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Chair 2 Light Beers
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News Bites: Chair 2 Launches Two New Flavors / New CCRI Environmental Degree Program / Granny Squibb’s Newest Flavor / Hope’s Harvest Joins Farm Fresh RI / Foolproof Brewing Company Joins Mission Beverage

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.

Chair 2 Light Beer Launches 2 New Light Flavors

Chair 2 Light Wheat and Light IPA – New 99 Calorie Offerings from Sons of Liberty

Chair 2 Light Beers
Chair 2 Light Beers

Chair 2 Light Beer, a brand by Rhode Island’s Sons of Liberty Beer & Spirits Co., is making waves with its two latest offerings – Chair 2 Light IPA and Chair 2 Light Wheat. The entire Chair 2 Light Beer line, including the light lager, is 4.3% abv, 99 calories per can, and available throughout Rhode Island.

The light IPA (55 IBUS) offers a bouquet of hop aromas followed by a bright and balanced flavor profile that gives IPA lovers what they’re looking for without weighing them down. The light wheat is brewed with orange peel to deliver a refreshing hit of citrus, but is careful not to be a fruit bomb, relying more on the beer itself to do the heavy lifting. 

“We’re very excited to see these two new flavors in everyone’s coolers,” said Bryan Ricard, Chair 2’s Brand Manager. “They definitely fall in line with our simple vision of ‘light beer that tastes like beer’.”

Chair 2 Light Lager, the flagship beer, was named USA’s Best Light Lager at the World Beer Awards in 2021, shortly after its launch. “We’ve taken the same approach with the new flavors as we did with the lager. That’s to make clean, crushable, high-quality beers that aren’t over the top, just easy-drinking,” explained Wil Santiago, Chair 2’s Beerologist. Rhode Islanders are catching on production of Chair 2 has increased to meet demand.

All 3 beers are brewed and packaged at Isle Brewers Guild (IBG) in Pawtucket, RI. “It was important for us to keep this in Rhode Island,” President and Founder, Mike Reppucci, explained, “and Isle has been an excellent partner.” IBG works with many well-established brands such as Narragansett and Night Shift. To follow the latest on and find retailers for Chair 2 Light Beer, visit chair2.com. Or follow on Facebook at Facebook.com/chair2beer and Instagram at @chair2beer.

New Associate degree program at CCRI in “Environment, Sustainability, and Management”

Innovative collaboration with Rhode Island Nursery & Landscape Association and Rhode Island Food Policy Council provides a clear path toward careers in RI’s growing land and sea industries

Environment, Sustainability and Management Associate Degree at CCRI, photo credit: RINLA
Environment, Sustainability and Management Associate Degree at CCRI, photo credit: RINLA

Rhode Island needs a workforce that can meet the current and future needs of the state’s flourishing land and sea businesses, which compose a sector that is quickly rising to the top of the state’s strongest economic drivers. 

A new associate degree in Environment, Sustainability, and Management created by the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) is a first-of-its-kind program that will prepare students for careers in these industries – including the landscape, farm and food sectors – and arm them with the perspective they need to meet social, economic, and ecological challenges of the world and of business today.

The development of this associate degree program was supported by a grant from the Agriculture Workforce Development Program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

“This new degree program is a perfect example of industry and policy leaders collaborating with higher education to design and implement an academic and career pathway that responds to labor market demands,” said Meghan Hughes, president of CCRI. “The green economy continues to show tremendous growth in Rhode Island, and CCRI, along with our partners at URI, RINLA, and RIFPC, is committed to providing high-quality, rigorous academic and experiential learning opportunities that will prepare Rhode Islanders for great careers right here in the Ocean State.”

This interdisciplinary program blends science and business; provides work-based learning opportunities for credit; includes courses in Business, Biology, Entrepreneurship, Oceanography, Geology, Economics, Chemistry, and Communications; and positions graduates to chart successful career paths and have important impacts on the social and environmental profiles of the companies for which they work. Graduates will have immediate career opportunities, and can also transfer seamlessly as juniors to the University of Rhode Island’s bachelor’s degree programs in Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems, Plant Sciences, and other programs in the College of the Environment and Life Sciences (CELS). 

“The new Environment, Sustainability, and Management degree will educate the next generation of professionals charged with stewarding, protecting, and responding to a changing environment and for producing food for our community,” said Rosemary A. Costigan, vice president for academic affairs at CCRI.  “In response to industry need, a number of our college’s faculty created new curricula based in science and business such as Biology of Trees and Shrubs, Food from the Sea, and the Human Environmental Impacts and Ethical Business Practices capstone course.”

The Rhode Island Nursery & Landscape Association (RINLA) and the Rhode Island Food Policy Council (RIFPC) collaborated closely with CCRI and advisors from URI to inform the development of this exciting program of study at the intersection of environmental, social, and economic sustainability; agriculture, food, and ecological systems; business ethics; entrepreneurial thinking and processes; land and resource management methods; and impacts of climate change on ecologies, businesses, and industries. 

Shannon Brawley, Executive Director of RINLA and Nessa Richman, Network Director of the RIFPC jointly stated, “This exciting new, interdisciplinary degree program will support the public, private, and nonprofit employers we serve by preparing people to enter these industries by ensuring they have relevant classroom experiences and work-based learning opportunities.” 

