The fifth annual “Eat Drink Local Week,” which celebrates the bounty of New Jersey farmers and the culinary skills of dozens of the state’s most talented chefs, will take place from July 22-31 at more than 50 restaurants statewide.
Presented by Edible Jersey, the James Beard award-winning magazine dedicated to promoting the local, seasonal foods of the Garden State, “Eat Drink Local Week” showcases the broad range of foods produced in the Garden State and the creativity of the state’s chefs in preparing dishes using locally sourced products. Participating restaurants will be offering specially crafted prix fixe menus, seasonally driven dishes, supplemental menus, cocktail specials and more during the 10-day event.
“There are so many talented chefs in New Jersey who place a dedicated emphasis on working with local farmers and purveyors and featuring locally sourced ingredients on their menus,” said Nancy Painter, publisher of Edible Jersey. “This event is designed to spotlight those efforts and to help point food lovers toward establishments that offer a truly delicious Garden State dining experience.”
“Eat Drink Local Week” is co-sponsored by Zone 7, a fresh-from-the-farm distribution service that connects local farmers and chefs by delivering high-quality ingredients from farms in New Jersey and eastern Pennsylvania to restaurants and grocers throughout the tri-state area. The weeklong event will also feature additional special tastings and guest appearances by farmers and producers. In addition to the restaurants’ “Eat Drink Local Week” menus, some restaurants are holding special dinners with the food and/or beverage producers as hosts.
For a complete list of participating restaurants, visit http://ediblejersey.com/high-summer-2016/edible-jerseys-2016-eat-drink-local-restaurants/.
Painter said “Eat Drink Local Week” will not only provide diners with flavorful, fresh-from-the-field dishes, but a chance to support New Jersey farmers and to help bring awareness of the importance of New Jersey’s agriculture and how it supports consumers’ well-being and the local economy.
According to the state Department of Agriculture, New Jersey is home to more than 9,000 farms covering 715,057 acres of farmland. The state produces an abundance of tomatoes, corn, apples, strawberries, potatoes, hay, soybeans and nursery stock. Agriculture is New Jersey’s third largest industry behind pharmaceuticals and tourism, bringing in billions of dollars in revenue to the state. However, the latest census shows that farms are continually decreasing in numbers.