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Open House at the State House 2019 Inaugural Event

by David Dadekian January 3, 2019

written by David Dadekian

Join the Governor for a Free Food & Drink Tasting on Saturday, January 5th

Eat Drink RI is proud to present the second Open House at the State House, hosted by Governor Gina Raimondo and First Gentleman Andy Moffit, on the Saturday following the Governor’s second inauguration. The event will feature tastings from Rhode Island restaurants and food and beverage producers, as well as performances from a diverse variety of local groups. Admission is free with a suggested donation of a non-perishable food item to the Rhode Island Community Food Bank.

“We’re excited to host the Open House at the State House, and invite all Rhode Islanders to join in the celebration,” said Governor Gina Raimondo and her husband Andy Moffit. “After the Open House, all Rhode Islanders are welcome to head to The Providence Rink at Alex and Ani City Center for a free skate.”

“I was happy to be asked to produce the Open House at the State House for a second time,” said Eat Drink RI’s David Dadekian. “As every Rhode Islander knows, we have some of the best food and drink in the world here. To showcase a slice of it in the ‘People’s House,’ perhaps the most majestic location for a tasting ever, is a great experience.”

WHAT: Open House at the State House 2019

Admission is free with a suggested donation of a non-perishable food item to the Rhode Island Community Food Bank

WHEN: Saturday, January 5, 2019, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

WHERE: Rhode Island State House, 82 Smith St., Providence, RI

WHO: Open House restaurants and food & beverage producers:

Photos from the 2015 Open House at the State House can be found on Eat Drink RI’s Facebook album: https://www.facebook.com/328156047280490/photos/?tab=album&album_id=906604892768933

January 3, 2019 0 comments

chefs & restaurants cooking farms news wine & drinks

News Bites: Food Bank Launches Summer Food Drive / Summer at Newport Vineyards / Six Farmers Markets Opening in July

by David Dadekian January 2, 2019

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 Launches Summer Food Drive

During the summer, the need for food assistance among families spikes as children lose access to the healthy, nutritious meals they normally receive at school. To help fill the gap throughout the summer months, the Food Bank is asking the community to support the Summer Food Drive.

Here’s how you can help:

Drop off donations of non-perishable food
Pick up donation boxes and posters for a food drive in your workplace or community (or download and print your own poster).
Get the kids involved in an activity to benefit the Food Bank
Make a financial donation to help end hunger in Rhode Island

First Gentleman of Rhode Island and Chair of the Summer Food Drive Andy Moffit launched the campaign along with Food Bank CEO Andrew Schiff by encouraging Rhode Islanders to join the effort and help their neighbors in need.

Get more details and a list of most-needed items»

Watch the Summer Food Drive kick-off with Andrew Schiff and Andy Moffit:

Newport Vineyards Brings the Napa Experience to Newport with Summer Events, Tours & Tastings, Live Music & Seasonally Inspired Dining

Newport Vineyards

Newport Vineyards, an award winning winery located in beautiful Middletown, RI, has a big summer planned with tours, tastings, special events, live music and much more. Founded by brothers John & Paul Nunes in 1995, the vineyard is the largest grower of grapes in New England. The winery produces nearly 30,000 cases of estate-grown wine each year through sustainable farming methods on 75 acres of historically preserved farmland. Following a multi-million dollar renovation completed in 2015, the winery has become a culinary and wine destination offering multiple experiences including daily tours and tastings, 100% from scratch culinary programs at Brix Restaurant and The Vineyard Café, The Marketplace, seasonal live music, private events and public activities.

Each Wednesday evening through the summer, enjoy an extended evening wine tasting from 5-8pm! Hear live music from a variety of artists while you sip and savor around the welcoming fire pits. In addition to wine, beer and sangria, snacks from the kitchen are available. The vineyard also hosts a weekend music series from 1- 4pm on Saturday & Sunday afternoons. Savor the season, glass in hand! No tickets are needed and all are welcome. For more details, including the artist lineup, please visit www.newportvineyards.com/calendar-of-events.

Dine at Brix Restaurant following an afternoon at the winery or just because! Cozy up around the fire with a glass of wine. Enjoy expansive views of the vineyard and the entire winemaking operation through two walls of windows that drape the room. The culinary approach, artfully prepared by Executive Chef Andy Teixeira, starts with the basic belief that it is their responsibility to provide truth in their food. “We love the food from the minute in comes in the door, to the minute it goes into the guest’s mouth,” said Chef Teixeira. The seasonally inspired menu highlights local farms and offers something for everyone’s palate. Wednesdays are Flight Night – just $10 for a tasting of four wines or beers.

