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

Daniele’s New Local Line Wins Two 2014 National Good Food Awards

A new line charcuterie made in Rhode Island from locally raised hogs is the winner of two prestigious national Good Food Awards.

Daniele, Inc.’s Local Del Duca® Prosciutto and Mortadella with Pistachios both received first place awards in the blind taste test by 225 of the nation’s top chefs and food critics.

Daniele’s local line was developed as part of an initiative that supports local farmers and encourages the emergence of a new comprehensive food culture in Rhode Island and nearby states.

Daniele created a local line of charcuterie using pork raised on New England farms. Students from the Rhode Island School of Design designed the New England-­‐inspired label. Chefs from Providence-­‐based Johnson and Wales University helped develop recipes.

The result was an award-­‐winning line of products raised and made in New England. The Good Food Awards recognize American food producers and the farmers who provide the ingredients for pushing their industry towards craftsmanship and sustainability while enhancing the agricultural landscape and building strong communities.

In announcing the winners, the Good Food Awards said those chosen represent some of the country’s best cutting edge culinary talent.

“These awards are a testament of our community’s ability to produce excellence,” said Davide Dukcevich, whose family started Daniele in Rhode Island over 30 years ago. “We created this local line with the hopes of supporting and growing our local farms while also taking advantage of local artists and chefs in our region.”

Small family farms, including RI’s Timberstone and Blackbird Farm raised high quality hogs for use in the new local line.

“Everyone at Blackbird Farm is thrilled for Daniele receiving two Good Food Awards” said The Bouthillette Family, which owns Blackbird Farm. “Daniele’s dedication to using our Heritage Berkshire pork to create the local line charcuterie helps the us to raise more animals -­‐ which grows our business and also helps improve agriculture throughout Rhode Island as we purchase produce and feed from other local farms. Rhode Island is on the path to farming sustainability because of companies like Daniele and their delicious products.”

Daniele and other food producers in the New England region are continuing to focus on locally grown high quality products. This collaborative effort brings together farms, educational facilities, restaurants, chefs, and food manufactures like Daniele creating economic growth around the agriculture and food sector.

“We think it’s exceptional that Daniele Foods, as a multinational food company, has turned its focus, towards local foods in Rhode Island, and connections with local agriculture,” said Kenneth Ayers, Chief of the Division of Agriculture for the State of Rhode Island. “These awards are testimony to that effort. Also this is further evidence of the vibrancy and the economic importance of food in and around Rhode Island.”

$200,000 Available in Public-Private Grant Funding to Strengthen the Local Food System in Rhode Island

Rhode Island Food Policy Council (RIFPC) Members to Serve on Grants Advisory Committee

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM) will be accepting grant applications for the Local Agriculture and Seafood Act (LASA) Grants Program. The Local Agriculture and Seafood Act of 2012 established a grants program within RIDEM’s Division of Agriculture for small or beginning farmers, seafood marketing and organizations/related activities supporting the growth and marketing of local food and seafood in the state.

The LASA Grants Program is made possible by a unique and unprecedented public-private partnership with $100,000 in funding from the State of Rhode Island and $100,000 in matching funds from the van Beuren Charitable Foundation, the Henry P. Kendall Foundation and the Rhode Island Foundation.

The LASA Grants Program Advisory Committee, established to advise and assist the RIDEM in matters related to the LASA Grants Program, will be chaired by the Chief of the Division of Agriculture and will have two members representing the RI Food Policy Council, David Dadekian and Sheila Brush.

LASA Grants Program application materials will be released on February 15 with an April 1 deadline to apply. Please refer to the RIDEM and the RIFPC websites for further information.

More Than 30 Participants to Extend Providence Restaurant Weeks

Providence Restaurant Weeks may be in full swing until Jan. 18 but more than 30 of the participants are thinking ahead, deciding to extend the promotion through at least Saturday, Jan. 25.

“Due to the positive response, nearly half of the participating restaurants are extending until January 25. Some may be extending even further,” said Kristen Adamo, vice president of marketing and communications for the Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau, which runs the event. “If you are interested in visiting a particular restaurant that is extending, it’s best to check their individual website to find out how long they will be continuing the promotion.”

Restaurants who have committed to extending until at least January 25 include:

2 Pauls City Grille
Amici
Blue Grotto
Bonefish Grill
Café Nuovo
Caffe Dolce Vita
The Capital Grille
CAV
Chez Pascal
Don Jose Tequillas
Duck & Bunny
Elizabeth’s of Portofino
Fire & Ice
Flemings
Fred & Steve’s
Geppettos
Hourglass Brassiere
India
Kartabar
Legal Seafood
Libations
Matunuck Oyster Bar
McCormick & Schmick’s
Mediterraneo
Pane E Vino
Paragon
Redlefsen’s
RiRa
Sawaddee
Snookers
Vanity
Vintage
Wicked Good

Providence Restaurant Weeks officially runs now through January 18. Participating restaurants offer a three-course, prix fixe lunch for $14.95 and a three-course, prix fixe dinner for $29.95, with some restaurants offering two-for-one specials. For a list of participating restaurants and their menus, visit www.ProvidenceRestaurantWeeks.com.

Disclosure: the owner of  Eat Drink RI, David Dadekian, is both a part of Blackbird Farm and a Rhode Island Food Policy Council member.