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Rhodium Citron Vodka from Rhode Island Spirits

News Bites: RI Spirits’ New Rhodium Citron Vodka / RI Land Trust Council Hosts Land Trust Days / RI DEM Mini-Grants for Food Producers / Kristin Allain Named CPO of Newport Restaurant Group

by David Dadekian August 24, 2022

written by David Dadekian

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

Rhodium Citron Vodka; RI Spirits’ New Product Launches

Rhode Island Spirits announces the launch of Rhodium Citron Vodka, a corn-based vodka flavored with real lemon zest. Like RI Spirits’ other vodkas, gins, and liqueurs Rhodium Citron Vodka is all natural, gluten-free, and made in small batches in downtown Pawtucket.

“I infused a few bottles of vodka with lemon early in our tasting room days,” said co-owner Kara Larson. “It was popular with our customers, and opened up a lot of options for new cocktails. Immediately, our tasting room customers wanted to buy it.” Initially planned for a 2020 release, the pandemic delayed the process until now.

Co-owner and distiller Cathy Plourde said, ”We take pride in using fresh and real botanicals for each flavor profile. Citron was an obvious addition to our vodka lineup, and we’re happy to give bar managers, stores, and home bartenders a local option for a staple spirit.”

Rhodium Citron Vodka offers a crisp, full flavored, and refreshing vodka option for cocktails or a flavorful vodka and soda. Its light yellow color comes from natural lemon oil, and the yellow and white gingham label continues Rhode Island Spirits’ nod to the textile history of its home, the Blackstone Valley. RI Spirits Tasting Room Manager Amy Gravel said, “it looks and tastes like summer in a bottle.”

Analise Stettner, Beverage Director of The Boom Box at the Dean Hotel has created a new cocktail featuring the product, Downcity Summer, and says Rhodium Citron Vodka “is wonderfully bright and has a well balanced flavor, great for mixing in a cocktail.”

Bottled at 80 proof, Rhodium Citron Vodka is a great addition to any spirits collection. It is available statewide in Rhode Island through Horizon Beverage Company.

Rhodium brand gins, vodkas & liqueurs feature fresh, farmed and foraged ingredients in every bottle. Organic, gluten free, and packed with real ingredients and flavors, the spirits are uniquely the spirits of Rhode Island.

Rhode Island Spirits is the home of Rhodium brand premium gins, vodkas, and liqueurs. The company is the brainchild and full time occupation of Cathy Plourde & Kara Larson, who are the founders, owners, and distillers.

Rhode Island Spirits makes:

Rhodium Citron Vodka
Rhodium Classic Gin
Rhodium Forager’s Gin
Rhodium Classic Vodka
Rhode Island Red Vodka
Rhodium Coffee & Black Walnut Vodka
Rhodium Limoncello
Rhodium Grapefruitcello

“We believe in offering unique flavors and distinctive spirits. Our commitment to gluten free, organic, and kosher products is rooted in a belief that everyone should be able to enjoy premium spirits that work with their needs. We forage botanical ingredients and partner with local small farms because we value the uniqueness of Rhode Island and the Blackstone Valley. We seek to make spirits here that could be made nowhere else.” Kara & Cathy RI Spirits owners

Land Trust Days Celebrates Special Places in Rhode Island

The Rhode Island Land Trust Council is gearing up to host Land Trust Days- the 11^th annual series of outdoor events designed to celebrate the trails, landscapes and open spaces across Rhode Island, and the hard work of the individual land trusts that are protecting them.

Land Trust Days takes place over eight weeks, from August 26 – October 23, 2022, at land trust properties across Rhode Island. This celebration includes guided hikes, birding events, fitness activities, music, art workshops and other unique outdoor festivities. With over 30 events planned statewide, there is something for everyone. Events are hosted by individual local land trusts who look forward to introducing visitors to spectacular protected places across the state.

“Land Trust Days is an opportunity to get to know Rhode Island’s land trusts and the important work that they do- protecting and stewarding open spaces for the benefit of all Rhode Islanders. Land Trusts do the hard work of protecting drinking water supplies, stewarding lands to improve wildlife habitat, conserving farmland and strengthening our local food systems, and more. Get out on the trail and meet new friends, or even explore a corner of Rhode Island that you’ve never been- the Land Trust Days season has it all.”