Fall classes start August 31, 2022. Enrollment is now open. All Rhode Islanders who want the knowledge, skills, perspective and experiences to impact the social, economic, and ecological challenges of today’s world are encouraged to register. Additional information can be found on CCRI’s website: ccri.edu/pathways/paths/environment

Granny Squibb’s Announces New Organic Iced Tea Flavor, Partnership, and Expansion in Massachusetts Just in Time for National Iced Tea Month

Granny Squibb’s is releasing Porter’s Peach with a portion of the proceeds going Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Jimmy Fund

Granny Squibb's Organic Iced Tea

Today, Granny Squibb’s Organic Iced Tea announced the release of its newest flavor, Porter’s Peach. Further solidifying their commitment to growth in New England with a portion of sales going to their newest philanthropic partner the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Jimmy Fund, and expansion into Roche Bros. 

“Porter’s Peach is the first new flavor we’ve brought to market since before the pandemic. It was created from a beautiful story, which continues our passion for storytelling and philanthropy,” said Kelley McShane, Partner and Owner of Granny Squibb’s. 

Porter’s Peach was the brainchild of a family friend, a twelve-year-old, named Porter from Aquidneck Island, R.I. In Spring 2020, in an effort to boost morale Porter sent a drawing of his idea for the “best Granny Squibb’s flavor, Porter’s Peach.” During the same year, Porter and his family faced multiple losses to cancer triggering Porter to raise $10,000 for cancer research and paving the way for Granny Squibb’s to work with Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Jimmy Fund to help continue Porter’s mission. 

“The story of Porter’s Peach and the generosity of Granny Squibb’s company touches us as an organization,” said Alexa Woodward, VP of Corporate Partnerships at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. “We know that we impact the lives of so many people right here in New England and beyond. It’s through the work of our supporters that we’re able to continue our mission of treating cancer and continuing to research and develop the latest in new treatments.”

Granny Squibb deeply believes in being part of the community, supporting the people around them. Having supported the Jimmy Fund for more than three years, the addition of Porter’s Peach provides the financial avenue to grow their philanthropy in Massachusetts and deepen partnerships as they grow into greater New England. 

The announcement of Porter’s Peach and the Dana Farber Cancer Institute couldn’t be timelier as Granny Squibb’s expands into all twenty Roche Bros stores in Massachusetts. Now consumers can easily purchase Granny Squibb’s products and know they are supporting local causes.

“At Roche Bros we are committed to providing our shoppers with an array of local and organic products to choose from making the addition of Granny Squibb’s a perfect fit. We are happy to be expanding our partnership with a company that also focuses on providing the best customer experience,” said Tristen Kendall-Barros, Vice President of Marketing for Roche Bros. 

Hope’s Harvest Joins Farm Fresh RI to Provide Hunger Relief Programming

Farm Fresh Rhode Island and Hope’s Harvest are proud to announce that as of June 2022, Hope’s Harvest is officially the home for all hunger relief programming at Farm Fresh RI. 

Hunger in Rhode Island is a significant problem that has only increased in severity and scope in recent years. At the same time, local food producers in the state have seen increased demand, but also volatility in markets and challenges due to erratic weather patterns, shifts in purchasing at a national scale, and other national and global forces. 

Farm Fresh RI, a nonprofit that’s been working to strengthen the local food system since 2004,  has been a champion for local farmers/producers and an infrastructural driver of a re-localizing food system over the past 18 years. Hope’s Harvest, a relative newcomer, has filled an important niche in the RI food system by connecting farmers to hunger relief agencies, promoting food security and non-traditional market access to the emergency food system. 

Hope’s Harvest has been an independent but fiscally sponsored program of Farm Fresh RI since 2018. This sponsorship enabled Hope’s Harvest to accept donations and grants under the Farm Fresh 501c3 nonprofit status. Farm Fresh mentored growth at Hope’s Harvest and provided infrastructure support, like trucks and cold storage, as well as a place to call home when the Hope’s Harvest team parked their trucks and came in from the field. 

“As our program grew, it became apparent that combining Hope’s Harvest and Farm Fresh models and infrastructure would best leverage our assets and public/private partnerships,” explains Hope’s Harvest Founder and Director Eva Agudelo. “Together we can create targeted solutions for both food insecurity and increasingly volatile markets for farmers. We’re excited about all of the collaborations to come — delivering the highest quality of locally grown food to hunger relief agencies and alleviating food insecurity in Rhode Island.”

What does this change mean for Hope’s Harvest? 
By joining Farm Fresh RI’s infrastructure, Hope’s Harvest is building capacity to deliver local gleaned produce to an additional 20 hunger relief agencies via Farm Fresh’s existing Market Mobile local food ordering service. The Hope’s Harvest team will also be administering the Senior Farmer Market Nutrition program and the Local Food Purchasing Assistance program in partnership with the RI Department of Environmental Management.

What does it mean for Hope’s Harvest gleaning volunteers? 
Out in the fields, the Hope’s Harvest team still aims to glean as much food this year as ever! They plan to harvest with even more local farms, and encourage the community to join them out in the fields this season. Learn more about opportunities to volunteer with Hope’s Harvest: www.farmfreshri.org/hopesharvest.

At a Glance: Hope’s Harvest for Hunger Relief at Farm Fresh RI
The Hope’s Harvest program at Farm Fresh RI will include: 

GLEANING 
— Recruiting and mobilizing volunteers to recover surplus food from farms for donation to hunger relief agencies.

