 3-Way
Walrus and Carpenter Oyster Raw | grapefruit & cucumber mignonette
Oysters “Bootlegged” | cornmeal, dry cured sausage aioli, garlic chives
Grilled Oysters on the Half Shell | holy trinity, filé, chocolate roux
paired with a cocktail from Texas-based Deep Eddy Vodka

Lobster Tacos | summer slaw, Texas corn tortillas, avocado creme fraiche
paired with Jonathan Edwards Winery Lodi Zinfandel

Chipotle Clam & Mussel Chowder | seafood fumet, glen’s smoked chili flake, red potato, carrot, ancho tomato, zucchini clam cakes
paired with Revival Brewing Company beer

Grilled Red Shrimp & Grits | red eye gravy, pork belly, melted leeks
paired with Jonathan Edwards Winery Estate Connecticut Chardonnay

Texas BBQ Smoked Briskets | escabeche, whole grilled green onions, house made BBQ sauce
Corn in the Husk | jalapeno & cilantro compound butter, queso cotija
paired with Revival Brewing Company beer

Texas Toast French Toast | Sweet Corn & Chili Gelato, lime zest
paired with Jonathan Edwards Winery Estate Connecticut Gewürztraminer

menu subject to change

Produced by Eat Drink RI and sponsored by The Haversham Restaurant, the Eden East “Rhode Island Round-Up” will recreate the unequaled dining experience that the restaurant provides guests each weekend on the grounds of Austin’s Springdale Farm. Eden East will donate a percentage of sales from the dinners to Colors for a Cause RI, a non-profit organization that supports families with children suffering from cancer.

PURCHASE TICKETS

Read the full release for more details about Eden East and Chef Sonya Coté.

Each evening begins with a reception at 6 p.m. followed by a seated dinner paired with wine & beer. Tickets are $150.00 per guest, all-inclusive, and are non-refundable, but are transferable. The event is tented and will be held rain or shine.

Rhode Island Round-Up

4th Annual Rhode Island BBQ Championships to be held at the South County Hot Air Balloon Festival, July 17-19

BBQ CompetitorsWinners of the 4th Annual Rhode Island BBQ Championship will be decided on Sunday, July 19, providing a tasty finale to the 37th Annual South County Hot Air Balloon Festival sponsored by the Rotary Club of Wakefield at the URI Athletic Fields in Kingston, RI from July 17 through 19.

The competition is sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbeque Society and has been proclaimed by the Rhode Island Governor as the official state BBQ championship. Now in its fourth year, the competition has annually attracted upwards of 50 teams from throughout the United States, as well as some from Canada and as far away as the United Kingdom. Many KCBS certified judges also travel to South County each year to enjoy this event. At the awards ceremony scheduled for Sunday at 3:00 p.m., $4,100 in cash prizes, as well as trophies, will be presented to the top ten winners in each of four designated KCBS categories for chicken, pulled pork, ribs, and brisket. Participation in the Rhode Island competition counts as an “auto-qualifier” for “The Jack”, a national championship held at Jack Daniels Hollow in Lynchburg, Tenn., each October.

Three BBQ vendors, one each from Florida, Vermont and Rhode Island, will provide visitors the chance to enjoy the varied tastes of BBQ selections in the large food tent during all three days of the Festival.

From Friday, July 17 through Sunday, July 19, the 37th Annual South County Hot Air Balloon Festival is an iconic event in southern Rhode Island every summer. Colorful hot air and shaped balloons, musical performances, fireworks, carnival rides, food vendors, classic cars, free train rides & fishing pond for the kids, arts & craft vendors, the Flying Wallendas, and much more make this a popular family-oriented event every summer. Balloons are scheduled to inflate on Friday & Saturday evenings at dusk and Saturday & Sunday mornings at dawn, weather permitting. Tethered rides will be available. Hours are Friday, 4-9 p.m.; Saturday 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sunday 11:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for children 14 & under, and $25 for families. Parking is free and RV camping is available onsite. Proceeds from the Balloon Festival support the Rotary Club’s scholarship and charitable programs in the local communities. The schedule of events and other Festival details are available at www.southcountyballoonfest.com.