The kick-off event is at Haile Farm Preserve in Warren, a property conserved by Warren Land Conservation Trust. This guided walk on August 26 at 9am, will focus on the resident and early migrating birds, wildflowers, butterflies and more. This property is adjacent to the pristine salt marsh habitat along the Palmer River. Registration is required.

Learn more about Land Trust Days and the schedule of events at landtrustdays.org

DEM Begins “Mini-Grants” To Boost Specialty Food Producers

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management is announcing that it has established a program to award grants ranging in size from $2,500 to $10,000 to support Rhode Island farmers and food businesses that produce and distribute specialty crops such as fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops including floriculture. These “mini-grants,” administered by DEM’s Division of Agriculture and Forest Environment, will be eligible to applicants whose operations have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“COVID continues to affect our country in so many ways, including challenging small businesspeople who produce specialty crops and have needed to quickly and completely pivot their operations as demand shifted away from traditional markets like restaurants and food service,” said DEM Director Terry Gray. “DEM hopes that these mini-grants will help Rhode Island’s small-scale producers mitigate costs and bring home a greater share of the food dollar.”

In response to COVID-19, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Office of Management and Budget has provided flexibilities to grant applicants and grant recipients through the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP). Funds awarded through DEM’s new mini-grant program must still meet the requirements of SCBGP, but there is an emphasis on projects that COVID-19 assistance and relief.

Mini-grants must fit within one of the three funding areas:

o COVID-related expense relief: A part of this funding will be used to assist businesses, organizations, and individuals with eligible expenses due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

o Produce safety: This grant can help defray the costs of implementing on-farm food safety practices to help growers transition to compliance with the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule and/or meet market demands for on-farm food safety. This can include improvements to irrigation systems that mitigate risk associated with agricultural water use in lieu of current drought conditions.

o Digital media: This grant can provide funding for modernization and access to digital media for eligible entities. It is meant to increase/improve a producer’s market access.

All applications must be submitted on our website. Applications will be accepted from Aug. 9-Dec. 31, 2022 at 11:59 PM. For more information about the grant process, please visit the grant website.

For more information on DEM programs and initiatives, visit www.dem.ri.gov. Follow DEM on Facebook, Twitter (@RhodeIslandDEM), or Instagram (@rhodeisland.dem) for timely updates.

Newport Restaurant Group Names Kristin Allain Chief People Officer

NRG veteran has been a driving force in the company’s human resources and recent recruiting efforts

Newport Restaurant Group (NRG), an award-winning collection of unique restaurants and hospitality venues located throughout Rhode Island and Massachusetts, is pleased to announce the promotion of Kristin Allain to Chief People Officer. In her new position, Kristin will continue to provide leadership within NRG’s employee-ownership culture, helping operational leadership build teams of hospitality professionals by exposing staff to the technical and life skills necessary to build successful careers in the hospitality industry.

Allain, a native Rhode Islander, began her hospitality career as a teenager, bussing tables at a favorite restaurant on Aquidneck Island. She worked for several different Newport-based restaurants before joining Newport Restaurant Group in 1997 as a bookkeeper for Castle Hill Inn. Kristin worked in the accounting department for five years before starting the company’s Human Resources Department in 2002.

As the company expanded and grew its portfolio, Allain grew with it. She was named Director of Human Resources in 2011, her most recent position, overseeing all HR functions including compliance administration, employee relations, employment law, recruiting, training and payroll. She also provided leadership for compensation planning and design, benefit program analysis, succession planning and performance management strategy.

“I am so proud to announce Kristin’s promotion to Chief People Officer,” said Paul O’Reilly, CEO, Newport Restaurant Group. “Kristin has been the driving force behind all major human resources initiatives in our company and has been instrumental in building the thriving culture we now have, even in increasingly challenging times. Above all, Kristin is a prime example of the type of career potential and path that is possible in an employee-owned company, and we are so thankful for her passion and dedication.”