DIRECT PURCHASING FOR HUNGER RELIEF
— Surplus Purchasing: Direct purchasing of surplus farm produce for distribution to hunger relief agencies and community partners.

— Contracts for Hunger Relief: Negotiating and administering contracts with growers to ensure a steady supply of fresh, nutritious produce for the emergency food system at competitive wholesale rates.

— Farm to Pantry via Market Mobile: A streamlined system and subsidized purchasing for community partners to order locally grown products for their guests. 

SENIOR FARMERS MARKET NUTRITION PROGRAM 
— Source and pack locally grown produce to meet the needs of older adults throughout RI in partnership with the RI Department of Environmental Management.

ADVOCACY AND PARTNERSHIPS 
— Working with strategic partners in the nonprofit and government sectors to ensure ongoing support for these initiatives as a commitment to supporting public infrastructure for healthy food access.

Foolproof Brewing Company is Now Distributed by Mission Beverage

As of June 2022 Foolproof Brewing Company is now being distributed in Rhode Island by new distributors in the business, Mission Beverage. Mission beverage was started by Kyle Michaud and Nate Costa. After meeting during a fire department fundraising event, Kyle and Nate bonded over their passion for craft beer and began brainstorming ways to collaborate together in the beer industry. Thus began their mission toward starting a distribution company. Mission Beverage officially moved their first case of beer in February 2022. Mission looks to bring the same tenacity to the brands they wish to distribute as they did when starting their business. “We take pride in our partnerships to help grow the brands to get from one level to the next level up,” says Nate Costa.

Foolproof Brewing Company signed with Mission Beverage as their new distributors in Rhode Island in June 2022. Along with this agreement, Mission will also be distributing Foolproof’s sister brands under the Brewery Collective. This includes Shebeen Brewing Company, originally started in Connecticut and moved production to Rhode Island in February. Soon to follow will be the Brewery Collective’s newest Connecticut brand, Velvet Libations, which just opened on St. Patrick’s Day of this year. “We’re focused on distributing in Rhode Island right now and bringing in brands that aren’t in Rhode Island yet.”, says Kyle Michaud, and Velvet Libations will be no exception.

Want to see Foolproof or Shebeen Brewing Company products near you? Contact Mission Beverage and support Rhode Island locally. Email: info@missionbev.co To learn more about the Brewery Collective, visit www.brewerycollective.com. To learn more about Mission Beverage visit www.missionbev.co.

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Newport Vineyards Puerto Rico Fundraiser
chefs & restaurantsnewswine & drinks

News Bites: Newport Vineyards for Puerto Rico / Bon Me Opens / Hope & Main App / Rhode Island Quahog Week

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.

Newport Vineyards Cultivate Committee Raises over $8,000 For Puerto Rico Recovery Efforts

Newport Vineyards Puerto Rico Fundraiser. Photo by Marianne Lee Photography.
Newport Vineyards Puerto Rico Fundraiser. Photo by Marianne Lee Photography.

Newport Vineyards, an award winning winery located in beautiful Middletown, RI, raised over $8,000 for Puerto Rico recovery efforts via their Una Noche Para Puerto Rico event put on by the Cultivate Committee. Born out of the passion of Newport Vineyards employees who have immediate family and friends in Puerto Rico that have been devastated by the storms in 2017, over 200 guests were welcomed to the event held on Friday, February 23, 2018.

The over $8,000 raised is being split between the Mark E. Curry Family Foundation – Cosa Nuestra’s Hurricane Relief Fund, who’s goal is to feed warm meals to those who are still in need and get small restaurants back on their feet. The organization will use 100% of funds raised to pay local restaurants and local chefs to produce meals that will be delivered to those in need. The funds will also go to help rebuild La Estación in Fajardo, Puerto Rico, the restaurant owned by Chef Kevin Roth, who is a long time friend of Newport Vineyards Executive Chef Andy Texeira.

Guest chef’s Chef Kevin Roth of La Estación in Puerto Rico, and Chef Giovanna Huyke of La Fabrica Central in Cambridge, MA joined Newport Vineyards Executive Chef Andy Texeira’s culinary team in creating truly authentic Puerto Rican fare including; Pork Pinchos, Matahambre and a Lechon Station. Maris Corujo, Newport Vineyards Event Manager, worked with Narciso Moreno, Sales Director of Puerto Rican Tourism Company, who helped procure jaw-dropping silent auction items including a grand prize trip to Puerto Rico that encompassed airfare, hotel and attraction vouchers. Silent auction, as well as food and beverage sponsors included; Don Q Rum, Goya, Foley Fish, Newport Storm/Thomas Tew Rum, Rail Explorers, ESJ Azul Hotel, TRYP by Wyndham, Courtyard Marriott Miramar, The Water Club Hotel, JetBlue. The night was a celebration of Puerto Rican culture, and included dancing to the music of Robertico Y su Alebreke of Providence.

Founded by brothers John & Paul Nunes in 1995, Newport Vineyards 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 year-round public activities.

The Newport Vineyards Cultivate Committee is a team of employees who strive to do good, give back and be green through volunteer, charitable and sustainable efforts.

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

Introducing the Hope & Main App

Hope & Main app screenshot
Hope & Main app screenshot

Rhode Island’s first food business incubator is bringing its small businesses online with a virtual “Makers Market.”