Whether you’re looking for a relaxing afternoon sipping wine and local beer with friends amid the vines, grabbing a quick breakfast or a leisurely lunch, enjoying a gourmet dinner, or hosting a private event, Newport Vineyards truly has it all. Located just 45 minutes from downtown Providence, experience summer at its finest on Aquidneck Island.

Follow Newport Vineyards on Facebook @NewportVineyards, Twitter @NewportVines, and Instagram @NewportVines. For more details, please visit www.newportvineyards.com.

Tasting Room	Winery Tours	Vineyard Café	Brix Restaurant
*Mon – Sat* 10am – 6pm *Sunday* 12 – 6pm	*Sun – Fri* 1pm & 3pm *Saturday* hourly, 11am – 4pm	*Sunday* 12 – 5pm (seasonally) *Monday* closed *Tues – Thurs* 11am – 4pm *Friday* 11am – 5pm *Saturday* 9am – 12pm breakfast sandwiches only 11am – 5pm full menu	*Tues – Thurs* 5 – 9pm *Fri & Sat* 4 – 10pmClosed Sundays & Mondays, but always available for private events, day or night

Six Farmers Markets Increasing Food Access To Open In July

Farm Fresh RI Farmers Market

Farm Fresh Rhode Island is excited to announce six of their farmers markets opening in July. Located in neighborhoods at risk for health disparities, Farm Fresh RI markets focus on increasing access to fresh, local food and nutrition education.

In July, shoppers can expect to find tomatoes, corn, peppers, blueberries, melons, grapes, greens, herbs, cheese, radishes, mushrooms, carrots, bitter melons, fresh bread and so much more! It’s easy to find a farmers market in your neighborhood and shop for fresh, local fruits and vegetables all summer and well into fall. Many markets also feature live music, prepared foods & food trucks and family-friendly activities.

According to a recent study by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), “When comparing product prices between farmers markets and retail stores, local products are competitively priced – within a 10 percent price range – at farmers markets a majority of the time, even less expensive for some foods. Local, certified organic products at farmers markets are almost always competitively priced when compared to prices at retail stores.” (May, 2016; source with graphic: http://blogs.usda.gov/2016/05/19/local-and-organic-food-shopping-finding-the-best-price)

Farm Fresh RI markets accept cash, credit, debit, SNAP, WIC Fruit & Vegetable checks, and Senior vouchers. And in partnership with Wholesome Wave (wholesomewave.org), Farm Fresh RI provides Bonus Bucks—an additional 40% bonus for customers using EBT—to increase access to fresh fruits and veggies for low-income individuals receiving federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.

The following markets, managed by Farm Fresh Rhode Island, open in July.

For a full list of farmers markets in Rhode Island, visit www.farmfreshri.org.

BROAD STREET — 807 Broad St, Providence
July 1 to October 28
Saturdays, 8:00am – 11:30pm

DOWNTOWN PROVIDENCE — Kennedy Plaza
July 11 to October 31
Tuesdays, 3:00 – 6:00pm

CENTRAL FALLS — Garfield St Playground
July 5 to October 25
Wednesdays, 2:00 – 5:30pm

WEST WARWICK —Thundermist Health Center, 186 Providence St
July 6 to October 26
Thursdays, 3:00 – 6:00pm

SLATER PARK — 825 Armistice Blvd, Pawtucket
July 9 to October 29
Sundays 12:00 – 3:00pm

NEUTACONKANUT PARK — 675 Plainfield St, Providence
July 3 to October 30
Mondays, 3:00 – 6:00pm

And two other Farm Fresh RI markets are already underway!
ARMORY — Parade St at Hudson St, Providence
May 25 to October 26
Thursdays 3:30 – 7:00pm or dusk

WOONSOCKET — Thundermist Health Center, 450 Clinton St
Year-round (Moves outside July 5)
Tuesdays, 3:00 – 6:00pm

January 2, 2019 0 comments

cooking news

Governor, First Gentleman Host RI Kids’ Healthy Recipe Luncheon

by David Dadekian January 9, 2016

written by David Dadekian

Governor Gina M. Raimondo and First Gentleman Andy Moffit, in partnership with the Rhode Island Community Food Bank and Eat Drink RI, today hosted a luncheon to recognize the winners of the RI Kids’ Healthy Recipe Challenge.

