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Sons of Liberty Spirits Co. Flavored Whiskies
chefs & restaurantscookingnewswine & drinks

News Bites: New Sons of Liberty Flavored Whiskies / Anchor & Hope Wins Four Awards / RI Seafood Launches New Site and App / Help Giusto Donate Lasagnas / Neon Marketplace Opens in Providence

by David Dadekian December 7, 2022
written by David Dadekian

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


Sons of Liberty Launches New Flavored Whiskey Line

Rhode Island’s Sons of Liberty Introduces 4 Flavored Whiskies – Maple, Honey, Apple, Coffee

EDITOR’S NOTE: Sons of Liberty Spirits Co. was kind enough to provide samples so there’s already an Eat Drink RI Tasting video on YouTube for you to view: https://youtu.be/z8kWdDHfmuI

Sons of Liberty Spirits Co. has released a new line of flavored whiskies that are now available throughout Rhode Island and select stores in Massachusetts; the four year-round flavors are Maple, Honey, Apple, and Coffee. The 750ml, 70 proof offerings are all crafted with real ingredients and are on store shelves for a suggested retail price of just $29.99. This line release comes on the heels of Sons of Liberty’s recent brand-refresh after nearly 11 years in business.

Sons of Liberty is no stranger to flavored whiskey having produced various award-winning flavors dating as far back as 2012. Their most notable awards include World’s Best Flavored Whiskey, Best Flavored Whiskey in North America (both awarded by Whisky Magazine’s World Whiskies Awards) and a handful of gold medals from prestigious competitions. 

“We’re really excited with how these turned out,” said Sons of Liberty’s President and Founder, Mike Reppucci. “You don’t feel like your teeth are coated in sugar after enjoying them.” Contrary to some other flavored spirits in the market, Sons of Liberty prides itself on using real ingredients to flavor their whiskies, no chemicals or flavor substitutes. Real honey, real maple syrup, real apples, and real coffee beans. “It just tastes better that way.” Mike explained.

The flavors themselves provide for many ways of enjoyment. “They’re very versatile whiskies,” said Rachael Soderberg of the Product Development Team. “Delicious on their own or with an ice cube since they aren’t overly sweet, but also excellent in fun cocktails since the whiskey itself can hold its own.” The team at Sons of Liberty has numerous cocktail recipe suggestions on their website (https://www.drinksol.com/cocktails).

Sons of Liberty has already shipped a second batch to market and are currently working on a third as the initial response has been very positive. To find retailers near you for any of Sons of Liberty’s flavored whiskies, visit https://www.drinksol.com/where-to-buy. Or order ahead and pick up at Sons of Liberty’s retail shop (tasting room remains closed): http://shop.drinksol.com

Please check out the Eat Drink RI Tasting video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/z8kWdDHfmuI


Anchor & Hope Wins Four Awards at Boston Wine Competition

Four Varietals Receive Medals, including a Best in Class for Winery’s 2020 Riesling 

Anchor & Hope, a craft winery located in Rumford, Rhode Island, is proud to announce that it was awarded four medals at the inaugural Boston Wine Competition, which began on November 4.   

Anchor & Hope’s grapes are grown on small family farms in Germany, California, Oregon, Rhode Island, and New York, and blended, aged, and packaged in Rumford. All their wines are farmed sustainably and made using minimal intervention practices, resulting in elegant, easy drinking, and food-friendly wines.

All four Anchor & Hope wines submitted scored highly in the judging criteria of quality and diversity. Its 2020 Riesling received Best in Class for the category and a platinum award for receiving unanimous gold medals from the judging panel.  Grown on a historic vineyard site, the off-dry Riesling is mineral-driven and bursting with ripe fruit and floral aromatics. Winemaker, mentor and grower Eckehart Groehl produces this wine with earth-friendly farming,native fermentation in stainless steel tanks, and some skin contact before pressing. His vineyard hangs on the historic red slate and sandstone cliffs of Nierstein, Germany along the Rhine River. 

The just-released 2021 Pinot Gris received a gold medal for its rich, honeyed and tropical fruit flavors, salty minerality, and almond pastry note that is derived from aging on the native yeast with some skin contact. The grapes are grown on the rolling hills above the Rhine River by the Groehl family, where the sediment of prehistoric, calcium rich shells, volcanic rocks, and red sandstone make Rheinhessen an incredible place for Pinot varietals.

The 2021 Sauvignon Blanc from the Foxhole Vineyard in Rheinhessen, Germany, won a silver medal for its bright and refreshing flavors of citrus and fresh herbs, salty minerality, and crisp acidity. Clean winemaking, extended skin contact and slow, cold fermentation in stainless, it is the culmination of more than 15 years      of collaboration with grower, mentor and co-winemaker, Eckehart Groehl.