Hope & Main has partnered with Providence-based food technology company Crave Food Systems to create its custom online marketplace – the Hope & Main app. The app will allow shoppers to discover new favorite makers, pre-order their desired items and select convenient pickup locations, all in support of Rhode Island’s local food economy.

The app will complement the suite of resources Hope & Main offers the food entrepreneurs who grow their businesses in the former school house on Main Street in Warren. Hope & Main provides a broad suite of technical support and industry resources to give members a distinct advantage in a competitive marketplace. Frequent community events, farmers markets and trade shows foster a robust variety of connections with both retail and wholesale consumers year-round. The app will amplify this approach, significantly boosting makers’ access to a range of customers otherwise unreachable.

“We are witnessing major disruption in the food industry, and Crave Food Systems is at the leading edge of the an important trend: shortening the supply chain in food retailing,” Lisa Raiola, founder and president of Hope & Main said. “Amazon is certainly the best example of this, but has offered no path for local producers. That is why we are so excited to partner with Crave Food Systems. This app puts the power of purchasing local directly into the hands of the consumer. No distributor or grocery store shelf necessary. We love that it will connect Hope & Main makers to the consumers who are seeking their products at farmers markets across the state.”

While offering eaters new access to a wide variety Rhode Island made goods, the Hope & Main app is also a powerful eCommerce tool to strengthen entrepreneur’s growing businesses, at no cost to them. To make business more sustainable for makers, the app charges no signup, transaction or credit card processing fees. It has the potential to directly strengthen Rhode Island’s food economy by making it more convenient for Rhode Islanders to buy local.

“Hope & Main has been the foundation for so many amazing food businesses in our state – and Crave Food System’s unique technology will help their members reach new customers and markets,” Sue AnderBois, director of food strategy for the State of Rhode Island, said. “Partnerships between food businesses like these are part of what makes Rhode Island’s food economy so vibrant and innovative.”

To get a taste of some of the best Rhode Island-made goods from the convenience of a mobile device, anyone can now download the Hope & Main app for iOS or Android.

About Hope & Main: Hope & Main is a nonprofit food business incubator on a mission to help local entrepreneurs jump-start early-stage food companies and food related businesses by providing low-cost, low-risk access to shared-use commercial kitchens and other industry-specific technical resources. Hope & Main’s goal is to help grow the local food economy by creating a community of support for food entrepreneurs and cultivating an environment where emerging culinary startups can test, create, scale and thrive.

About Crave Food Systems: Crave Food Systems Corporation (CFS), established in 2014, is a food technology company that brings eCommerce and marketing tools to farmers, fishermen, artisans and the local communities they serve. CFS believes the right technology can open the door to healthier food for all.

Bon Me Opens Food Truck in Providence

Miso-Braised Pulled Pork Rice Noodle Salad
Miso-Braised Pulled Pork Rice Noodle Salad

Bon Me, an award-winning Boston-based food-truck-and-restaurant company will start serving its Asian-inspired eats in Providence on March 14th. They will be bringing their food truck to Brown University starting Wednesday and to Kennedy Plaza on March 27th.

Bon Me’s menu features dishes with bold flavors, fresh vegetables, and housemade dressings. From their customizable menu, you can order a sandwich, rice bowl, or noodle salad with tasty proteins like spice-rubbed chicken or miso-braised pulled pork. They also have a full lineup of housemade drinks, including a special new drink that’s exclusive to their Providence food truck. To honor their new locale, they created the Dirty Chai in collaboration with Rhode Island-based New Harvest Coffee Roasters.

To celebrate their grand opening at Brown, Bon Me invites you to come out on Wednesday, March 14th from 11:30 am-2:30 pm for a free taste of their signature sandwich. They will be handing out half-portions of their take on the classic banh mi with your choice of Chinese barbecue pork or roasted paprika tofu.

For their grand opening at Kennedy Plaza on March 27th 11 am-2 pm, the socially conscious food truck will partner with the Rhode Island Community Food Bank. Customers will be encouraged to “pay what you want” and all proceeds will be donated to the non-profit, which works “to improve the quality of life for all Rhode Islanders by advancing solutions to the problem of hunger”.

Following the grand openings, you can find the bright yellow truck slinging sandwiches on Waterman Street by Brown University on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 11:30 am-2:30 pm and at Kennedy Plaza on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11 am-2 pm.

Rhode Island Kicks Off Third Annual Quahog Week on March 26

Quahog Week 2018
Quahog Week 2018

Governor Raimondo – along with Senator Jack Reed, Congressman Jim Langevin, the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) and other partners – will kick off the 3rd Annual Rhode Island Quahog Week with a special launch event at Save The Bay in Providence on Monday. Quahog Week, which runs March 26 to April 1, highlights the importance of Rhode Island’s wild shellfish harvest to the state’s history, traditions, and economy.

WHERE:
Save The Bay
100 Save The Bay Drive
Providence, Rhode Island

WHEN:
Monday, March 26, 2018
12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

At the launch event, local shellfishermen will be on hand to educate guests about their profession. Guests will also enjoy a raw bar courtesy of the Rhode Island Shellfisherman’s Association, and creative preparations of the quahog, courtesy of participating local restaurants including Easy Entertaining, Eli’s Kitchen, Matunuck Oyster Bar, and Nicks On Broadway. Beverages will be provided by Rhode Island’s own Yacht Club Soda.