“As a mom, I know how important it is to start healthy eating habits from a young age,” Raimondo said. “My family and I had a great time getting to know the finalists and sharing stories from the kitchen. Thank you to everyone involved for your passion and dedication to creating a healthier Rhode Island.”

“This recipe challenge has been a great way to showcase the talent of our young chefs,” Moffit said. “Kids from all over Rhode Island submitted impressive recipes, and I can’t wait to try them out at home. Thank you to all of the creative students who participated, our fantastic judges and our partners, Eat Drink RI and the Rhode Island Community Food Bank, for their generous support.”

The kitchen at the Rhode Island Community Food Bank prepared and served the winning dishes to finalists and their families, along with local elected officials and community members. The Governor’s Office received 126 recipes for starters, entrees and desserts from 5th-8th graders throughout Rhode Island and chose 6-7 finalists for each category. The finalists’ recipes were compiled into the 2016 Rhode Island Kids’ Healthy Recipe Cookbook.

The meal began with “Tabouli,” a starter submitted by Chef Sofia Sweet. Sofia is a fifth-grader at Fishing Cove Elementary School in North Kingstown. She chose to submit her tabouli recipe in honor of her grandmother, who made the dish for Sofia’s birthday every year before she passed away.

Then, guests enjoyed Chef Cameron Belisle’s “Cod Fish Tacos,” as an entree. Cameron is a fifth-grade student at Stone Hill Elementary School in Cranston. He and his family enjoy an active lifestyle, cooking and recently running a 5K race together.

The luncheon concluded with “Apple Roses,” a dessert submitted by Chef Lily Addonizio. Lily is a fifth-grader at Immaculate Conception Catholic Regional School in Cranston. Her recipe for apple roses was chosen not only for its healthy ingredients, but also for its creativity and delicious taste.

January 9, 2016 0 comments

cooking news

Governor, First Gentleman Announce RI Kids’ Healthy Recipe Challenge

by David Dadekian November 2, 2015

written by David Dadekian

Rhode Island grown cranberries

To encourage kids to choose healthy eating options, Governor Gina Raimondo and First Gentleman Andy Moffit today announced the RI Kids’ Healthy Recipe Challenge. In partnership with the RI Community Food Bank and Eat Drink RI, the contest asks for kids in grades 5- 8 to create and submit healthy and affordable food recipes.

“Andy and I always want to be sure that our kids are getting a proper balanced diet, and a lot of that comes from cooking healthy and delicious foods together,” said Raimondo. “Healthy kids and families create healthy communities and a stronger economy.”

“As a father, I care deeply about Rhode Island kids’ health,” said Moffit. “Some of my focus areas as First Gentleman are raising awareness on our food economy and tackling hunger issues. This contest is a great way for kids to promote healthy habits, while encouraging them to be engaged in their community.”

“We’re grateful that the Governor and First Gentlemen are promoting healthy eating and, more importantly, healthy cooking,” said David Dadekian, Founder and President of Eat Drink RI. “Cooking meals from scratch uses local produce and ingredients, and it’s so important to get Rhode Island’s schoolchildren excited about eating well. We’re also happy to highlight the RI Community Food Bank facility and mission through this great event.”

“I am pleased that the Governor and First Gentleman are engaging young people in developing recipes that are both healthy and affordable,” said Food Bank CEO Andrew Schiff. “As so many families in Rhode Island struggle to put food on the table. One of the greatest challenges is to prepare inexpensive, nutritious meals that are also delicious. I can’t wait to see what our future chefs create!”

The RI Kids’ Healthy Recipe Challenge invites children in grades 5-8 to submit a healthy and affordable recipe with a photo or drawing of the dish and estimated cost of preparing the dish by November 30, 2015 to:

RI Kids’ Healthy Recipe Challenge
C/O Governor’s Communications Office
82 Smith Street, Room 128
Providence, RI 02903

Participants can also scan and send the submission to Communications@governor.ri.gov.

The winning recipes will be selected in three categories – starter, entrée and dessert. The top recipes will be published in a recipe booklet to be made available for download on the Governor’s website.

Winners will be notified in December and invited, along with guests, to attend the 2015 RI Kid’s Healthy Luncheon hosted by Raimondo and Moffit at the RI Community Food Bank on Saturday, January 9, where the winning dish for each category will be served.

Students from the Food Bank’s Community Kitchen culinary job training program will prepare the meal.

All partners will use the hashtag #HealthyRI in relation to the challenge.

November 2, 2015 0 comments

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