Allain is a graduate of Salve Regina University and earned her HR Certification from Bryant College. She has served on multiple HR panels and currently serves on the RI Hospitality Association’s HR Council. Allain currently resides in Bristol, with her husband John.

August 24, 2022 0 comment

chefs & restaurants farms news wine & drinks

News Bites: Rhode Island DEM Grant Awards / Hope & Main Receives USDA Grant / Barnaby’s Public House Opening

by David Dadekian May 9, 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.

DEM Promotes Growth of Local Farm Economy with Latest Grant Awards

A total of $276,614 will be invested to support specialty crop production and sales in Rhode Island

Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management

The Department of Environmental Management announced today the award of $276,614 in farm viability grants to seven Rhode Island-based groups working to support local agriculture; the grants are made possible by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Specialty Crop Block Grant Program and will support efforts to increase specialty crop production and grow the marketplace for these crops in Rhode Island. USDA defines specialty crops as fruits and vegetables, dried fruit, tree nuts, and nursery crops, including floriculture and turf grass.

“We’re delighted to support Rhode Island specialty crop growers and cultivate their practices through this grant round and look forward to the success of these projects,” said DEM Director Janet Coit. “Congratulations to these grant recipients for their innovative efforts to strengthen markets for specialty crops and foster growth in our state’s farming industry.”

Grant recipients include:

Farm Fresh Rhode Island – $50,000 Funding supports the expansion of the educational component of the farm-to-school program through farm and classroom-based educational opportunities for both students and school nutrition professionals. Field trips will provide hands-on, experiential educational opportunities for Rhode Island children to understand where their food comes from and think critically about the importance of local food. A separate series of field trips will provide professional development opportunities for school nutrition professionals to identify ways to begin or strengthen farm-to-school programming through local specialty crop purchasing practices.

Caserta Productions – $49,984 Funding supports creation of seven new episodes of the Harvesting Rhode Island television series to promote Rhode Island specialty crop growers and educate consumers on the benefits of buying locally-produced crops. New episodes to cover topics including young farmers staying in Rhode Island and the cost of farmland, the relationship between renewable energy and the loss of farmland, climate change, and vertical growing. Discussions with farmers will include organic farming, issues about solar panels and alternative energy on the farmland.

Northeast Organic Farming Association of Rhode Island (NOFA/RI) – $30,950 Funding supports NOFA/RI’s efforts to train and provide technical assistance to local organic farmers. Specifically, efforts will include continuing and enhancing NOFA/RI’s farmer-to-farmer advisor program, a series of on-farm workshops, an advanced growers’ seminar, an educational conference, and enhanced publicity/outreach/education efforts including direct contact with consumers at farmers markets and other venues.

Southside Community Land Trust (SCLT) – $29,858 Funding supports efforts to increase the impact of SCLT’s Food Hub, which aggregates and distributes specialty crops grown at urban farm sites in greater Providence, by developing digital platforms for customer ordering and invoicing, and systems for improved inventory control; providing logistical support for the increasing volume of crops sold through the Food Hub and for coordinating with new customers; and increasing the number of access points for low-income, socially disadvantaged community members to buy fresh, healthy produce grown by local farmers; and developing food systems and entrepreneurial competencies for college-age employees.

African Alliance of Rhode Island (AARI) – $14,500 Funding supports AARI’s efforts to expand access to locally grown organic specialty vegetables, greens and value-added products to people living in food desert neighborhoods in upper and lower South Providence. Specifically, the project will support AARI beginning farmers who grow produce for home consumption and to sell at local farmers markets by creating three new pop-up farmers markets in areas where farmers markets do not currently operate and continuing to offer locally-sourced fresh produce at established venues.

Wishing Stone Farm – $12,375 Funding supports the development of technologies and a protocol for no-till vegetable production specific to New England soils and seasonal time horizons. The project will include soil testing to examine fertilizer and moisture needs and ways to increase the amount of organic matter levels in no-till soils. A video will be produced to update farmers on this new technology and a slideshow/talk on no-till vegetable production will be presented at the biennial meeting of the New England Vegetable Growers Association.

Additionally, DEM received $88,947 under USDA’s Specialty Crop Block Grant Program to strengthen 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 is a national leader 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.