Rhode Island is known for its food and diverse food cultures. Our booming local food sector supports more than 60,000 jobs and continues to attract and inspire the imagination of entrepreneurs and innovators. The local fishing industry has been, and continues to be, a vital part of the equation. The commercial industry, which includes both wild harvest and aquaculture operations, generates close to $200 million in annual sales, supports nearly 7,000 jobs, and generates about $150 million in annual income. Last year, more than 22 million quahogs (off-the-boat value of $5 million) were harvested from Narragansett Bay and local coastal waters. To support continued industry growth, the state, along with its partners, developed the RI Seafood brand to uniquely identify local seafood in the marketplace and to provide a brand under which local seafood events and activities can take place.

As part of the week, participating restaurants and markets will feature quahog-inspired menu items and deals. Among the special menu items are quahog carbonara at The Mooring in Newport; quahog bruchetta at Trio in Narragansett; littlenecks, clams casino, and littlenecks with chourico at Matunuck Oyster Bar in South Kingstown; quahogs over angel hair tossed in red or white sauce at Harmony Lodge in Harmony; New England clam chowder with quahog cakes at Federal Taphouse and Kitchen in Providence; and unique versions of stuffed quahogs at 22 Bowen’s in Newport, Gulf Stream Bar & Grille in Portsmouth, Hemenway’s in Providence, Providence Oyster Bar in Providence, 15 Point Road in Portsmouth, and Plouffe’s in Pawtucket.

Quahog Week partners include Blackstone Valley Tourism Council, Brown University Dining Services, Dave’s Marketplace, Discover Newport, Eat Drink RI, Eating with the Ecosystem, Go Providence, Narragansett Bay Lobsters, RI Commerce, RI Department of Environmental Management, RI Shellfisherman’s Association, Save The Bay, and the University of Rhode Island.

For more information about Quahog Week and/or a list of participating restaurants and markets, visit www.seafoodri.com or @RISeafoodRocks on Facebook. Join the conversation in social media, using #QuahogWeek.

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chefs & restaurantsfarmsnewswine & drinks

News Bites: Bristol Oyster Bar Oyster Madness / Quahog Week 2017 / March Madness at Pawtucket Wintertime Farmers Market / Trio Reopened and Avvio Brunch

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.

Bristol Oyster Bar Presents Oyster Madness

Bristol Oyster BarThe Bristol Oyster Bar, “The Home of Rhode Island’s Finest Oysters” in partnership with The Ocean State Shellfish Cooperative, and MS WALKER RI are proud to announce “Oyster Madness.” Bristol Oyster Bar has set up a tournament style bracket pitting oyster farms from across the Ocean State against one another. Oyster Madness will begin on Tuesday March 7th at 6pm at The Bristol Oyster Bar located at 448 Hope St Bristol, RI 02809 and continue each subsequent Tuesday at 6pm until the “Championshuck” conclusion on Tuesday April 4th at 6 pm.

The tournament is made up of 16 oyster farms and it’s played one-and-done style. The farms are seeded 1 through 8 and sorted into 2 regions. Each round the numbers shrink, going from the “Briny & Sweet 16” all the way to the “Championshuck”. The oysters will be served at the Bristol Oyster Bar in a blind tasting format. Participants that partake in the blind tasting will be required to fill out a scorecard selecting which oysters they prefer. All of the votes will be tallied each week until a final champion is selected.

There are two ways to participate. The first way is to fill out a bracket available February 1, 2017 at www.bristoloysterbar.com and email it to scott@bristoloysterbar.com or come and drop it off at the Bristol Oyster Bar. The second way is to fill out a bracket and to come and participate in the blind tastings. There will be weekly prizes for a best brackets and 2 grand prizes for top score. Complete prizes, rules and regulations will be available February 1, 2017 at www.bristoloysterbar.com.

Download an Oyster Madness Bracket

2nd Annual Quahog Week Kicks Off March 20

Quahog Week 2017

Quahog Week, which made its debut last year, returns March 20 – March 25, 2017. The week-long celebration highlights the importance of Rhode Island’s wild harvest shellfish to the state’s history, traditions, and economy. As part of the week, participating restaurants and markets will feature quahog-inspired menu items and deals, and Quahog Week partners will hold special events.

“Whenever I go out to eat, I look for Rhode Island shellfish,” said DEM Director Janet Coit. “I know I’m not alone. Our flavorful clams and oysters are enjoyed all over the world. And going out on the water with our local fishermen has made me appreciate all the more the hard work and dedication at the heart of our fishing industry. Quahog Week is our opportunity to step back and celebrate our wild harvest shellfish – as well as our state’s amazing array of eateries. I look forward to sampling the many tasty dishes that will be featured by our partner restaurants as well as preparing some of my own at home. I hope everyone joins in the fun during Quahog Week – and beyond.”

Rhode Island is known for its food and diverse food cultures. The state’s booming local food sector supports more than 60,000 jobs and continues to attract and inspire the imagination of entrepreneurs and innovators. The local fishing industry has been, and continues to be, a vital part of the equation. Thousands of land- and water-based businesses are supported by the industry. And local favorites like the quahog “stuffie” are enjoyed by people near and far.