Registration forms for the BBQ competition teams and judges are available at the Festival website, www.southcountyballoonfest.com, or by contacting Rotarian and event organizer Bud Faria at budfaria@yahoo.com, or by calling 401-789-3902.

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2015 Local Agriculture and Seafood Act (LASA) Grant Recipients Announced

by David Dadekian
written by David Dadekian

2015 Local Agriculture and Seafood Act (LASA) Grant Recipients Announced

Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management

The Department of Environmental Management (DEM) and the Rhode Island Food Policy Council (RIFPC) announce the 2015 recipients of the Local Agriculture and Seafood Act (LASA) Grants Program. A total of $210,000 is being awarded this year to 15 recipients, including $20,000 to be used by DEM and the RI Seafood Marketing Collaborative for a statewide local seafood promotion campaign.

“Rhode Islanders are eager to grow, eat and promote local food,” said DEM Director Janet Coit, who recognized the award recipients at the annual Rhode Island Agriculture Day celebration, held today at the State House. “This initiative is one of many efforts taken by DEM to enhance our state’s food economy and the economic competitiveness of Rhode Island-grown agricultural products and local seafood.”

“The LASA grant program is an important step forward in Rhode Island toward building a vibrant local food economy in relation to farming and fishing. It involves a unique and forward-thinking partnership between DEM, the RIFPC and other important non-profits that are committed to building a local, sustainable food system in Rhode Island,” said Ken Ayars, chief of the Division of Agriculture, who served as chair of the LASA Grants Advisory Committee.

The Local Agriculture and Seafood Act of 2012 established a grants program within DEM’s Division of Agriculture to support the growth and marketing of local food and seafood in the state. The LASA Grants Program was made possible by a unique and unprecedented public-private partnership with $100,000 in funding from the State of Rhode Island and $110,000 in funds from the van Beuren Charitable Foundation, the Henry P. Kendall Foundation and the Rhode Island Foundation. DEM coordinated with the RIFPC to administer the LASA Grants Program.

Rhode Island Food Policy Council

“Big changes are often accomplished by smaller incremental changes sustained over time. That’s the promise the LASA small grants program holds: funding that is incremental, manageable and can be productively absorbed into a growing local food sector. The LASA grants program is a multifaceted partnership, and the RI Food Policy Council is thrilled to be a part of this unique and much needed public-private partnership. Our congratulations go to the grantees and the applicants: it is their work on the ground and on the water that is moving Rhode Island in the right direction,” said Kenneth Payne, Chair, RIFPC.

“It is a privilege to partner with the many talented food, agriculture and seafood leaders across public and private sectors in Rhode Island. Together we are creating the foundation for a more resilient food system and local economy,” said Courtney Bourns, senior program officer at the Henry P. Kendall Foundation.

President and CEO of the Rhode Island Foundation Neil Steinberg said, “This program provides invaluable seed capital for local businesses. We’re very pleased to join with the state and other foundations to strengthen Rhode Island’s food system and economy.”

“The LASA grants illuminate the entrepreneurial spirit and economic opportunity in Rhode Island’s agricultural and seafood industries,” said Elizabeth Lynn, Executive Director, van Beuren Charitable Foundation.

The LASA Grants Program Advisory Committee, established to advise and assist DEM in matters related to the LASA Grants Program, received, reviewed and scored 73 applications totaling $1,025,993 in requested funds for this second year of the grants program.