Lastly, the 2020 Pinot Noir received a bronze medal for its ripe flavors of cranberry and raspberry enhanced by aromas of cocoa and leather. These Massal Selection vines were planted and grown sustainably by partner winemakers Nico and Laura Espenschied on their family estate in Flonheim, Germany. The grapes were hand-picked and fermented in open tonneau by native yeasts before softening and aging for 18 months in large oak tonneau.

The Boston Wine Competition showcases wine diversity across the globe, spotlighting wines that earn renowned recognition. Judges score wines highly, based on the winemaker’s ability to balance the art and science of winemaking, while making sound, quality wines that consumers will love. 

Raye Bouschet, Executive Director and co-founder of the Boston Wine Competition says, “Our competition celebrates wines that capture the essence of art and science in the glass, from vine to bottle. This competition not only analyzes quality, but places emphasis on what differentiates it from the pack. We’re on a mission to showcase winemakers that express grape and regional diversity and celebrate what each winemaker brings to the table.”

The judging panel at the competition was made up of sommeliers, buyers and writers with extensive commercial buying responsibility. During the judging stage, judges determined which entries were worthy of a platinum, gold, silver, or bronze medal. Entries that received a gold medal from all judges on a panel earned a platinum award. On the final day of the competition, platinum and gold winners advanced to the sweepstakes round to determine Best in Class and Best in Show winners.

“In today’s competitive market, and with more sophisticated consumers who prefer diversity and uniqueness in their wine, a well-made wine is not enough to win over a customer. This competition awards wineries that express the grape’s potential in its given region, appellation, and vineyard, making these awards incredibly significant for us as a growing brand,” said Anchor & Hope co-owner and winemaker James Davids. “Not only does this recognition show that we are making the types of wines that customers will enjoy, but that we are also making quality wines that stand out in a crowd.”


RI Seafood Launches New Website Tools And “Fishline” App To Help Local Consumers Find Fresh, Local Seafood

The Rhode Island Seafood Marketing Collaborative has launched a mobile app and a redesigned website to heighten Rhode Island consumers’ awareness of the value, appeal, and year-round availability of fresh, local Rhode Island seafood, the Department of Environmental Management (DEM) announced today. Developed in partnership with the Commercial Fisheries Center of Rhode Island, the new app, FishLine, lets consumers search for fresh seafood to buy from seafood markets, farmers’ markets, and restaurants, as well as directly off the boat from fishermen. The FishLine app and newly updated SeafoodRI.com website are examples of ways that the state is trying to boost its commercial fishing and seafood industry, and strengthen Rhode Island’s local food system and food economy.

“Making it easier for people to find and buy Rhode Island seafood is good for everyone,” said Governor Dan McKee. “It supports the thousands of hard-working men and women of one of the Ocean State’s oldest industries, celebrates the restaurants and seafood dealers and food businesses that have made Rhode Island such a ‘foodie’ destination, and ensures a steady supply of fresh, healthy, locally caught seafood, which is a cornerstone of our state food security strategy.”

“From calamari to oysters to various species of finfish, Rhode Island seafood is already known around the world; what we’re trying to do is jolt interest in and demand for our seafood right here in Rhode Island,” said DEM Director Terry Gray. “Through the new FishLine app and website, DEM wants to help connect local consumers and especially younger consumers to local seafood because local is fresh and fresh is delicious.”

“Access to fresh Rhode Island seafood is now, literally, at the fingertips of all Rhode Islanders,” said Robert Ballou, Chair of the RI Seafood Marketing Collaborative. “Increasing consumer awareness of and demand for Rhode Island seafood products in Rhode Island increases in-state sales, spurs growth of the local seafood economy, and supports a stronger, more resilient local food system that is less dependent on less reliable out-of-state sources. Shorter supply chains, or food miles, also have smaller carbon footprints, thereby helping to mitigate the impacts of climate change.”

The new FishLine app and SeafoodRI.com list more than 40 restaurants, seafood markets, grocers, and direct sellers that offer local seafood, profiles about local species and harvesters, and tips for how to cook and enjoy it. Direct sellers and other seafood retailers can use the app to post real-time updates on landings and sales opportunities, helping consumers geo-locate the opportunities to purchase and enjoy RI seafood closest to where they are located. Simply go to SeafoodRI.com and click on the RI Seafood Finder to get started or download the FishLine app from the Apple or Android app store.

Both tools are initiatives of the RI Seafood Marketing Collaborative and industry partners to promote and market fresh Rhode Island seafood. The trademarked RI Seafood brand logo is a core component. Over the past year, the RI Seafood logo has been featured in a variety of online and print advertisements across Rhode Island and at public events including the Charlestown Seafood Festival, the Newport Seafood Festival, and most recently, the Taste of Rhode Island, where Chef Frank Terranova demonstrated how to prepare locally landed monkfish to nearly 1,000 attendees.  The 2022 RI Seafood Marketing campaign is supported by a federal Saltonstall-Kennedy grant awarded to DEM and the Collaborative by NOAA Fisheries last year.