Last year, more than 100 million pounds of seafood arrived to a local port – with an export value over $1 billion. And more than 28 million quahogs (off-the-boat value of $5.5 million) were harvested from Narragansett Bay and Rhode Island coastal waters. To support continued industry growth, the State, along with its partners, developed the RI Seafood brand to uniquely identify local seafood in the marketplace and to provide a brand under which local seafood events and activities can take place.

Quahogging has a rich history locally, supporting the livelihoods of hundreds of fishers year-round as well as serving as a treasured pastime for Rhode Island families. Quahog Week will highlight this history and value through several planned events, including a kick-off celebration at Save The Bay in Providence on Monday, March 20 and a wrap party on Saturday, March 25 at the new headquarters of Narragansett Beer in Pawtucket. For more information on planned programming or to sign up as a Quahog Week partner or participating venue, visit www.seafoodri.com.

Quahog Week partners include Dave’s Marketplace, Discover Newport, Eat Drink RI, Go Providence, Isle Brewers Guild, Johnson & Wales University, Narragansett Beer, RI Commerce, RI Department of Environmental Management, RI Shellfishermen’s Association, Save The Bay, and the University of Rhode Island.

March Madness at the Pawtucket Wintertime Farmers Market

March can be a challenging month for local farmers. It signals the start of a long thaw after winter and the beginning of planning for next season’s harvest. Shopping at farmers markets is a great way to support local farms year-round. But March is a time of year when local farmers need your business and support most of all.

To celebrate these local heroes, Farm Fresh Rhode Island is hosting a month of special events at the Pawtucket Wintertime Farmers Market, called March Madness. Shop at the market every Saturday in March to enjoy fun events like cooking demos, take advantage of seasonal sales, and participate in a one-of-a-kind scavenger hunt for a chance to win prizes valued at over $300! Participating in March Madness is a great way to support local agriculture, empower small businesses and build vibrant community with local food at the center of every table.

March Madness: A Month of Free Events
Demos and Food Pairing to be held in the New Harvest Coffee Roasters Training Room, Hope Artiste Village Suite 110, during the farmers market.

  • Every Saturday in March, 9a-1p – Scavenger Hunt through the Market!
  • March 4, 10a – Cooking Demo by Harvest Kitchen
  • March 11, 10a – Cooking with Kimchi Demo & Tasting by Chi Kitchen
  • March 18, 9:30a – Beer and Food Pairing by Hope & Main and Bucket Brewery
  • March 25, 10a – Cooking Demo by the African Alliance of Rhode Island

What to Expect (Just like that other “Final Four”)

  • Baskets… of delicious produce to feature on your dinner table!
  • Dunks… of fresh baked-goods into steamy, locally roasted coffee!
  • Hoops… used to support greenhouses that make winter harvests possible!
  • Nets… that harvest fresh-caught seafood from our region’s waters!

The Pawtucket Wintertime Farmers Market is open every Saturday, 9a–1p, until April 29. Located in two spacious hallways of the Hope Artiste Village in Pawtucket, RI, it is easily accessed via the R-Line bus and parking is provided. farmfreshri.org/winter

Trio Reopens with Enhanced Menu and Expanded Bar

After closing briefly for renovations, Trio restaurant, located at 15 Kingstown Road in Narragansett, RI, will welcome guests back to the seaside restaurant on February 9 (weather permitting) with an enhanced menu and an expanded bar space. For more information on Trio and to see the full menu, please visit the website at www.trio-ri.com

Located in the sandy shoreline community of Narragansett, Trio brings a relaxed, sociable vibe to its newly-expanded bar area, perfect for community get-togethers, raw bar and cocktails or a leisurely dinner on a stroll through town. Locals and visitors alike will enjoy this year-round, go-to spot for the familiar comfort, fresh flavors and trusted hospitality of Trio.

Trio’s cuisine, conceived by Executive Chef Walter Slater, is inspired by local and regional flavors. The menu contains a unique selection of shareable appetizers, fresh salads, distinctive pizzas, house-made pastas, New England seafood, and simple, wood-fire grilled entrees, and is complemented by an extensive, global wine list, a beer menu featuring regional drafts plus an assortment of bottles, and a creative, one-of-a-kind cocktail menu.

Diners will find an array of new appetizers including Littleneck Stuffies with chourico, bread crumbs, parsley and lemon zest; Parmesan Truffle Fries with garlic aioli; Raw vs. Roasted with roasted red and yellow beets with radish, feta, almonds, cucumber, carrots and citrus vinaigrette; Hummus Flatbread featuring garlic-white bean hummus, cucumber, tomato, red onion, olives and feta; Rosemary + Sea Salt Chips with roasted onion dip; Jonah Crab Dip with avocado, cucumber and house-made crostini; as well as traditional favorites including Antipasto, Fried Galilee Calamari, and an assortment of raw bar and soups. 

New pizza and sandwich selections feature BBQ Chicken pizza with grilled red onion, bbq sauce, cheddar and mozzarella cheeses, and chives; a Turkey Club with house-roasted turkey breast, bacon, Bibb lettuce, tomato, and mayonnaise on toasted Pullman loaf bread and served with French fries; and a Grilled Chicken Sandwich on a ciabatta bun with fontina cheese, arugula, pesto, roasted red peppers and French fries. Guest favorites remain on the menu and feature the Lobster Roll, Sunset Farm Burger, and several pizza varieties. 

