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WhistlePig Whiskey PiggyBack Barrel Aged Rye Smash
chefs & restaurantsfarmsnewswine & drinks

News Bites: WhistlePig Launches PiggyBack Rye Smash / Blackstone Valley Culinary News / Local Agriculture and Seafood Act Grants 2021

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.

WhistlePig Launches PiggyBack Barrel Aged Rye Smash in Time for Tailgating Season
World’s First Craft Can is Made with 100% Estate Rye, Harvested From the Same Fields as WhistlePig’s Award-Winning Whiskey

WhistlePig Whiskey PiggyBack Barrel Aged Rye Smash
WhistlePig Whiskey PiggyBack Barrel Aged Rye Smash

WhistlePig Whiskey, a leading distiller of independent craft whiskey, is excited to introduce the first-ever, super-premium, ready-to-drink craft Rye beverage – PiggyBack Rye Smash. The small-batch canned beverages are specially crafted with barrel-aged ingredients and 100% Estate Rye grown directly on the WhistlePig Whiskey Farm.

A bolder, more balanced and full flavored take on a seltzer, each can is locally crafted and independently made in the U.S. with all natural ingredients, and packed with 100% of the good stuff like fresh farm fruit and natural carbonation. 

Jeff Kozak, Chief Executive Officer of WhistlePig exclaims, “We’re a restless and experimental team who love to fight the good fight for Rye, in whatever form that means. We thrive on testing out new, innovative, and dynamic ways to use our Rye.  We crafted this drink with 100% Estate Rye directly from the WhistlePig Farm, and paired it with ingredients barrel-aged in our WhistlePig barrels – staying true to our WhistlePig ways.”

Giving iconic cocktails a fresh twist, PiggyBack Rye Smash comes in three delicious flavors – Blackberry Lemon Fizz, Session Citrus Mint, and Fresh Ginger Lime – for a refreshing take that is perfect for grilling, tailgating, cornhole, or catching up with friends around the bonfire. Expertly crafted like a good whiskey cocktail should be, each flavor balances fruit, citrus, and strength for a delicious, craft-inspired Rye beverage you won’t want to hit the outdoors without. 

This game-changing canned cocktail will be available in four-packs (SRP: $17.99) in Georgia, Missouri, Vermont, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island, expanding across the U.S. in 2022. Each 12-ounce can contains 8 percent ABV and is best straight from the chilled can, making it the perfect ready-to-drink beverage. 

For additional information and product availability, please visit www.piggybackryesmash.com. Follow @whistlepigwhiskey on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook to show your favorite way to enjoy WhistlePig PiggyBack Barrel Aged Rye Smash.

WhistlePig PiggyBack Barrel Aged Rye Smash Tasting Notes

  • Blackberry Lemon Fizz: Slightly sweet and naturally carbonated. The perfect balance between fruit and freshness. Turn up the music, then turn up a can and let the blackberry and barrel-aged lemon take your senses for a spin.
  • Session Citrus Mint: Features the sweetness and tartness of a farm fresh lemonade balanced with notes of WhistlePig PiggyBack 100% Rye and a hint of mint. 
  • Fresh Ginger Lime: Inspired by the Moscow Mule, it strikes a unique balance between the spicy warmth of ginger, a juicy citrus hit, and a hint of 100% Rye. 
WhistlePig Whiskey PiggyBack Barrel Aged Rye Smash
WhistlePig Whiskey PiggyBack Barrel Aged Rye Smash

Blackstone Valley Culinary News – October 6, 2021

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

Harvest Kitchen has salami specials this week:  Salami Grilled Cheese (Cheddar and Parmesan, Danieli Sweet Salami, Pesto and Blistered Tomato) for $6.00 and a Hot Italian Sub (Narragansett Creamery Smoked Mozzarella, Danieli Hot Sausage, Deli Style Lettuce, Pickled Jalapeno, May and Mustard).  They are open Monday through Friday from 10 am to 3 pm.  And check out their new Fall Menu.