Established by the Rhode Island General Assembly in 2011, the RI Seafood Marketing Collaborative is a public-private body that aims to support local fishermen and seafood farmers and increase awareness and consumption of locally harvested species by the public. Its membership includes representatives from all key sectors of the commercial fishing, aquaculture, and seafood industries joined by representatives from URI, RI Sea Grant, and state agencies including DEM, which chairs the group, and the RI Commerce Corporation, Rhode Island Department of Health, and RI Coastal Resources Management Council.

Rhode Island has a diverse and dynamic commercial fishing and seafood industry. Steeped in tradition, the industry continues to thrive thanks to the health and abundance of locally available fishery resources and the ingenuity and sweat of thousands of hard-working men and women who harvest seafood and make it available to consumers in Rhode Island, across the United States, and around the world. Annual wild harvest landings total over 80 million pounds, valued at over $100 million (ex-vessel). These landings yield a total economic output valued at over $400 million and support over 4,000 jobs, according to a URI study. In addition, shellfish farms in RI waters produce more than 8 million oysters annually, with a farm-gate value of nearly $6 million. The commercial fishing industry has rebounded after huge challenges posed by the COVID pandemic, with 2021 landings, valued at more than $102 million, up by 31% over 2020 landings (ex-vessel), according to the DEM Division of Marine Fisheries.

Follow RI Seafood on Facebook or Instagram (@RI.seafood) for timely updates. Sellers of RI seafood interested in joining the RI Seafood Marketing Campaign can sign up on the RI Seafood website. For more information on DEM programs and initiatives, visit www.dem.ri.gov. Follow DEM on Facebook, Twitter (@RhodeIslandDEM), or Instagram (@rhodeisland.dem).


“Buy One, Give One” Lasagna Promotion Returns at Giusto

Now in its third year, the “Buy One, Give One Lasagna” promotion is back for the holidays. Giusto is selling their ready-to-bake lasagnas to support the MLK Center in Newport. For each lasagna purchased, Giusto will donate one to the MLK Center. There are two variations available, Meat Bolognese and Mushroom Ragu. Each lasagna serves 6-8 people and costs $75. To order: 401-324-7400 (with 24 hours notice).


Neon Marketplace Opens in Providence; marks Occasion with $10,000 Donation to Hasbro Children’s Hospital

New Location is the Growing C-Store Brand’s Sixth Store, and its Fourth in Rhode Island 

Check Presentation: Tracey Wallace, Vice President, Pediatric Services, Hasbro Children’s Hospital; Michele Brannigan, Senior Major Gifts Officer and Campaign Manager; Bahjat Shariff, Brand Leader, Neon Marketplace; Ralph Izzi, Vice President, Corporate Marketing & Public Affairs, The Procaccianti Companies.

Neon Marketplace, the newest, most innovative, and elevated brand in the convenience store industry, with locations in Warwick, Rhode Island and Seekonk and Freetown, Massachusetts and express locations in Middletown and Portsmouth, Rhode Island, is pleased to announce the opening of its newest store at 288 Kinsley Avenue in Providence. 

Neon celebrated the grand opening with a ribbon cutting ceremony with Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza, Mayor-Elect Brett Smiley, and Providence City Councilman Oscar Vargas, as well as a $10,000 donation to Hasbro Children’s Hospital.

The first 100 customers at the Providence location also received a special winter-themed gift with purchase.

“We are thrilled to open our doors in the Capital City,” said Bahjat Shariff, Brand Leader, Neon Marketplace. “With our convenient location, competitively-priced gas, Tesla charging stations, and chef-inspired food and beverage choices, we hope to become the go-to stop for the local community and visitors alike.”

Neon Marketplace offers a full array of dining options, including its signature artisan, hand-pressed pizzas. Developed in conjunction with James Beard award-winning chef and restaurateur Michael Schlow, Neon’s pizza pies are baked light and fluffy onsite in Neon’s traditional brick ovens. Each hand-crafted pizza pie starts with dough that is proofed for several hours to give it a light and airy texture, and is then baked in Neon’s brick ovens. On “Pizza Twos-day” Tuesdays, customers can pick up any two of Neon’s Roman-style specialty pizzas topped with house-made sauce and Neon’s signature three-cheese blend for just $15.00 at the Providence, Warwick, Seekonk, and Freetown locations.  

In addition to its signature pizzas, Neon offers a variety of made-to-order and grab-and-go options, including gourmet coffees, breakfast sandwiches and baked goods; hand-made grinders and sandwiches; salads; snacks; fountain and cooler drinks; as well as delivery and catering services for any size group and for any occasion.    

Soon, guests of the Providence location will be able to enjoy Neon’s new chicken sandwiches, which feature a choice of a buttermilk-battered crispy chicken breast or a tender sous vide chicken breast grilled to perfection andtopped with tangy pickles and the slightly sweet, slightly spicy, and always creamy Neon sauce served on a toasted brioche bun.  Guests can make their sandwiches deluxe with the addition of crispy bacon, American cheese, green leaf lettuce, sliced tomato, and onion.