The 2015 grant recipients are as follows:

$20,000 for the DEM and RI Seafood Marketing Collaborative’s statewide seafood branding and marketing campaign;

$17,165 to the African Alliance of Rhode Island in Providence to support the efforts of immigrant and refugee farmers to acquire more growing space, increase crop production to meet growing demand for ethnic specialty crops, and improve marketing expertise and consumer education;

$13,000 to Big Train Farm in Cranston to increase community-supported agriculture (CSA) membership among Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients in Rhode Island through targeted outreach and collaboration with community organizations and the purchase of a larger-capacity market vehicle;

$6,973 to Blue Skys Farm in Cranston to build a professional drying room that will increase production of dried crops (including culinary, medical/tea herbs, flowers and hot peppers) and reduce drying times, creating new sales channels and increasing wholesale demand;

$13,406 to Brian Pinsky, Matt Behan, Jim Arnoux, Jules Opton-Himmel, and Dr. Michael Rice in Charlestown to study seasonal and tidal variation in food levels and observe the growth and condition index of oysters being cultivated by six oyster farmers in Ninigret Pond;

$7,600 to the City of Providence’s Healthy Communities Office to research and develop a Farmer’s Guide to detail regulatory, zoning, and permitting requirements related to on-site farm sales in Providence and develop marketing and outreach materials for a new urban farm stand in Providence;

$16,432 to Eating with the Ecosystem in Warren to work with the Rhode Island Community Food Bank to get local Rhode Island seafood into Rhode Island’s food pantry distribution system through an experimental pilot project focused on distribution and education around low-value seafood;

$9,464 to Elizabeth McDonnell and Michael de Cruz in Providence to build the infrastructure for small-scale, artisan sea salt production in Rhode Island, focusing on the unique and uniquely varied waters of the Narragansett Bay;

$15,442 to Indie Growers in Bristol to build a solar heating system to provide radiant heat to the floor of an existing 12′ x 30′ high tunnel, enabling production of micro-greens and other unique specialty crops during winter months;

$18,000 to the Northern RI Area Health Education Center in Woonsocket to support the Rhode Island Hospital Local Foods Challenge, a program to galvanize three Rhode Island hospitals to support the state’s food producers and fishermen through increased institutional purchasing;

$10,700 to the Rhode Island Shellfishermen’s Association to produce an educational video on how to become a commercial shellfisherman in Rhode Island and create an apprenticeship program to match Rhode Islanders with professional shellfishermen, with the goal of engaging youth and young people in the shellfishing sector;

$20,000 to the South County Food Co-op in South Kingstown for the South County Farm to Market Initiative, expanding farmer access to the Co-op’s certified commercial kitchen to prepare foods for wholesale sales, and enabling local farmers to serve more CSA customers through the Co-op;

$13,728 to the Local Catch in Charlestown to establish a fish-smoking operation specifically utilizing RI-landed seafood, with an emphasis on increasing sales of underutilized species which are landed in high volume at the Point Judith port but have had weak consumer demand;

$8,090 to Thundermist Health Center in South Kingstown to institute SNAP and credit card access, as well as SNAP and WIC incentives at a minimum of three farmers’ markets in Washington County;

$20,000 to Tilted Barn Brewery in Exeter to make improvements to the barn brewery, expand hop production, and host a workshop during the hop harvest to provide information to other farmers in RI who are interested in growing crops to support the expanding craft beer industry, or plan to start their own farm brewery; and

$20,000 to Wild Harmony Farm in Exeter to purchase an insulated trailer with freezer compressor and generator to enable the transportation of frozen meat from certified butchers back to farms, as well as the transport of whole animal carcasses from the slaughterhouse directly to local restaurants utilizing whole animals.

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News Bites: Bottles Fine Wine Begins Drizly Home Delivery, Harvesting Rhode Island Premieres on RI PBS, JWU Student Fellowship Award

by David Dadekian
written by David Dadekian

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

A Superior Way To Shop For Beer, Wine And Liquor Launches In Providence As Drizly Continues U.S. Expansion

With the city’s biggest selection and best prices, now all delivered in less than an hour at the touch of a button, the Joy of Drinking has arrived in Providence

Drizly, the technology company powering a superior shopping experience for beer, wine and liquor, today announced its expansion to Providence, RI. Now, legal-age drinkers in Providence can experience “The Joy of Drinking” from their smartphone or desktop, shopping from the city’s biggest selection and best prices on alcohol, all delivered in less than an hour at the touch of a button.