Parma Ristorante
266 Putnam Pike, Smithfield  02917
401-349-0079
Parmaristorante.com

Parma is offering family style chicken dinners on Wednesdays.  It includes ½ roasted chicken, pasta (pink or red sauce), choice of garden or Caesar salad and oven roasted potatoes with focaccia bread and dipping oil.  You can dine-in or place an order to bring home.  Single – $15.95, Dinner for 2 – $27.95, and Dinner for 4 – $59.95.  For all their menus and specials, click here:  Parma Ristorante

Cook & Dagger
566 Putnam Pike, Greenville  02828
401-349-3927
Cookanddagger.com

Here a link to a great article about Cook & Dagger by “Only In Your State” recently:
Only In Rhode Island    Cook & Dagger supports local farmers and businesses – check out their wonderfully creative menu on their website:  Cook and Dagger.  For the pumpkin lovers, they’ve got a dessert you’ll want to try:  Pumpkin and Brown Sugar Crème Brulee!   

Notes Coffee Co.
508 Armistice Blvd., Pawtucket 02861
401-335-5181
notescoffeeco.com

Speaking of pumpkin….Notes Coffee Co. has their fall goodies menu out:  House-made Pumpkin Spiced Latte, House-made Pumpkin Spiced Chai, House-made Rosemary Maple Latte, Chagaccino Latte, Apple Cider Doughnuts (*GF *V Available), Caramel Macchiato Old Fashioned, Pumpkin Coffee Cake, Pumpkin Cream Cheese Danish and Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffin.  See their entire menu and order online here:   Notes Menu

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

So much happening at RI Spirits!  They’ve got a new fall menu, including fall cocktails and food, they’ve got fall product releases (including the very popular coffee & black walnut vodka filled chocolates) and new events (live music, Spooky Spirits Halloween Party and a Sassy Succulents DIY Terrarium Workshop) scheduled into mid-November.    For all the details, click here:   RI Spirits News

Governor McKee Announces $250,000 In Grants To Spur Growth Of Agriculture, Aquaculture, And Seafood Sectors

Twenty grantees obtain funding through the Local Agriculture and Seafood Act, aimed at helping small businesses in RI’s green economy prosper and increasing the diversity of both food producers and foods in the state

Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management
Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management

Governor Dan McKee and the Rhode Island Department of EnvironmentalManagement (DEM) today announced $250,000 in grant awards aimed at spurring growth in the agriculture, aquaculture, and seafood sectors of the economy. The grants are funded by the state through the Local Agriculture andSeafood Act (LASA), which directly benefits and strengthens the local food system by helping new and existing small businesses and food initiatives take root and prosper. Now in its seventh year, LASA has provided more than $1.4 million – through grants up to $20,000 – to support the growth of RhodeIsland’s local food economy.

“The 2021 Local Agriculture and Seafood Act grants prioritize projects that support the entry, growth, and sustainability of small or starting green sector businesses, with a particular focus on supporting a diversity of foods and food producers,” said Governor Dan McKee. “This will help make our local food system both more resilient and inclusive, which is a win-win for Rhode Islanders.”

“Small businesses are the backbone of the Rhode Island economy and small agriculture and seafood businesses are the backbone of the local food system,” said Lieutenant Governor Sabina Matos. “The COVID pandemic has exposed that one of our weaknesses is food insecurity – too many Rhode Islanders lack reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food. The LASA grants will invest in our state’s vibrant food economy and build capacity to feed more people.”

“DEM is always working to get more home-grown food on the table and by supporting local farmers and fishers in growing their businesses, the LASA grants help achieve this,” said DEM Acting Director Terry Gray. “Growing local and eating local, fresh, sustainable food minimizes transportation costs, reduces carbon emissions, and boosts the local economy while providing the freshest product possible to the consumer.”

The 2021 LASA grantees

African Alliance of Rhode Island, Providence, $15,175: To help establish two permanent sites for weekly farmers’ markets and provide markets at three rotating locations from June to October.

Ashawaug Farm, Ashaway, $20,000: To purchase a tractor and thus expand the farming operation’s agricultural production.