Neon also recently added new menu items inspired by the flavors of the holiday season, including Peppermint Hot Chocolate: extra rich dark hot chocolate with a kiss of peppermint and finished with whipped cream, chocolate sauce, and crushed peppermint candies; a Peppermint Mocha: Neon’s smooth and rich espresso infused with chocolate sauce, wintery peppermint, and steamed milk and finished with whipped cream, chocolate sauce, and crushed peppermint candies; an Iced Peppermint Mocha: smooth and rich espresso infused with chocolate sauce, wintery peppermint, and milk, poured over ice, then finished with whipped cream, chocolate sauce, and crushed peppermint candies; and an indulgent Candy Cane Cookies & Cream Milkshake: creamy vanilla soft serve ice cream blended with peppermint and Oreo cookies and topped with whipped cream, chocolate sauce, and crushed peppermint candies.   

Seasonal baked goods, made fresh in-house daily, will feature the Cranberry Orange Nut Muffin packed with juicy cranberries, tangy orange pieces, and toasted walnuts, and the decadent Red Velvet Cookie with white, dark, and milk chocolate pieces, available warm.

Neon Marketplace caters to today’s modern traveler by delivering a uniquely refreshing and stylish experience designed to create loyal customers. Neon locations are targeted to areas where the convenience store customer is currently underserved and in areas where growing populations and/or business growth has resulted in increased vehicle traffic and consumer demand.   Guests are also encouraged to download the Neon Rewards app on their iPhone or Android device to receive special discounts throughout the year. Neon Rewards members who also join Spot Pay will receive 10-cents off every gallon of gasoline purchased for the duration of their membership. Spot Pay offers all participating members discounts and instant reward payments on fuel purchases. 

December 7, 2022 0 comment
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Easy Entertaining Thanksgiving
chefs & restaurantscookingnews

News Bites: Easy Entertaining’s Give a Meal / Stoneacre Holiday Brunch at the Mansions / Durk’s Bar-B-Q Gifting

by David Dadekian November 18, 2021
written by David Dadekian

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



Easy Entertaining’s Give a Meal Program in partnership with Amos House

For most of us, the holidays are all about being with friends and family over a warm meal. The sad reality is that not every Rhode Islander is afforded these basic needs. Your support can help us make the holidays a little better for someone who needs it most.

Last year we partnered with Providence’s Amos House to help supply holiday meals to our city’s in-need community. We asked y’all to purchase single plates (or a bundle of plates) that our team would prepare, package and deliver to Amos House so they could provide a Thanksgiving meal to their guests. Your support B L E W us away, helping us provide 700+ meals.

Based on last year’s success it was an easy decision to continue with this partnership this year. Amos House has asked for our help in providing 400 meals and we’re confident, with your help, we can make that happen. If you’re ordering Thanksgiving from us, we hope you’ll consider adding a plate or a bundle to your order. If you’re not ordering from us, but would still like to take part in the program, you can order a plate or bundle independently via the same online store!

We are accepting orders through 12:00 noon on Thursday November 18th and we truly appreciate your consideration and support in this fundraiser that’s become so important to us.

View Menu and Order Online


Holiday Brunch at The Chinese Tea House Curated by Stoneacre Brasserie

Located on the back lawn of Marble House, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.

  • Three courses, featuring classics plus new and inspired dishes. Complimentary tea service included. Specialty cocktails and wines additional.

$35 Adult / $16 Child

  • Offered weekends
    Nov. 27 – Dec. 19 and
    Christmas week Dec. 27 – 31
    Not available Dec. 25 & 26

10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Available to Preservation Society members & ticket holders

Reservations Recommended
401-306-0270
TeaHouseReservations@gmail.com


Durk’s Bar-B-Q Smothers It On Thick With Gifting This Holiday Season

Book the ‘Holiday with Friends’ package from now through December 1 to receive a $100 Durk’s gift card 

Durk's Bar-B-Q

Happy holidays don’t just happen on their own. Whether it’s the whole family in tow or a night out with coworkers, Durk’s Bar-B-Q, with its high touch hospitality against a come-as-you-are backdrop, is heating up this festive season. Diners who book a reservation for the ‘Holiday with Friends’ package from now through December 1, 2021 will receive a $100 Durk’s gift card. 

Trying to avoid the hassle and guesswork of ordering for large groups from a prix fixe menu? Durk’s has you covered. With a commitment to serving fresh, locally sourced and seasonal ingredients, the ‘Holiday with Friends’ dining package features fan favorites and festive additions served family styles for parties of 8 to 10 guests. 

‘Holiday with Friends’ Dining Package 

For parties of 8-10, $350 + gratuity 

·         Starter Snacks: Wings, Poutine, Pierogies, Chopped Salad 

·         Platter of Meats: Brisket, Pulled Pork, Pulled Chicken, Ribs, Sausage  

·         Shareable Sides: Corn Bread, Mac, Braised Kale, Beans, Potato Salad, Coleslaw, Pickles 

(No substitutions; items can be added a la carte) 

To reserve, contact info@durksbbq.com 

For the BBQ lover in your life or the person who is impossible to shop for, a Durk’s gift card is the perfect gift. Whether it’s a hostess gift, stocking stuffer, or Secret Santa, a gift card for a delicious meal and a night out in Providence can’t be beat.  