Orders placed through Drizly are fulfilled through a strategic partnership with local retailer Bottles Fine Wine, considered the elite brick-and-mortar retail liquor store in Providence.

“The ‘Joy of Drinking’ is when the best selection, price and merchandising meets speed and convenience,” said Bryan Goodwin, VP of sales and retail partnerships for Drizly. “Combining Drizly’s technology and delivery framework with Bottles’ price and selection will create a superior way to shop for beer, wine and liquor in Providence. We are really excited to help an elite retailer like Bottles extend their retail business all the way to the Providence’s front door.”

Areas in Providence where Drizly is now available to consumers and businesses include the East Side, College Hill, Fox Point, Downcity, Jewelry District, Federal Hill, West Side, Armory District, Oak Hill, Rumford and East Providence. Additional areas will be added and announced as they become available.

“GET THE DOOR. IT’S THE LIQUOR STORE!”

Legal-age drinkers in Providence simply download the free Drizly app on their smartphone or visit Drizly.com. There, they will find a shopping experience that is informative, customized and fun, with Bottles’ huge selection and great prices elegantly integrated with Drizly’s rich content and personalized recommendations, as well as innovations consumers have come to expect from on-demand companies like Amazon, Netflix and Uber.

Drizly also lets consumers schedule alcohol deliveries when it is most convenient for them, earn valuable rewards on purchases, or easily send the gift of alcohol to friends, family and colleagues of legal drinking age.

FREE DELIVERY THROUGH MARCH 31

As a special welcome to new users in Providence, Drizly is offering free delivery (a $5 value) on all orders through March 31 with the promo code PROVIDENCE. For these types of promotions and more, residents of Providence are encouraged to follow @DrizlyPROVI on Twitter.

“Delivering the best possible service to our community is incredibly important to us,” said Gil MacLean, Bottles’ owner. “With Drizly, we’re able to safely, responsibly and effectively meet the needs of our customers who prefer the convenience of shopping online. We’re really happy to be working with Drizly and know that their proven track record of success across the country will help us continue to deliver excellent customer service here in Providence.”

ABOUT DRIZLY

Drizly is a technology company powering a superior shopping experience for beer, wine and liquor. Combining the best selection and price, content-rich and personalized shopping experiences, and the speed and convenience of on-demand delivery, Drizly delivers “The Joy of Drinking” to legal-age drinkers across the United States. Backed by a world-class group of angel and institutional investors, the company has raised $4.8 million to become a superior place to shop for beer, wine and liquor in Austin, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Indianapolis, Los Angeles, New York City, Providence, Seattle, Washington D.C., and other cities across the United States. For more info, visit www.drizly.com.

ABOUT BOTTLES FINE WINE

Bottles Fine Wine is an award-winning shop in Providence, RI, offering the best selection of fine wine, artisanal spirits and craft beer, and staffed by a friendly, passionate team of beverage enthusiasts. Founded in 2010, Bottles is a full-service destination store that provides free weekly events, custom engraved bottles, gift baskets, monthly clubs, in-home tastings and in-state delivery. We are located at 141 Pitman Street on the East Side of Providence. For more information please visit www.bottlesfinewine.com.

AVAILABLE ON iPHONE, ANDROID AND WEB

HOW DRIZLY WORKS

  1. Download Drizly to your iPhone or Android phone, or log on to Drizly.com.
  2. Sign up and add your favorite beer, wine and liquor to your cart.
  3. Check out, enter discount codes, pay and tip your driver, all right from Drizly.
  4. In less than one hour, your alcohol will be delivered.

 

DEM’S Division of Agriculture Announces Upcoming TV Series About Farming in Rhode Island to Air on RI PBS Starting March 22

Project was funded by a DEM Farm Viability Grant

The Department of Environmental Management announces that “Harvesting Rhode Island,” a five-part pilot television series promoting Rhode Island-grown specialty crops, will air on RI PBS beginning this Sunday, March 22. Funding for the project was provided through a $35,000 farm viability grant from DEM to Alex Caserta, executive producer of the series. Caserta developed the series in cooperation with RI PBS and the RI Nursery and Landscape Association to promote Rhode Island specialty crop growers and educate consumers about locally-grown specialty crops.