DBA Ocean State Community Seafood, Warren, $9,910: To develop tools and educational/outreach resources and initiate a presence at local festivals, farmers’ markets, and docks, to enhance local fishers’ brands, consumer connections, and profitability.

First Light Fisheries Inc., Portsmouth, $20,000: To develop marketing techniques and business channels to increase profitability of catch sales to local restaurants, small grocery stores, and the public across the state.

Hawk and Handsaw Farm LLC, Newport, $5,167: To purchase a caterpillar tunnel to expand business, extend the growing season, and provide more locally grown food to the community.

Hope’s Harvest Rhode Island, Providence, $20,000: To enable contracts to grow produce for the local emergency food system, build farmer capacity, and enhance the economic competitiveness of RI-grown agricultural products.

Movement Ground Farm, Tiverton, $10,756: To purchase essential items to increase farm viability, such as a potato digger to aid in harvest, a buckeye cultivator and tool bar for weed management, and a composting toilet to accommodate increased farm visitation.

Quaintly Farm LLC, Providence, $10,532: To update an existing high tunnel (where plants are growing right in the ground as they would in a garden) thereby establishing a longer growing season and increasing capacity of local vegetable and fruits to Communities of Color.

Revelry Greens/White Horse Farm, Portsmouth, $18,500: To initiate a farm expansion project, which will provide new tools, season extension, arborist services, and infrastructure needed to increase no-till vegetable production and establish a new, full-time family farm in Portsmouth by 2022.

Roots 2Empower, Pawtucket, $12,904: To construct a drying shed to enable the increase of value-added products such as vinaigrettes, garlic powders, and savory rubs.Sakonnet River Oyster Company, Bristol, $10,000: To purchase a tube sorter or tumbler, which sorts oysters by size and efficiently prunes the edges of the oysters. The tumbler will help produce a higher yield of marketable oysters

Silk Tree Farm, Exeter, $20,000: To buy a tractor and attachments to allow the farm to execute daily tasks more efficiently and safely.

Small World Farm LLC, Little Compton, $15,000: To build an agricultural utility building that will serve as a farmer’s market, enabling direct consumer sales of fresh and local produce.

Snake Den Farmers Association, Johnston, $8,607: To update a washroom to a standard of food safety that meets state and federal requirements and provide an indoor protected workspace to enable an extended harvest season.

Southside Community Land Trust, Cranston, $15,426: To provide farmers at Good Earth Farm with a designated space for crop storage and wash/pack facilities.

Swallowtail Farm and Cidery, Glocester, $7,795: To purchase a cool bot-regulated walk-in cooler for processing and storage of apple cider, honey, and vegetables.

Tiverton Farmers Market, Tiverton, $16,180: To promote growth for small agricultural producers and food entrepreneurs by providing a year-round farmers’ market to the local community.

Wellspring Apothecary, Tiverton, $2,500: To purchase a tincture press and dehydrator to assist with more efficient herb processing.

Westerly Land Trust, Westerly, $5,000: To purchase materials to construct a permanent farm stand, which will facilitate community access to local grown food and agricultural products.

Winterhawk Vineyards, West Kingstown, $6,548: To expand the capacity of the grape vine cloning operation from 50 stations to 200 stations and double output by higher-efficiency pumps, misters, and controls.

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chefs & restaurantsfarmsnewswine & drinks

Black-Owned Food and Drink Businesses in Rhode Island

by David Dadekian
written by David Dadekian

Editor’s note: This has been updated as of February 2023. Sadly the list of names I could add to what was the first paragraph on this page when it was set up three years ago has only grown. Black Lives Matter.

Eat Drink RI supports the non-violent protests in response to the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, David McAtee, Ahmaud Arbery and countless others. This list is an attempt to highlight any Black-owned food and drink businesses in Rhode Island for your support. The Eat Drink RI platform is 13-years-old with a wide reach, so I hope this will help to amplify these business.