In addition to long-time favorite Linguini + Clams, Trio has added several new pasta dishes to its menu including Bolognese with house-made rigatoni, braised veal, beef and pork, tomato, red wine, cream, ricotta salata and basil; Grilled Shrimp Risotto with fresh peas, squash, parmesan, Arborio rice and lemon-butter sauce; Venda Lobster Tortelloni with lobster meat, arugula, fennel-tarragon cream sauce; and Chicken Alfredo with fettuccini, pulled chicken, broccoli, grape tomatoes, roasted garlic, parmesan cream sauce and arugula. 

The newly-created ‘Dishes’ section features Grilled Salmon with roasted root vegetables, kale, quinoa, and butternut squash puree; Steak Frites with marinated flat iron steak, mixed greens salad, and creamy horseradish-blue cheese sauce; Filet Mignon, featuring an 8 oz. filet, mashed potatoes, Brussels sprouts, mushrooms, and black pepper-demi glace; Baffoni Farm Chicken featuring a roasted half-bird, mashed potatoes, Brussels sprouts, mushrooms and thyme jus; and Chicken Parmesan with linguini. 

An assortment of salads and new side dishes are also on Trio’s menu.

Beverage choices include draft and bottled beer offerings from local breweries including Narragansett Lager, Whaler’s Brewing Hazelnut Stout and East Coast IPA, Maryann’s Ginger Spice Ale, Fool Proof’s Backyahd IPA, Grey Sail Brewing’s Flagship Cream Ale, Samuel Adams Hopscape, and Citizen Cider Unified Press.  A full wine list by the glass and bottle, and craft cocktail list is also available.

Food and drink selections are offered throughout Trio’s dining spaces including its traditional dining room, cobblestone patio with shaded tables, and around the newly renovated bar space, a welcoming spot to share a bite, a drink and a colorful story.

Avvio Ristorante Welcomes the Weekend with New Brunch Menu

Hearty Italian Dishes and Hand-Crafted Cocktails are the Perfect Weekend Recipe

Avvio's Steak Benedict

Avvio’s Steak Benedict

Avvio Ristorante, located at 90 Hillside Road in Garden City Center, is pleased to announce a new brunch menu, available Saturdays and Sundays from 11:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  For more information or to make a reservation, please call 401-942-2900 or visit www.avvioristorante.com.

Brunch at Avvio begins with a selection of fresh squeezed juices, including lemonade, orange, and grapefruit ($3-$4); espresso, cappuccino, latte, and coffee ($3-$4); and hand-crafted brunch cocktails, including the Charred Grapefruit Mimosa with prosecco, charred-grapefruit syrup, and grapefruit juice; the Avvio Bloody Mary with vodka, house Bloody Mary mix, a seasoned rim, and pickled vegetables; the Melograno Peroni with Peroni and pomegranate liquor over ice; and the La Fioritura Spritzer: moscato, orange blossom water, and soda ($8-$10). 

Avvio’s brunch dishes ($10-$19), which will quell both savory and sweet cravings, include the Day Break Panini: stirred egg, fontina, double thick smoked bacon, black pepper aioli, toasted ciabatta, home fries; Belgian Waffle with warm local maple syrup, seasonal berries, and powdered sugar; Melon & Prosciutto Salad: cantaloupe and honey dew with crispy prosciutto, baby arugula, ricotta salata, and a white balsamic vinaigrette; pulled Baffoni Farms Chicken Hash with wood-roasted vegetables, butternut squash, Yukon gold potatoes, and two poached eggs topped with hollandaise sauce and grilled country loaf; a Veggie Frittata with tomato, asparagus, wood roasted mushrooms, home fries, and grilled bread; Green Eggs & Ham: stirred egg, arugula pesto, speck, fontina cheese, toasted ciabatta, home fries; Steak Benedict: poached eggs, tomato, and flat iron steak served with grilled focaccia, hollandaise, and home fries; and a Breakfast Pizza topped with mascarpone, mozzarella, grilled red onion, pancetta, marinated tomatoes, scrambled eggs, and basil.

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News Bites: Preppy Pig BBQ Brunch / Sons of Liberty Spirits New Seasonal Release / RI DEM Announces New Agriculture Grant Awards

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.

Preppy Pig BBQ, Named Rhode Island’s Best BBQ By Thrillist, Announces Brunch At Their Warren Location

Preppy Pig BBQ

Lots of restaurants offer Brunch, but no one is doing it quite like Preppy Pig BBQ in Warren. Beginning Sunday, November 6th from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., a brand new brunch experience begins. Known for its easy, low and slow lifestyle, BBQ has barely crossed into the uncharted New England waters and owner Patrick Boylan DeSocio is doing it right. With custom smokers, quality meats and sides, and a dedicated staff of barbecue enthusiasts, Preppy Pig has received local, regional and national recognition, and for good reason. The menu is classic, authentic and brings people together – just the way a good BBQ joint should.

Brunch at Preppy Pig will feature savory favorites such as Briskets & Gravy with sausage gravy over homemade buttermilk biscuits, a Pulled Pork Benedict on griddle fried cornbread with beef fat potato hash & dressed arugula, and a Monte Cristo Sandwich with house cured ham or bacon, topped with pulled pork, melted Swiss cheese, and caramelized onions on a sweet Portuguese bolo. Also, Preppy Pig is collaborating with the enormously successful PVDonuts to create the Ultimate Breakfast Sandwich. Slow smoked pork, housemade apple butter, and Vermont sharp cheddar will be sandwiched between their maple bacon glazed donut. Of course, no brunch is complete without some boozy beverages to get the day started. Preppy Pig has a full liquor license and will feature a Bloody Mary con Carne.