‘Tis the season of giving, so Durk’s is offering an additional $25 gift card for every $100 gift card purchased in person or via phone. Stop in and pick up a gift card that gives the ‘gifter’ a treat too. Or call 401-563-8622 for purchase. 

Gift Cards 

·         Buy $100 Gift Card, receive an additional $25 Gift Card 

·         Valid on physical gift cards purchased at Durk’s or via phone 

November 18, 2021 0 comment
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cookingfarmsnews

News Bites: RI Food Bank 2016 Status Report on Hunger / Farm Fresh RI Matching Donation Challenge / Winter Farmers’ Markets

by David Dadekian November 22, 2016
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 Community Food Bank 2016 Status Report on Hunger

Rhode Island Community Food Bank

Low-Income Families are Missing Meals

There is a significant meal gap in Rhode Island today. Low-income families miss out on meals because they cannot afford adequate food. Entire communities remain distressed and are not benefiting from the state’s economic recovery. More should be done to protect low-income families from hunger and bring economic growth to the communities where they live.

Download the Status Report on Hunger in Rhode Island.

MAJOR FINDINGS

  • Over 33 million meals are missed each year by Rhode Islanders at the bottom of the income scale.
  • Government nutrition programs are now the primary source of meals for low-income households.
  • More than one-fifth of the state’s population lives in communities that suffer from extreme economic hardship.
  • Demand for food assistance remains high with 59,000 people served by the Rhode Island Community Food Bank each month.

Thirty-Three Million Missing Meals

The graph shows the different sources of meals for low-income households in Rhode Island. Of the total 217 million meals needed annually, 15 percent – 33.2 million – are missing. SNAP, WIC and School Meals account for more than half of the meals provided.

Read the entire 2016 Status Report on Hunger in Rhode Island.

Action Steps

  • Urge Congress to increase SNAP benefit levels to keep up with the real cost of food.
  • Offer free school breakfast and lunch to all students in high-poverty areas.
  • Prioritize distressed communities in Rhode Island for economic development to improve the lives of low-income residents.
  • Allocate additional state funding to keep the Food Bank stocked to meet the continued high demand for food assistance.

For previous versions of the Status Report on Hunger, visit our Publications page.


Farm Fresh RI Challenged by Newman’s Own Foundation for #GivingTuesday

Farm Fresh Rhode IslandFarm Fresh Rhode Island has been selected to participate in the Newman’s Own Foundation Challenge for #GivingTuesday, a global day of giving that harnesses the collective power of individuals, communities, and organizations to encourage philanthropy and celebrate generosity worldwide.

As part of the Newman’s Own Foundation Challenge, Farm Fresh Rhode Island can earn up to $10,000 in matching funds for donations made (through www.crowdrise.com/FarmFreshRI-GivingTuesday) between November 22 and November 29.

Farm Fresh RI is dedicated to growing a local food system that values the environment, health and quality of life of Rhode Island farmers and eaters. Part incubator, part activator, Farm Fresh’s mission is to preserve Rhode Island farmland, build healthier communities, strengthen local community-based businesses, increase access to fresh food for all, and improve the impact of food production and distribution on the environment. Funds raised in the Challenge will be used to support a wide array of access, education, and distribution programs—such as operating farmers markets year-round; incentivizing and subsidizing EBT/SNAP use at those markets; facilitating buying relationships between RI producers, businesses, and institutions; providing food-industry job training and employment to youth from DCYF’s Juvenile Justice Corrections Services; getting more locally grown, fresh foods into more RI school, hospital, and senior residence cafeterias; and empowering low-income families with tools to shop for and cook fresh foods.

“We love the strong connections Rhode Islanders have to their growers and fishermen. But there is still a long ways for us to go,” says Sheri Griffin, Co-Executive Directory of Farm Fresh RI. “We estimate that just 1% of the food consumed in Rhode Island is locally grown or caught. That is 99% opportunity! Grocery store shelves, cafeterias, schools, senior meal sites — there are so many ways to tie in local food better. We have to ask for these changes to make them happen. They will not happen on their own, but they are so worthwhile, and taste good to boot!”

Occurring this year on November 29, #GivingTuesday is held annually on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday to kick off the holiday giving season. The day is designed to inspire people to collaborate in improving their local communities and to give back in impactful ways to the charities and causes they support.

The Challenge is hosted on CrowdRise, a crowdfundraising platform for nonprofits. A total of 20 organizations were selected to participate by Newman’s Own Foundation, the independent foundation created by the late actor and philanthropist, Paul Newman.

Those who are interested in helping Farm Fresh Rhode Island reach its Challenge goal can do so by visiting: www.crowdrise.com/FarmFreshRI-GivingTuesday.