This isn’t a comprehensive list by any means and additions are welcome. If you know of a food or drink business that should be added to this page, please send a message through our contact form. I’ll try to add by tracking social media too, but please send through the form so I don’t lose track of anyone.

Thanks to the following lists for additions & inspiration, and please follow these too for updates: List of Black-owned business to support? on Reddit and @bunsandbites and @anthony_perrotta on Instagram. Black Lives Biz is a RI-based nationwide search engine of businesses, including those that aren’t food & drink.

The entire list is in a sortable by name or city/town and searchable spreadsheet.

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Anna's Kitchen Shrubs International SIP Awards Competition
chefs & restaurantsfarmsnewswine & drinks

News Bites: Anna’s Kitchen Shrubs Wins Awards / RI DEM and RI Food Policy Council Grants / Graze Burgers Patio and New Menu Items

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.

Anna’s Kitchen Shrubs Win More Awards

Anna's Kitchen Shrubs International SIP Awards Competition

The results are in from the International SIP Awards Competition. There were almost 1000 entrants and Anna’s Kitchen Shrubs cleaned house. We won a total of SEVEN awards!

Each flavor won in the Taste Category

  • Strawberry Lemon Thyme – Platinum Taste
  • Apple Cider Ginger – Platinum Taste
  • Cranberry Mint – Double Gold Taste
  • Banana Turmeric – Gold Taste
  • Peach Jalapeno – Bronze Taste

Series Bottle Design – Silver

The SIP Bottle and Packaging Design Awards are conducted separately from tasting and recognizes successfully crafted designs that complement the spirit and appeal to the consumers’ aesthetic sense. Criteria for the design awards include creativity, originality, theme consistency and overall design.

Innovation Award

Last but not least Anna’s Kitchen Strawberry Lemon Thyme Shrub was awarded the Innovation Award! The Innovation Award applauds spirits with an interesting and unique taste profile or design. Consumer judges deem these spirits as innovative and groundbreaking by highlighting them with this exclusive recognition.

DEM and RI Food Policy Council Announce Nearly $100,000 In Grants To Strengthen Local Food Businesses

Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management

To accelerate growth of Rhode Island’s green economy, the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM), in partnership with the RI Food Policy Council, has awarded $95,949 in grants to 12 local agriculture and food businesses. The awards, funded under the Local Agriculture & Seafood Act (LASA) grant program, help new and existing small businesses and food initiatives take root and prosper in Rhode Island.

“We’re excited to award these grants to help farmers, fishers, and food businesses start or expand their operations in Rhode Island,” said DEM Director Janet Coit. “LASA continues to be an important catalyst in growing a wide range of food and agricultural businesses across our state, and we look forward to celebrating the success of these outstanding initiatives.”

“Each 2019 LASA grant directly benefits and strengthens the local food system in Rhode Island,” said Nessa Richman, Network Director of the RI Food Policy Council. “This unique program helps us reach the ambitious but achievable goals set out in Relish Rhody, the state’s 5-year food strategy.”

Now in its sixth year, LASA has provided over $1.2 million – through grants up to $20,000 – to support the growth of Rhode Island’s local food economy. The state’s food scene is often cited as an area of economic strength ripe for innovation and growth. Already, the local food industry supports 60,000 jobs, and the state’s green industries account for more than 15,000 jobs and contribute $2.5 billion to the economy annually.

The 2019 LASA grant awards include:

BreenBain LLC, Foster, $5,250:
To purchase materials that will be used to construct a mobile produce cooler that can be towed by a pickup truck, keeping vegetables cool and extending their shelf life.

Endless Farm, Johnston, $6,676:
To build 10 energy-efficient, unheated caterpillar tunnels that will be used to produce a consistent, year-round supply of greens and herbs in a low-cost manner.

Chessawanock Island Oysters, Cranston, $16,647:
To implement an innovative oyster farming project that will reduce mortality and increase product desirability using a dual grow-out system and flip-bag technology.

Sweet and Salty Farm, Little Compton, $15,000:
To significantly increase production and sales of cheese and yogurt through the purchase and installation of an ice accumulator that can cool milk rapidly after pasteurization.