State’s Premier Culinary Incubator, Hope & Main, Receives $178,000 Usda Grant To Increase Access To Local Food

Non-Profit Earns Competitive Grant for Unique National Model that Drives Both Supply and Demand for Rhode Island Made Product

Hope & Main opened its doors as a start-up of start-ups and an engine of innovation, small business development, and job creation in Rhode Island’s growing food economy. Founder and President, Lisa Raiola says, “We have been one lesson plan ahead of the class when it comes to developing our incubation program. We had no preconceived ideas about best practices in this market and were deliberate in listening to the needs of our members so we can address major pain points and develop a comprehensive approach to helping new food businesses to launch and scale.”

In its 18,000 square foot shared-use facility in Warren, RI, Hope & Main provides affordable access to four specially-equipped commercial kitchens. “Equally, if not more important to the success of these emerging businesses,” says Raiola, “is the ability to reach direct consumers and purchasers with these new products. Production space is not enough. These entrepreneurs need a partner in promotion. That is where the Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP) USDA grant comes in.”

U.S. Senator Jack Reed, a senior member of the Appropriations Committee and an early champion of the Hope & Main concept, said: “Hope & Main was selected for a $178,000 three-year FMPP grant for its innovative incubation model that combines technical assistance for food production with promotional programs that connect makers to direct consumers and large purchasers. I have met many of the producers and makers, and they always have a fascinating story to tell, to go along with delicious food. This grant will help spread the word, help Hope & Main expand its reach, and develop new market opportunities for producers and makers. I commend Lisa Raiola for her vision and leadership, and I hope this innovative incubator will help us continue building a stronger local food system for Rhode Island.”

With the help of funders such as the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service, Commerce RI and the Rhode Island Foundation, Hope & Main has serviced over 300 food businesses, launched 177 new businesses and assisted 40 businesses to graduate into their own facilities throughout Rhode Island and the region. These 40 graduates have created 351 jobs and have poured millions of dollars into the State’s emerging food sector. In just four years, this non-profit incubator is among the top 10% of all culinary incubators in the country.

The FMPP grant will help Hope & Main to assist members to broaden and diversify access to their products. The funds will support distribution partnerships with Farm Fresh Rhode Island to reach retail and institutional buyers through Market Mobile; and Crave Food Systems with whom they have developed an app to enable consumers to order products directly from members. The grant will support education for members in branding and marketing local products. In addition, with the help of the RI Community Food Bank, funds will help expand access to local food at Hope & Main’s Schoolyard Market and Meet Your Maker market, to food insecure neighbors in the East Bay and throughout Rhode Island.

When asked what is next for Hope & Main, Raiola says as members have graduated the team is excited to help the pipeline of new applicants bring their good food ideas to market. With the recent addition of a Contract Manufacturing Technical Assistance Program through an Innovation Network Matching Grant from the State, Hope & Main can now help start-up food businesses by performing small batch manufacturing for them at their Warren facility. She says, “The ability for our entrepreneurs to get out of the kitchen and on the road to sell their products will help them to scale more rapidly, and reach sustainability sooner.”

Barnaby’s Public House Opening

Barnaby’s Public House, located at 385 Westminster St, Providence, in the historic Conrad Building, is excited to announce its opening in early January.

Barnaby’s will celebrate the era of pre-prohibition, when drinks were serious and American cuisine was simple and delicious. It’s prime location in the Conrad Building, which was erected in 1885 by the new establishment’s namesake, Jerothmul Barnaby, has been completely restored to showcase the Victorian details and the ornate characteristics of the era.

The story and historical significance of Barnaby’s is a key component of the establishment. The scandalous legend and murder of Jerothnul’s wife, Josephine, in 1881 (the first death by mail in the country), will be shared with all guests in a variety of ways ranging from the décor to the food and drinks that will certainly spark curiosity and interest.

Under the leadership of David Bertolini and Michael Santos, owners of Providence Coal Fired Pizza, Barnaby’s will pride itself on offering craft cocktails and beers, fine wines, and an impressive selection that includes whiskeys, bourbons, and ryes.