Winter Farmers’ Markets Offer Perfect Local Fare for Holiday Feasts

Just in time for the holidays, the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) today announced that as part of its “Get Fresh. Buy Local” campaign, winter farmers’ markets will be open across the state this weekend. The markets will feature an array of local products – from seafood to meats, produce, and prepared foods and gifts.

“The winter markets are great places to purchase fresh, delicious local food while supporting Rhode Island businesses,” said DEM Director Janet Coit.  “I can think of no better way to dress the Thanksgiving table than with Rhode Island-grown turkey, locally harvested fish, or farm-fresh potatoes, apples, cider or winter squash.  I hope everyone will join me this weekend in visiting a local market to get fresh, and buy local!”

Markets, locations and operating times are as follows:

Farm Fresh RI Wintertime Farmers’ Market, Pawtucket
Hope Artiste Village, 1005 & 999 Main Street
Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. through April 29

Mount Hope Farm, Bristol
250 Metacom Avenue
Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. year-round

Aquidneck Growers Market, Middletown
Newport Vineyards, 909 East Main Road
Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. year-round

Coastal Growers Winter Farmers’ Market, North Kingstown
Lafayette Mill Complex, 650 Ten Rod Road
Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. through April 29

South Kingstown Indoor Winter Farmers’ Market, Peace Dale
Peacedale Mill Complex, 1425 Kingstown Road
Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. through April 29

Schoolyard Market, Warren
Hope & Main Food Incubator, 691 Main Street
Select Sundays (December 18, January 15, February 19, March 19, & May 21) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Farm Fresh RI Woonsocket Farmers’ Market, Woonsocket
Thundermist Health Center, 450 Clinton Street
Tuesdays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. year-round

DEM’s Get Fresh. Buy Local campaign supports efforts to increase local awareness and consumption of Rhode Island-sourced products and to build a sustainable food system in the state.  Rhode Island’s food sector is experiencing significant growth, and efforts are underway to develop the state’s first statewide food strategy.  Winter farmers’ markets play an important role in supporting a strong food system by increasing Rhode Islanders’ access to affordable, local products and providing a marketplace for local farmers during the off-season.  Rhode Island’s food system supports 60,000 jobs, and it is one of few states where the number of farms is on the rise, now standing at more than 1,200 farms. The state also leads the nation in the percent of farms selling directly to the public.

For more information on DEM programs and initiatives, visit www.dem.ri.gov. Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RhodeIslandDEM or on Twitter (@RhodeIslandDEM) for timely updates.

November 22, 2016 0 comment
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chefs & restaurantscookingfarmsnews

News Bites: RI Hospitality Culinary Competition, Rhode Island Open Space Grants, Ocean State Job Lot Food Donation

by David Dadekian March 25, 2014
written by David Dadekian

William M. Davies Career & Technical High School Culinary Team, from left to right order: Heather Singleton, Sr. VP, RIHEF; Jesse James, US Foods; Students: Maria Jacobo, Cesia Lapop, Osiris Hernandez, Elise Calhoun, and Reymy Pena; Chef Peter Fangiullo and Chef Santos Nieves, Culinary Teachers, Davies Career & Tech

William M. Davies Career & Technical High School Culinary Team, from left to right order: Heather Singleton, Sr. VP, RIHEF; Jesse James, US Foods; Students: Maria Jacobo, Cesia Lapop, Osiris Hernandez, Elise Calhoun, and Reymy Pena; Chef Peter Fangiullo and Chef Santos Nieves, Culinary Teachers, Davies Career & Tech

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

RI Hospitality Education Foundation Hosts 3rd Annual Rhode Island ProStart® Culinary Competition

Local Students Competed for $324,000 in Scholarship Money and the Chance to Represent Rhode Island in the National Competition in Minneapolis

The RI Hospitality Education Foundation (RIHEF), in collaboration with ProStart® and US Foods recently hosted the 3rd Annual Rhode Island ProStart® Culinary Competition.  Four students from William M. Davies Career & Technical High School won the Culinary Arts portion of the competition and four students from Exeter Job Corps Academy won the Foodservice Management portion of the competition. The students not only won $324,000 in scholarship money divided amongst the teams, but they will also be representing Rhode Island at the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation’s ProStart® Invitational competition in Minneapolis this May.

Exeter Job Corps Academy Foodservice Management Team, from left to right order: Heather Singleton, Sr. VP, RIHEF; Jesse James, US Foods; Students: Destiny Tolentino, Bianca Rivera, Samantha Miranda, and Shirnica Hilaire; Chef Mark Bennison, Culinary Teacher, Exeter Job Corps Academy

Exeter Job Corps Academy Foodservice Management Team, from left to right order: Heather Singleton, Sr. VP, RIHEF; Jesse James, US Foods; Students: Destiny Tolentino, Bianca Rivera, Samantha Miranda, and Shirnica Hilaire; Chef Mark Bennison, Culinary Teacher, Exeter Job Corps Academy

“I am extremely proud of all the students who dedicated months to practice and preparation for this event,” said Dale Venturini, President and CEO of the RI Hospitality Association. “As the future of the hospitality industry, I look forward to watching the students’ skills continue to progress and eventually become part of the skilled workforce we have here in Rhode Island.”