“Be sure to tune in and watch Harvesting Rhode Island on RI PBS,” said DEM Director Janet Coit. “This informative series brings viewers on location to see the farms, meet the farmers, and hear them talk about food cultivation and what it takes to grow the fruits, vegetables, tree nuts and nursery crops that are in demand by Rhode Island consumers.”

Harvesting Rhode Island explains how farmers have had to balance the traditional approaches that were handed down to them with the variable realities of today’s business climate. In the latter part of the 20th century, local wholesale markets began to shrink due to large retailers and national distribution systems. As a result, growers increased their direct marketing through on-site retail stands, pick-your-own programs, farmers markets, and selling through local retailers. This direct approach has, in turn, stimulated diversification to satisfy the needs and tastes of consumers and their interest in purchasing locally-harvested products.

DEM’s Division of Agriculture oversees or supports numerous efforts designed to maintain the viability of farming in Rhode Island, including locally-produced milk, meats and locally-harvested seafood, farmers’ markets, and buy local programs. To date, DEM has awarded more than $1.8 million in farm viability grants for projects that will enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops grown in Rhode Island. The funds are from the US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Specialty Crop Block Grant program. Specialty crops are defined by this federally-supported program as fruits and vegetables, dried fruit, tree nuts, and nursery crops including floriculture and turf grass production.

“This series will help strengthen markets for specialty crops and help sustain the livelihood of Rhode Island farmers, so it’s a win-win for consumers and farmers alike,” Director Coit added.

Episodes will air two at a time in the ongoing series, Rhode Island Stories, Sundays at 6 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., beginning March 22. The five episodes will air as follows:

  • Farm to Table – Owners Desi and Eric Wolf of Maple Dell Farm in Foster also own Loie Fuller’s restaurant in Providence, established in 2007. Some of the local ingredients they use come from the Rhode Island Mushroom Co. in Kingston, established in 2011 and owned by Mike Hallock and Bob Di Pietro.

Rhode Island PBS                3/22/2015      6:00 PM
Rhode Island PBS                3/28/2015      11:00 PM
LEARN                                3/24/2015      8:00 PM

  • Grape Expectations – Carolyn’s Sakonnet Vineyards is the oldest vineyard in New England, located in Little Compton, and owned by Carolyn Rafaelian. Greenvale Vineyards is located in Portsmouth along the Sakonnet River, a historic farm owned by Nancy Parker Wilson. The farm was established in 1863 and vineyards in 1982.

Rhode Island PBS                3/22/2015      6:30 PM
Rhode Island PBS                3/28/2015      11:30 PM
LEARN                                3/24/2015      8:30 PM

  • Farming Old, Farming New – Wayne Salisbury is the 5th generation owner of Salisbury Farm in Johnston, growing a wide selection of products. Established in 1860, Big Train Farm is owned by John Kenny and leases the land from Urban Edge Farm located in Cranston.

Rhode Island PBS                3/29/2015      6:00 PM
Rhode Island PBS                4/4/2015        11:00 PM
LEARN                                3/31/2015      8:00 PM

  • A Tale of Three Nurseries– Portsmouth Nursery, located in Portsmouth, is a 4th generation business. Owners Jean and Steve Cotta’s relatives emigrated from Portugal. Their farm was established in the late 1800s and is one of the oldest nurseries in the country. Rhode Island Nurseries in Middletown is owned by 4th generation Bruce Vanicek and was established in 1885. His relatives migrated from Czechoslovakia. Hoogendoorn Nurseries, established in Middletown in 1921, is owned by 2nd generation Dixon and Victor Hoogendoorn, whose parents emigrated from Holland.