The Local Patch, Middletown, $3,087:
To build a walk-in cooler on a small, diversified market garden that will hold harvested produce in half of a 20-foot shipping container until sale.

Warren Cider Works Company, Warren, $15,640:
To increase production of unique, local hard ciders through purchase and installation of improved juice processing equipment.

Roots Farm, Tiverton, $4,725:
To increase productivity though the purchase and implementation of scale-appropriate tools for seeding, transplanting, and cultivation on a small-scale, intensively planted, non-mechanized farm that will help increase productivity, and to share this work with other RI growers through on-farm workshops.

Territorium Farms, North Smithfield, $3,379:
To increase production of local beer, wine, and beer-wine hybrids by installing additional trellises for additional hop and grape production for on-farm beverage production and raw product sales to local homebrewers, breweries, and vineyards.

Seaside Botanicals LLC, Foster, $600:
To create locally-grown herbal products through the purchase and installation of a steam distiller for making essential oils and hydrosols from Rhode Island-grown herbs.

Stony Lane Apiary, Exeter, $3,445:
To build a dedicated, free-standing honey house to process and sell honey and honeybee-related products, and to collaborate with and mentor other beekeepers.

Moonstone Mushrooms, Wakefield, $15,000:
To assist a small-scale mushroom grower to increase production of gourmet culinary and medicinal mushrooms through a move to a larger facility and purchase and installation of upgraded equipment.

Quaintly Farm, Providence, $6,500:
To increase the capacity and volume of produce grown by an urban farm through the purchase and installation of a walk-in cooler and storage shed, and to support the establishment of more farms owned and operated by African-American farmers in Rhode Island.

LASA is funded by the State. In 2019 State funds were supplemented with a $30,000 Senate Legislative Grant sponsored by Senator Susan Sosnowski.

DEM continues to work across many fronts to benefit and strengthen Rhode Island’s green economy and to assist local farmers and fishers in growing their businesses. There are more than 1,000 farms sprinkled across the state and Rhode Island is home to a thriving young farmer network. DEM continues to make investments in critical infrastructure as well as provide farm incubation space to new farmers through its Urban Edge Farm and Snake Den Farm properties. In addition to the above grant awards, $20,000 is directed to DEM to support the state’s local seafood campaign, RI Seafood, and the promotion of local dairy products.

Graze Burgers Opens Patio for the Season

Celebrate Summer with New Menu Items and Sunday Hours in Downtown Westerly

Graze Burgers Mushroom Swiss Burger
Graze Burgers Mushroom Swiss Burger

Graze Burgers, located at 127 Granite Street in Westerly, is welcoming the warmer weather with the opening of its outdoor patio. Guests can enjoy Graze’s famous 100% grass-fed beef burgers, hand-cut fries, frozen custard shakes, beer, wine, and more in the sunshine or under the shade of an umbrella, right in downtown Westerly.  Graze will also be open on Sundays for the season, from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.  For more information, please visit www.grazeri.com. 

In addition, Graze has added three specialty burgers to its menu.  The new burgers are the Mushroom Swiss Burger topped with melted Swiss cheese and sautéed Crimini mushrooms; the Avocado Burger with fresh avocado, ripe tomato and leafy mixed greens; and the Breakfast Burger topped with crispy bacon, an over-easy fried egg, and American cheese.  All start with a quarter pound of 100% grass-fed beef and are served on a brioche bun or in a lettuce pocket. 

For a sweet ending, guests can try the new Cinna-Bomb, a toasted cinnamon cereal-infused soft serve ice cream sundae topped with toasted cinnamon cereal crunchies.

“There’s a lot going on at Graze Burgers, and we are absolutely thrilled to share our delicious, new menu items with our loyal and new customers,” said Kevin Bowdler, Co-Owner, Graze Burgers. “With the opening of our patio and our expanded summer hours, we’re looking forward to making connections with even more members of the community and sharing the benefits of eating locally-sourced, 100% grass-fed beef.”

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