The competition was comprised of more than 30 students from across Rhode Island who are enrolled in ProStart®, a two-year hospitality career-building program designed by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation. The $324,000 scholarship money was provided by Johnson & Wales University, Lincoln Culinary Institute, New England Culinary Institute, The Art Institute, and Sullivan University. At the national competition, the winning teams will compete for nearly $1.4 million dollars in scholarship money.

There were two separate events that students could participate in. Culinary teams competed in a wide array of culinary challenges including: safe food transportation, knife skills, a cook-off by preparing a three-course meal (using only two burners), teamwork/cooperation, professionalism/appearance, plate presentation, and more.

Foodservice Management teams presented a restaurant concept idea they created along with their business plan, which included design boards, floor plans, marketing plans, and menu design. All teams were judged by locally and nationally recognized hospitality and food professionals.


DEM Announces Availability of Up to $5 Million in Open Space Grants for Land Preservation Projects

The Department of Environmental Management is now accepting applications from municipalities, land trusts, and non-profit land conservation organizations for Rhode Island Local Open Space Matching Grants. A total of up to $5 million is available during this round of the grant program.

“Through these grants, we will continue to help preserve and protect precious open space and farmland, as well as support one of our state’s economic drivers – tourism,” Governor Lincoln D. Chafee said.  “Rhode Island is fortunate to enjoy unparalleled natural beauty.  By having funds available for our cities and towns, land trusts and conservation organizations, we can continue to safeguard these assets, which strengthen our economy, future and environment.”

DEM Director Janet Coit announced the grant round at the Land and Water Conservation Summit held Saturday at the URI Coastal Institute.  Director Coit praised the more than 300 board members, volunteers and staff from land trusts, watershed councils, and conservation commissions who attended the event for their dedication to land and watershed conservation, saying that their combined efforts are what make Rhode Island great – and provide hope and a legacy.

“It’s the power of local communities working with DEM to preserve the special places that mean so much — places where folks can go to get outdoors, unwind, and relax,” Director Coit said.  “These bonds are funds that drive progress and allow municipalities and conservation groups to keep a pipeline of projects moving forward – projects that ensure we have productive farmland, healthy forests, and places to play and enjoy nature.”

The grants will provide up to 50 percent of funding, up to a maximum of $400,000, to preserve open space lands that possess significant natural, ecological, agricultural or scenic values, by direct purchase or conservation easements.  Special consideration will be given to projects that provide linkages between or expansion of existing preserved lands.  In addition to the grants, DEM has funds available in its no-interest loan program to assist in the funding of open space projects.  Funding for this grant round comes from the 2008 and 2012 Open Space Bond Authorizations, overwhelmingly approved by Rhode Island voters.

DEM will also provide 50 percent of overhead funds within set parameters to successful projects for appraisal, title, and survey services, provided the services are competitively bid with appropriate documentation. Funding for overhead costs would be in addition to grant awards, and would provide another source of financial assistance for land trusts and municipalities to acquire or protect valuable open space.

Over the years these grant programs have not only resulted in the protection of hundreds of worthwhile projects – places used by residents and tourists alike for outdoor recreation – but have also contributed to the economic health of the state.  These natural assets play a big role in the state’s tourist economy by providing opportunities for the public to camp, fish, hunt, hike, and enjoy the great outdoors, and at the same time bring revenue to the local economy.  This successful grant program has provided funding for the preservation of over 10,000 acres of land across the state since its inception in 1985.  DEM has worked with partners to complete 165 easement transactions with land trusts and local communities to date, furthering the mission of preserving Rhode Island’s precious resources and increasing the public’s access and enjoyment of our natural lands.

Recent projects completed from the state’s 2011 funding round include the protection of a 175-acre parcel in Coventry along the Coventry Greenway; assisting the Town of North Smithfield in acquiring a 40-acre parcel adjacent to Booth Pond; and preserving the development rights on the Kee Farm on the Kickemuit River in Warren.  “As we approach the 50th anniversary of the Green Acres Act this May, we can see visual reminders across Rhode Island of how partnerships have been necessary and successful to conservation,” Director Coit noted.

Noting that the grant funds would help protect and preserve Rhode Island’s open spaces and natural heritage, Director Coit emphasized the importance of Governor Chafee’s proposed $75 million Clean Water, Open Space and Healthy Communities bond for the 2014 ballot.  “Rhode Island has a proud history of supporting investment in our extraordinary natural assets. Clean Water and Open Space bonds are widely supported in Rhode Island – in our urban centers, our small town main streets, suburban neighborhoods, and rural areas – because they keep our local character in-tact, and ensure continued economic investment and activity throughout the state,” she said.