Rhode Island PBS                3/29/2015      6:30 PM
Rhode Island PBS                4/4/2015        11:30 PM
LEARN                                3/31/2015      8:30 PM

  • Farm City – Southside Community Land Trust is located in Providence and was established in 1981. Steward Richard Pederson works with a staff and crew of volunteers. Fertile Underground, located in Providence on Westminster Street, is a grocery store run by Michael Giroux selling local natural products.

Rhode Island PBS                4/5/2015        6:00 PM
Rhode Island PBS                4/11/2015     11:00 PM
LEARN                                4/7/2015       8:00 PM

WSBE Rhode Island PBS transmits standard-definition (SD) and high-definition (HD) programming over the air on digital 36.1; on Rhode Island cable: Cox 08 / 1008HD, Verizon FiOS 08 / 508HD, and Full Channel 08; on Massachusetts cable: Comcast 819HD and Verizon FiOS 18 / 518HD; on satellite: DirecTV 36 / 3128HD, Dish Network 36 / 7776.
WSBE Learn transmits over the air on digital 36.2; in Rhode Island on Cox 808; Verizon FiOS 478; Full Channel 89; and in Massachusetts on Comcast 294 or 312.

Nightclub & Bar Media Group Selects Winners for the Johnson & Wales Student Fellowship Award

Unique Award Recognizes and Supports Students Interested in a Career in the Hospitality Industry

Nightclub & Bar is honored to congratulate three students for winning the Johnson & Wales Student Fellowship. After receiving an overwhelming amount of applications this year, Nightclub & Bar is excited to extend the award to an additional applicant, making for three winners. This year’s winners are Michael Taberski, Nicholas Zamora, and Peter Waite. Each of them displayed a level of knowledge, professionalism, and motivation that proved that their participation in the Nightclub & Bar Show this year would benefit their understanding of the industry.

“Three of our applicants stood out from this year’s excellent group. We are grateful to Nightclub & Bar for offering to increase the number of fellowships from two to three, allowing us to reward all three of these exceptional candidates,” said Brian J. Warrener, Associate Professor at Johnson & Wales University.

Each of the fellows will be provided admission to the Nightclub & Bar Convention and Trade Show in Las Vegas, Nevada with three nights lodging and a $400.00 stipend to defray the costs of travel and expenses. The selected Student Fellows will also be featured on Nightclub.com and will be celebrated during an awards ceremony at the upcoming 2015 Nightclub & Bar Convention and Trade Show, March 30 – April 1.

In order for eligibility, students had to be 21 years of age at the beginning of the Convention and Trade show in order to attend the event. Each applicant had to have a junior or senior standing with an average GPA of 3.0 or higher within the Johnson & Wales School of Hospitality. Michael, Nicolas, and Peter had an exceptional educational background in the food and beverage industry and demonstrated that their participation at the show would be leveraged.

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News Bites: Local Agriculture and Seafood Act Grant Program Public Hearing, Tallulah on Thames Burgers BBQ & Sunday Suppers, Providence Chefs & Bartender to Represent at StarChefs in N.Y.

by David Dadekian
written by David Dadekian
Chef Derek Wagner Part of a Group of 5 Culinary Professionals Representing Providence at the StarChefs.com International Chefs Congress

Chef Derek Wagner Part of a Group of 5 Culinary Professionals Representing Providence at the StarChefs.com International Chefs Congress

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

Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management Division of Agriculture
Notice of Public Meeting for October 29, 2014, 3:30 PM

Notice is hereby given that a public hearing regarding the Local Agriculture and Seafood Act (LASA) Small Grants and Technical Assistance Program will be held in Room 300 of the RI Department of Environmental Management, at 235 Promenade Street, Providence, Rhode Island on Wednesday, October 29th at 3:30 pm.

The purpose of this hearing is to accomplish the purposes of RIGL 2-25-8 which requires the Department to annually schedule and conduct one or more public meetings to solicit input from the general public on whether the program is meeting its intended purposes, and to solicit recommendations for modifying the program.