Barnaby’s will be open 7 days a week, serving its full menu from 11:30 am to 10:00 p.m. Monday to Thursday and a late night menu on Fridays and Saturdays. The bar will be open daily from 11:30 am to Midnight, Sunday to Thursday, and until 1:00 am on Fridays and Saturdays.

Please visit www.barnabyspublichouse.com for more information and updates.

May 9, 2019 0 comment

chefs & restaurants farms news wine & drinks

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

by David Dadekian May 9, 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.

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

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. 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

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

May 9, 2019 0 comment

chefs & restaurants farms news wine & drinks

News Bites: RI Honors Food Day, Farm to School Month / Pawtucket Wintertime Farmers Market / Jamestown FiSH / Coastal Wine Trail

by David Dadekian October 20, 2016

written by David Dadekian

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

Rhode Island Honors Food Day, Farm to School Month

Farm Fresh RI Farm to School Gardening with Boys & Girls Clubs of Providence

The RI Farm to School Project is busy throughout the month of October, supporting special events and distributing resources to engage the state’s schools and institutions in fresh, delicious and nutritious local eating. Governor Gina Raimondo recently proclaimed October to be “RI Farm to School Month.” And the most recent USDA Farm to School Census revealed that Rhode Island schools rank number-one in the nation for district participation in Farm to School programs!

At the same time that obesity and diabetes are occurring in our nation at record rates among children, Farm to School activities empower youth to think critically about the food they eat, to learn about nearby farms and how food is produced, and to taste for themselves that healthy, fresh foods are delicious. Farm Fresh Rhode Island’s Farm to School Project is a critical part of the non-profit’s strategy for fostering a culture of healthy eating in the next generation of consumers. As larger local farms seek secure wholesale markets, school meals represent a viable outlet for Rhode Island farmers. Farm Fresh RI hopes that local food celebrations generate enthusiasm among diners and demand by meal providers so that RI Grown items continue to appear regularly on cafeteria menus.

“Consistent purchases by institutional customers such as Rhode Island’s school food service providers are what our agricultural producers need to assure their investments in expansion,” notes Farm Fresh RI Co-Executive Director Sheri Griffin. “These sustainable purchasing relationships are a win-win for everyone. Our students benefit by enjoying the freshest and most delicious food as our agricultural economy thrives. This kind of activity fosters the development of a secure and sustainable local food system.”

Instagram art contest sponsored by the RI Fruit Growers Association
In celebration of both National and Rhode Island Farm to School Month, as well as Farm Fresh RI’s “Harvest of the Month” initiative featuring apples for October, the RI Farm to School Project hosted an Instagram art contest sponsored by the RI Fruit Growers Association. Rhode Island middle school students (5th – 8th grade) were invited to submit artwork or photography depicting their enthusiasm for Farm to School, Rhode Island agriculture and Rhode Island grown foods. Two fifth-grade students from Reservoir Avenue School in Providence won the contest for their class with colorful drawings of RI Grown fruits and vegetables. Teacher Maureen Rooney’s class will enjoy the first-place prize: apple picking while on a farm fieldtrip Tuesday, October 25, hosted by Steere Orchard in Greenville, RI. The class will also celebrate the second prize, a local foods classroom cooking extravaganza. Students will use RI Grown foods to prepare brunch this Friday, October 21. Menu items include veggie frittatas featuring various vegetables from RI Mushroom Company and multiple RI farms, Baffoni Farms eggs, Schartner Farms sweet potato hash, Steere Orchard apple crisp, and apple pie smoothies using Narragansett Creamery yogurt.

Sodexo Providence, the food service provider at Reservoir Avenue School, will hang the winning artwork in the cafeteria—where all students can view it while enjoying a Great RI Apple Crunch on Food Day, October 24.

The Great RI Apple Crunch, October 24
The second annual Great RI Apple Crunch will be held at Pell Elementary School in Newport, RI, on October 24th—Food Day. To celebrate, the entire school population (including over 850 students, plus faculty and staff!) will gather at 2:00 pm on the school lawn to simultaneously bite into a delicious apple grown locally at Steere Orchard.