“We have been working incredibly hard since opening Warren in June and Jamestown in September to assemble the best possible BBQ team around, and we are finally there! I couldn’t be happier with the way things are coming together for us. I have to tip my cap to our amazing staff and the hard work they are putting in to get us to the next level!” said Patrick. “We are more than excited to put this BBQ brunch together and see where it goes. BBQ is always an adventure and we sure are enjoying the ride. Please come on over to our Warren location and saddle on up . . . you won’t be disappointed!”

Enjoy Brunch at Preppy Pig every Sunday from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m beginning on Sunday, November 6th.

Sons of Liberty Spirits Co. Releases Gala Apple – a Celebration of Fall in New England

Rhode Island Craft Distillery Recognized for World’s Best Flavored Whiskey Extends First-Ever Seasonal Line with All-New Apple Flavored Whiskey

Sons of Liberty Spirits Co. Gala Apple

Sons of Liberty Spirits Co. is proud to announce the newest addition to the first-ever seasonal line of whiskies with Gala Apple.

Gala Apple joins the first U.S. craft whiskey to ever take home World’s Best honors from Whisky Magazine’s annual World Whiskies Awards – Pumpkin Spice Whiskey, in Sons of Liberty’s family of seasonal whiskies.

“We launched the first-ever seasonal line of whiskies in 2012 with the idea that brewers had been crafting seasonal beers for so long, why not bring that concept to whiskey?” said Sons of Liberty Owner, Mike Reppucci. “Being a New England distillery, the seasonal flavors harvested here are awesome to work with and we love pairing those flavors with our whiskies to create a drink appropriate for the season.”

Sons of Liberty utilized more than 9,000 fresh Gala Apples from two Connecticut orchards, Blue Hills Orchard and Drazen Orchards, for its inaugural release of Gala Apple. The apples were brought to New England Cider Company where the apples were shredded into a sauce-like mash called pumice. This mash of apples was then pressed to extract as much juice as possible from the fresh fruit. The Sons of Liberty crew brought the delicious juice back to the distillery where they blended it with a barrel-aged whiskey they made specifically for this release.

The finished product begs to be enjoyed on a cool, New England fall night. The crisp, subtly sweet apple notes pair perfectly with the whiskey to create a drink that is fit for the season. With no artificial flavors added, Gala Apple lacks the sweet, saccharin taste of common flavored spirits and delivers a natural pairing of local seasonal produce and single-malt craft whiskey.

Gala Apple is now available throughout Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Connecticut.

DEM Continues to Promote Growth of Local Agriculture with Latest Grant Awards

Funding supports specialty crop production, sales in Rhode Island

Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) today announced $225,524 in grant awards to five local groups working to grow the state’s agricultural sector.  The grants, funded under the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, support efforts to grow the marketplace and increase local production of specialty crops.  USDA defines specialty crops as fruits and vegetables, dried fruit, tree nuts, and nursery crops, including floriculture and turf grass.

“Agriculture is an important, diverse industry poised for growth in Rhode Island,” said DEM Director Janet Coit. “We’re pleased to announce these awards that support our local growers and their businesses as well as increase consumer understanding and demand for Rhode Island’s specialty crops.  The work these grant recipients are doing is vital to ensuring the continued viability of agriculture in Rhode Island, and we are proud to be a partner. Kudos to all!”

Grant recipients include:

Farm Fresh Rhode Island – $50,000

Funding supports creation of a farm-to-institution advocacy group focused on increasing use of local specialty crops in school, university, and hospital cafeterias.

Southside Community Land Trust – $25,750

Funding supports creation of a food hub that will collect specialty crops grown at urban farm sites in the Providence area and distribute to Rhode Island’s low-income communities.

Northeast Organic Farming Association of Rhode Island (NOFA/RI) – $20,800

Funding supports NOFA/RI’s efforts to train and provide technical assistance to local organic farmers.  Available trainings will include advanced grower seminars and on-farm workshops where organic techniques will be reviewed. Participating farmers also have access to an advisor to support them in producing high-value organic crops.

RI Organic Farm Market – $29,730

Funding supports RI Organic’s market and “Farm Share Baskets” program. Through this program, RI Organic delivers locally sourced, organic and non-GMO specialty crops to Rhode Island residences.

University of Rhode Island – $21,851

Funding supports the Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences’ efforts to increase production of African-origin vegetable crops on Rhode Island’s urban farms. Efforts also include educating urban growers and providing community workshops on these crops.

Additionally, DEM received $77,393 under USDA’s Specialty Crop Block Grant Program to support its buy local campaign, “Get Fresh, Buy Local.” The funds will be used to help increase consumer awareness and demand for specialty crop products.

Rhode Island is experiencing significant growth in its agricultural and local food sector.  The state’s food system now supports 60,000 jobs, and Rhode Island is one of a 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 its farms selling directly to the public. Green industries in Rhode Island account for more than 15,000 jobs and contribute $2.5 billion to the economy.

For more information about the Specialty Crop Block Grant awards, visit USDA.gov.

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.

Disclosure: Preppy Pig BBQ is a client of Eat Drink RI Marketing Services

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