“Farm-To-Fork” Event Kicks Off In Loudoun County, Virginia

A Collaborative Project Between Agriculture, Culinary, & Winery Businesses
By: Vicki Bendure, APR
 
April 7, 2011 - PRLog -- LEESBURG, Va., -- Plans are underway for a unique project in Loudoun County, Virginia that will bring together and showcase some of the best locally grown and raised food and wine agricultural products that the county has to offer, and culminate in an 11 day event.  “Farm-to-Fork Loudoun “ will take place from Thursday, July 21 to Monday, July 31, 2011 with 21 restaurants and food related entities committed to using at least 70% local product and ingredients during that timeframe.

“Farm-to- Fork” is a new concept to this area, conceived by Loudoun County marketing entrepreneur Miriam Nasuti who saw the need for a county-wide collaborative celebration between agricultural growers, vintners and chefs in Loudoun County. “I observed particular restaurants growing or buying local these past years, but nothing done on a county-wide, collaborative scale on site at the various restaurants.  The process has been so rewarding, as I’ve spoken to many vintners, farmers and Chefs who’ve not done this in the past and expressed that they always wanted to but, either didn’t have the time or know-how to begin. Bringing everyone together has been a tremendous experience,” explained Nasuti.  Her hope is that through this initial collaboration, growers, chefs and the vintners will establish new relationships that will last well beyond the project.

She established committees early on, which included representatives from the agricultural, wineries and restaurant communities, who met often at the onset to set the project dates, protocol and guidelines, issues such as supply and demand of agricultural products, participation fees and such.  Once those guidelines were set the project moved forth quickly toward a successful February ‘Meet & Greet’ where all participants came together for the first time, to begin establishing the important relationships intended toward working together.  

“This is a wonderful way to introduce the diversity of Loudoun agriculture to like businesses and the public,” stated Beverly Morton Billand, owner of The Restaurant at Patowmack Farm, a Farm-to-Fork Loudoun participant and leader in the farm to table movement. Serving organic, seasonal cuisine and supporting local growers has been Billand’s commitment since opening the restaurant on their farm just outside Lovettsville.  “This event will allow wineries, farms and restaurants to collaborate and bring the very best to the table that Loudoun County has to offer.”

Farm-to-Fork Loudoun dining participants include Clyde’s Willowcreek, Aiyara Thai Restaurant, Lightfoot Restaurant, ‘On the Potomac’ at Lansdowne Resort, Palio Ristorante, Shoes Cup & Cork Club, Tenderjacks, The Wine Kitchen, Tuscarora Mill, Vintage 50, Market Table Bistro, The Restaurant at Patowmack Farm, The French Hound, Goodstone Inn & Estate, Market Salamander, Red Fox Inn, Grandale Farm Restaurant, Magnolia’s at the Mill, Catch 52, Vintage 51, and Cookology.


“Farm-to-Fork” will allow the public to experience Loudoun’s diverse culinary community and enjoy its healthy, locally grown and raised foods they otherwise may not have,” Nasuti added.  “And the program allows our restaurants to serve fresh, locally grown food through the new and existing menu items they’ll offer.  It’s a win-win for everyone.”

For more information on the participants, program, or to become a Corporate Sponsor, visit http://www.FarmToForkLoudoun.com,  or contact Miriam Nasuti at 703-771-8893.

Farm-to-Fork Loudoun is a collaboration between Loudoun’s dynamic and growing culinary, farming and winery communities. This new project was envisioned to bring those involved together to drive the local economy and begin, or further, meaningful relationships, while raising visibility of these three Loudoun entities so patrons will come back again and again. Event sponsors include Fortessa, a leading tableware company based in Loudoun and The Dulles Greenway.
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Source:Vicki Bendure, APR
Email:***@bendurepr.com Email Verified
Tags:Event, Food, Loudoun County, Virginia
Industry:Food, Event, Agriculture
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