The event is coordinated by the school’s food service director, Cindy King of Chartwells, and Farm Fresh RI’s Farm to School team. Chartwells and Farm Fresh RI have worked together in Newport and all East Bay school districts for over 10 years to promote RI Grown foods in school meals and to facilitate food education activities like classroom nutrition lessons, gardening programs and after-school cooking clubs.

This October, Chartwells is participating in Farm Fresh RI’s “Harvest of the Month.” In exchange for printed marketing materials and support with local food celebrations, the district has committed to purchasing RI Grown apples three times during the month!

Farm Fresh RI Wintertime Farmers Market Celebrates 10th Year!

Farm Fresh RI Pawtucket Wintertime Farmers Market 2016 poster

The Pawtucket Wintertime Farmers Market is opening for its 10th season on November 5, 2016. The largest indoor farmers market in New England, it will be open every Saturday through April 29, 2017 from 9am to 1pm — this year including both December 24 (Christmas Eve) and December 31 (New Years Eve). That means extra holiday shopping opportunities for consumers and more chances to support local businesses.

To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the wintertime market, Farm Fresh Rhode Island will be hosting special events, cooking demos, give-aways, and sales throughout the season. Ever growing, the 2016–2017 Pawtucket Wintertime Farmers Market will be home to a bustling community of shoppers, families, musicians, artists, growers, and artisans gathering over a shared interest in delicious locally grown foods. The market will feature over 80 new and returning vendors selling a huge array of local products, from fresh produce, seafood, poultry, meats, and cheeses to baked goods, prepared foods, herbal remedies, seasonal flowers and wreaths… and so much more! The Pawtucket Wintertime Farmers Market is located in two spacious hallways at 1005 and 999 Main St., Pawtucket, RI 02860. The R-Line bus literally stops at the market’s front door. Multiple parking lots are provided for convenience, and street parking is available in the surrounding neighborhood. Ramp accessibility is located at the 999 Main St entrance and in the building’s center courtyard. For more information: farmfreshri.org.

From Humble Beginnings — 10 Years of Supporting Local Growers
“Let’s just do it. Let’s find a place!” That was how it all started, seemingly simple words that transformed years of dreaming into a realistic way to support RI food producers all year long. Farm Fresh RI Co-Executive Director Sheri Griffin was there, then just starting at the fledgling nonprofit. Griffin along with Farm Fresh RI founders Louella Hill and Noah Fulmer knew that local growers need a consistent marketplace to thrive, even after the New England temperatures start to dip. But asking for a commitment from vendors and pulling together all the logistics were far from a sure thing.

“At first, we weren’t even certain it would fly,” explains Griffin. “As a grower, it’s one thing to need a marketplace. It’s another to be able to dedicate valuable time and resources to test new waters.” In fact, the market may not have gotten off the ground in 2007 without integral support from AS220, a Providence gallery and forum for the arts that donated space and tables for that first wintertime market. But the market was a hit almost immediately — thanks to Hill Orchards, Simmons Farm, Matunuck Oyster Farm, Earth Essence Herbals, Wishing Stone Farm, Jack’s Snacks and Whispering Elms Farm blazing the trail, and Farm Fresh RI rounding out the market with buy-in from other small vendors. So, after that first season, Griffin and team were again in search of a space to house the growing demand.

By the following November, 2008, the market had moved to its current home in the Hope Artiste Village in Pawtucket, after recommendations by Farm Fresh RI friends and market partners New Harvest Coffee Roasters and Seven Stars Bakery, which had already set up shop in the building. Jumping dramatically from 7 to 51 vendors in just its second year, the market’s success was a boon, and it has continued to thrive in the years since. In Fall 2012, with the market bursting at the seams, Farm Fresh RI expanded the market into two hallways — as it will continue to be this, the 10th year!

“The Wintertime Market has made a real difference to a lot of local growers,” explains Griffin. “Having a stream of income from the other eight months of the year can help make or break small food & agra businesses. And our community is hungry for what they catch, grow and create. Making these connections is what Farm Fresh RI is all about.”

