Are you a local foodie supporter??

Recently, Governor Malloy was talking up an initiative of the CT Department of Agriculture called the 2012 Chef to Farm Week. It officially began yesterday, Sunday the 16th and will run through Saturday, Sept 22nd. This week, you will find restaurants, hotels, school cafeterias, university dining halls, and health care facilities celebrating Connecticut produce, wine, cheeses, and other ingredients, incorporating them into their menus. And this is nothing to scoff at either, the figures are impressive. Gov. Malloy is quoted as saying "“As well as providing nutritious, fresh food for residents, locally-grown and produced foods contribute $3.5 billion to the state economy and represent about 20,000 Connecticut jobs. Our state’s farmers produce an astoundingly wide variety of foods, and Farm-to-Chef Week is a great opportunity for people to get out there and really enjoy everything Connecticut has to offer.”

With the hugely popular CT Wine Trail and passport program, the abundance of farmers markets popping up in urban areas, and area stores more frequently carrying local items, it's obvious that CT residents are into supporting our farms and farmers. More information about the initiative, and the 65 or more participating venues for this week can be found at the Department of Agriculture's website, www.CTGrown.gov. So whether you are a local food afficiando or not, this is a great opportunity to taste what the state has to offer.

Link to finding participants: http://www.ctfarmtochef.com/ct-farm-to-chef-network/participant-list.html