Grant applications will be accepted through June 6 at 4 p.m. They will be reviewed and ranked by the Natural Heritage Preservation Advisory Committee with final awards to be made by the State Natural Heritage Preservation Commission.  The Commission expects to announce the grant awards in September 2014.

Grant applications, specific rules governing the grant program, and additional information is available from Lisa Primiano, deputy chief of DEM’s Division of Planning and Development, at 222-2776 ext. 4307, or via email at lisa.primiano@dem.ri.gov.  Information and downloadable applications are also available on DEM’s website, www.dem.ri.gov, by clicking on “Topics,” then “Grants,” then “Open Space Grants.”


Ocean State Job Lot Makes Record $1.4 Million Food Donation

Company partners with Polar Beverages, Bank of America, Bob’s Red Mill and Providence Journal Charitable Foundation to send 78 tractor trailer loads of food to area Food Banks in 2014; Program kicks off with 17-truck convoy on March 25th

Ocean State Job Lot, a 111-store discount retail chain headquartered in North Kingstown, R.I., announces its 2014 “Three Square Meals” hunger relief program to alleviate the food crisis throughout the Northeast U.S.

The program is expected to distribute 78 tractor trailer loads of food throughout the year to 13 food banks and pantries across six New England states and New York, including:  Rhode Island Community Food Bank (Providence, RI), Connecticut Food Bank (East Haven, CT), Foodshare (Bloomfield, CT), New Hampshire Food Bank (Manchester, NH), Food Bank of the Hudson Valley (Cornwall on Hudson, NY), Worcester County Food Bank (Shrewsbury, MA), Food Bank of Western Massachusetts (Hatfield, MA), Good Shepherd Food Bank (Auburn, ME), Vermont Foodbank (Barre, VT), Boston Medical Center Food Pantry (Boston, MA), Greater Boston Food Bank, Long Island Cares (Hauppage, NY), and the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York (Latham, NY). This marks the largest single food donation of its kind by a private company in New England.

On Tuesday, March 25, 2014 at 9:30 a.m., the first delivery of food will kick-off via convoy of 15 tractor trailer trucks loaded with 600,000 lbs of nutritious shelf-stable food. The public is invited to cheer on the convoy departing from Job Lot’s warehouse in North Kingstown, escorted by RI State Police, Blue Knights motorcycle club and North Kingstown Fire Department en route to the select Food Banks.

For the first time in the 11-year history of the Three Square Meals program, private businesses are sponsoring a truckload of food including Bank of America, The Providence Journal Charitable Fund, Polar Beverages, and Bob’s Red Mill.  Job Lot’s Charitable Foundation is also teaming up with the New England Patriots Alumni Club led by former 12-year Patriots offensive player Pete Brock and 15-year quarterback Steve Grogan to “tackle hunger” in 2014 and beyond. They will be on-hand for the March 25th morning event along with current Patriots cheerleaders and costumed mascot “Pat Patriot.”

In what has become a holiday tradition, Job Lot customers in seven states were invited to donate $1 at the register through December 31, 2013 to help buy food for Food Banks to distribute in their local community.  Job Lot matched the first $100,000 of donations made by shoppers.  The customer donations and matching amount totaled over $1.4 million – the equivalent of 78 tractor trailer loads of food.  Leveraging its significant wholesale buying power, Job Lot purchases food from its manufacturers and other sources valued at up to three times Job Lot’s purchase price, and also donates all purchasing logistics, administration, management, delivery labor, and fuel ensuring 100 percent of donated funds are used to help alleviate hunger.  Items to be distributed include shelf-stable food such as pasta, cereal, canned vegetables and fruit, soup, canned tuna, dried beans, rice, and more.

In late Spring, Job Lot and the New England Patriots Alumni Club are launching an initiative with URI’s SNAP-Ed program, culinary institutes, Scotts and Burpee Seeds to tackle food insecurity in the region from supporting neighborhood gardens to providing nutrition education to the community.  “Our Three Square Meals event is intended to bring attention to and help alleviate the growing food crisis in our region,” states Ocean State Job Lot Owner/Partner Alan Perlman, who notes his company is quick to recognize the contributions and generosity of its valued customers.  “We’re leading the fight against hunger, starting from the community garden level, to distributing nutritious food, to then teaching people how to create and eat healthy meals. Together with our customers and charitable partners such as the Patriots Alumni and URI’s SNAP-Ed program, we can greatly impact each step along this food insecurity cycle.  It’s exciting to see our Three Square Meals program grow and become an important catalyst for change.”

The public is invited to attend the 2014 Three Square Meals event being held in the Job Lot warehouse at 375 Commerce Park Road in North Kingstown on March 25, 2014 at 8:00 am, and to help cheer on the truck convoy as it departs at approximately 9:15 am for the Food Bank deliveries. There is no charge for this event.  Guests are asked to use Job Lot Way (off Commerce Park Road) to access the warehouse parking lot, and to enter Door #7.

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