AGENDA:

  1. General overview of the program (Ken Ayars, DEM)
  2. Grant round #1 overview (Leo Pollock, RI Food Policy Council)
  3. Group breakouts
    • Discussion relative to 2015 round #2 priorities
    • Discussion relative to outreach strategy for 2015 round #2
  4. Wrap up & next steps (Ken Ayars & Leo Pollock)

Written comments are welcome and may be emailed to LASA@dem.ri.gov or mailed to/dropped off at the Division of Agriculture office at 235 Promenade Street, Providence, RI 02908 until Wednesday, November 12th at 4:00 pm. Email submissions are strongly preferred. All oral and written comments will be considered in the same manner.

MEETING LOCATION:

RI DEM at The Foundry, Room 300
235 Promenade Street, Providence, RI 02908

NOTES: If you have questions or need additional information, please contact Ken Ayars, Chief, Division of Agriculture, 222-2781 ext. 4500, ken.ayars@dem.ri.gov, or Nicole Pollock, Assistant to the Director, 222-4700 ext. 2038, nicole.pollock@dem.ri.gov.

The meeting location is accessible to handicapped persons. If you require interpreter services for the hearing impaired, please request by contacting TDD number 222-1205 or #711 (R.I. Relay), at least 3 days in advance of the meeting.

 

Newport’s Tallulah on Thames
BBQ, Burgers + Beer Wednesdays and Sunday Suppers

BBQ, BURGERS + BEER
Every Wednesday….
Starting October 22nd thru the end of December….
Tallulah’s Team is serving up its infamous
Blackbird Farm Burgers, “The Classic” or “The Tallulah”
along with a new soon to be staple,
Chef Jake’s home-style BBQ plate!
Check it out and grab some grub only on Wednesday’s at Tallulah!

SUNDAY SUPPERS
Pre-Fixe (set) 3-course menu
$35.00/person (includes a glass of wine)
Every Sunday starting November 2nd thru the end of December
is our homage to American + Ethnic classic family suppers.
Our regular tasting menu is offered too!

For reservations to BBQ, Burgers + Beer or Sunday Suppers call 401-849-2433. Tallulah on Thames is at 464 Thames St., Newport, RI 02840.

Five Providence Chefs and Mixologists to Represent Providence
At StarChefs International Chefs Congress in New York

Four local chefs and one local mixologist have been tapped by StarChefs.com, a prestigious culinary media group that targets industry professionals, to represent Providence at the 9th Annual StarChefs International Chefs Congress in Brooklyn, New York from Oct. 26-28.

Representing the city will be:

  • Jay Carr of The Eddy;
  • Melissa Denmark of Gracie’s and Ellie’s Bakery;
  • James Mark of North;
  • Jake Rojas of Tallulah’s Taqueria;
  • Derek Wagner of Nick’s on Broadway.

All five will be part of the Congress Cocktail event on Monday, Oct. 27. Carr will be demonstrating and providing samples of his “Orange Julius Caesar,” while the four chefs will be preparing samples of the following dishes:

  • Melissa Denmark
    Juniper Pavlova, Hojicha Chocolate Pudding, Autumn Olives, Toasted Almonds, and Honey
  • James Mark
    Salt Pond Oysters with Preserved Tomato Vinegar
  • Jake Rojas
    Aquidneck Island Blue Fish Tacos
  • Derek Wagner
    Point Judith Fluke, Sweet Potato, Cranberry, and Cider.

Additionally, Mark will be alongside such culinary luminaries as Marcus Samuelsson for a panel discussion on “The New Chef and a Call to Community.”

“One of the major reasons we were just voted ‘America’s Favorite City’ in Travel + Leisure’s recent poll, is because of the strength of our culinary offerings,” said Martha Sheridan, president and CEO of the Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau, which is coordinating the trip. “We are proud to have such excellent representation of our city and are thankful to our delegation for giving up their time to come with us to New York.”

The Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau is an accredited, 501(c)(6) nonprofit organization whose mission is to create vibrant growth for the local hospitality economy by promoting, developing, and expanding a united visitor industry. For more information, contact 401-456-0200 or visit www.GoProvidence.com.

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