Cash, Credit/Debit, EBT Accepted
The market accepts cash, check, credit/debit, and EBT. For shoppers using SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits, Farm Fresh RI provides a 40% bonus! Customers simply swipe their EBT card at any of the market Welcome Tables and receive tokens to spend on groceries at the market. For every $5 swiped on EBT, shoppers get $2 FREE Bonus Bucks to buy fresh fruits and vegetables — and the tokens never expire!

Sunday Brunch Begins at Jamestown FiSH

At Jamestown FiSH, Sunday Brunch is a special event. We have made every effort to elevate its status to an art form. With imaginative twists on traditional dishes and inventive new creations inspired by European cuisine, we strive to give our guests an unprecedented dining experience.

A sampling from the menu includes: Omelette, served with a side of Scotch Whiskey Smoked Salmon or Prosciutto & Atwell’s Gold Cheese; Ceufs en Meurette, a classic Burgundian egg dish comprised of two poached eggs topped with a sauce made with copious amounts of red wine, bacon, shallots and mushrooms, then harmonized with a touch of butter and served on top of toasted country bread; Brioche Paine Perdu, with apple-cranberry compote; Jamestown Fish Soup, a spicy soup made with the daily catch, tomato, saffron, fennel hot pepper and a gruyère frico and; Cod “Acqua Pazza,” local Cod poached in a “crazy water” of white wine, hot pepper, garlic, parsley and a touch of tomato and served with potatoes and spinach.
(view the entire menu)

Join us in our sunny dining room from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. each Sunday through May. A dinner menu is offered from 2 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Demand for CT, RI, & MA Coastal Wines Peaks with Record Attendance

Tasting Deal for 10th Anniversary of Coastal Wine Trail

Newport Vineyards in Fall, photo by Marianne Lee Photography

Look out, Napa! Wineries in Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts are seeing record demand for their whites, reds, and sparkling beverages. The Coastal Wine Trail, a nonprofit group of 14 wineries that weave through the heart of Southeastern New England, has quietly built a reputation for serving nationally recognized wines in unique tasting rooms that offer a deep connection to the roots of each bottle. Tourists and locals alike are taking notice, making the Coastal Wine Trail a top destination in New England.

The secret’s out. Tickets for the Coastal Wine Trail’s annual Wine, Cheese, and Chocolate Festival sold out two months before the event, even after expanding the event to allow 600 hundred additional guests. Even wineries are taking notice. In the past year, five new wineries have joined the Coastal Wine Trail, skyrocketing foot traffic to the wineries.

“There is a new energy on the trail,” said Maggie Harnett, Director of the Coastal Wine Trail, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year with special tasting deals. “There is a growing awareness that wines made in Southeastern New England are truly exceptional and can compete on a national level.”

Member wineries have amassed an impressive collection of international and national awards, including a Gold Medal in the 2016 Indy International Wine Competition, a Silver Medal in the 2015 Amenti Del Vino 22nd Annual International Wine Competition, and second place in the Dry White Wine category from the Connecticut Specialty Food Association. Saltwater Farm Vineyard was named one of the Top 50 Romantic Wedding Venues in the U.S. by Brides Magazine.

The secret to the Coastal Wine Trail’s success? An unusually tight-knit community of winemakers who are dedicated to creating more than great wines. These winemakers, including a former dentist, snowboarding instructor, and engineer among them, want to convert every visitor into wine lovers, as they were once converted. Call them wine missionaries, because to join the Coastal Wine Trail, you must have a tasting room to connect with visitors.

Close proximity to each other also means travelers can tour the entire Wine Trail in two to three days, all the while sticking close to New England’s scenic coastline. The heart of the Coastal Wine Trail is less than 3 hours from New York City and 90 minutes from Boston.

To celebrate the Coastal Wine Trail’s 10th anniversary, member vineyards are offering a barrel of a deal for just a few more weeks: 67% off a Vintner’s Tasting Ticket that includes wine tastings for two at each of the 14 member wineries. Bottle yours today for just $99. Vintner’s Tasting Tickets can be purchased on the Coastal Wine Trail website: http://coastalwinetrail.com/on-sale-vintners-tasting-ticket/.

October 20, 2016 0 comment

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