| Washington, D.C., August 10, 2010 — “We’re ecstatic that key restaurants around the country have joined together with American Farmland Trust (AFT) as we kick-off our inaugural Dine Out for Farms™ event,” says Jane Kirchner, Senior Director of Marketing and Communications. “These restaurants signed on as our ‘Founding Circle’ because the chefs recognize the need to protect America’s farmland and support family farmers. Farmland is a key ingredient that farmers need to be able to grow provisions for restaurateurs.”
Dine Out for Farms™ is a national, weeklong event that will bring together restaurants and consumers across the country to support a sustainable future for America’s farms. From October 10-16, 2010, participating restaurants across the country will raise funds for AFT’s programs that support farms and help save the land that sustains us.
“At the Sheppard Mansion, we pride ourselves on sourcing the highest quality raw products available in our area. Without the innovative farmers who supply us, the restaurant would cease to exist. In my opinion, protecting farmland is paramount to sustaining the evolution of our nation’s creative cuisine,” says chef Andrew Little of Sheppard Mansion in Hanover, Pennsylvania, one of the “Founding Circle” restaurants in the Dine Out for Farms event.
In return for supporting the Dine Out for Farms™ event, AFT is providing promotional and engagement tools to the participating restaurants, along with online and other outreach activities to appeal to consumers who care about farms and food—encouraging consumers to dine out often and make a difference.
“Without land, there will be no farms. Without farms, there will be no food. That equation sounds simple enough to us, but the work to make it right is worth all the praise in the world,” says Oliver Monday with The Market Restaurant in Gloucester, Massachusetts. “We are thrilled to be joining the Dine Out for Farms™ effort in support of sustainable, small-scale, local, diversified agriculture—without which we wouldn’t have a restaurant! AFT does well to bring as many stakeholders as possible to the dinner table. We are excited and honored to be joining the conversation about the future of agriculture in America.”
“Dining out for farms and farmland provides consumers with an easy and fun way to show their support for the growing movement around farms and food,” adds Kirchner. “Supporting our farmers and saving farmland is something that is important at the local, state and national levels—and essential so we all can enjoy farm fresh food and a sustainable farm and food system in this country.”
“Our local farmers are the true backbone of Galletto Ristorante; without them we would not be able to truly provide the quality of food our guests have come to expect,” adds chef Jesse Layman. “Besides, they are the last stand to our heritage and the pride of this great country.”
“We know it’s a cause that chefs and people who love food and farms can relate to, and we hope that restaurants will show their support for American Farmland Trust by joining in the inaugural Dine Out for Farms™ event this October,” Kirchner concludes.
The “Founding Circle” restaurants kicking off AFT’s Dine Out for Farms™ are:
- Red Devon Market Bar & Restaurant, Bangall, New York
- Alder Wood Bistro, Sequim, Washington
- Galletto Ristorante, Modesto, California
- Sheppard Mansion, Hanover, Pennsylvania
- The Market Restaurant, Gloucester, Massachusetts
For more information on joining as a participating restaurant in Dine Out for Farms™, go to www.farmland.org/restaurant or contact Gretchen Hoffman at 202-378-1251 or via email at ghoffman@farmland.org.
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