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Farm-to-Fork Event Connects Farmers & Chefs in "DCs Wine Country"

May 31, 2012
Suburban Washington, DC Community launches second annual restaurant and agriculture intiative

LEESBURG, VA. (June 1, 2012) — Plans are underway for a the second annual Farm-to-Fork Loudoun event—a unique initiative in Loudoun County, Virginia that will bring together more than 20 chefs, 19 farms and regional wineries, and an acclaimed whisky and gin maker in a collaborative celebration of food, community, and local flavor. The 11-day event will take place from Thursday, July 26 through Sunday, August 5, 2012. Participating chefs have committed to using at least 70% locally sourced products to develop a special menu available to their patrons during that time frame.

"The Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW) is thrilled to be working with Farm-to-Fork Loudoun," said RAMW President Lynne Breaux. "RAMW is involved in so many events with chefs and restaurants in the region and Farm-to-Fork is just the type of initiative we love to support as it promotes interaction between chefs and farmers creating a great culinary experience for restaurant guests to enjoy the fruits—and vegetables—of farmers' and chefs' collaborative efforts."

Farm-to-Fork Loudoun is in its second year. It was founded by high spirited entrepreneur Miriam Nasuti as a way to break down the walls that keep local businesses from working together. “The locavore movement has been gaining speed all throughout the country,” Nasuti says. “A lot of Loudoun farms and restaurants have said that this is a program they’ve always wanted, but that they didn’t know where to start, or the cost of buying local was too high. Now we have chefs working together to share recipes and teach each other the ins and outs of working with local producers. We have producers who are willing to work with restaurants and their budgets, and everyone is beginning to realize that it is possible to promote the local economy by agreeing to work together. This is a celebration of community and a way to lay the foundation to keep that community working together.”

The event has drawn visitors throughout the region and provides a model of local culinary culture that can be adapted for use all over the country, including neighboring Washington, DC.

About Farm-to-Fork Loudoun
Farm-to-Fork Loudoun, now in its second year, is a collaboration between Loudoun County’s dynamic and growing culinary, farming and winery communities. This 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 The Trilogy Group, The Town of Leesburg, Nova Medical Group, Loudoun County Economic Development Department and the Dulles Greenway.
 
About RAMW
Established in 1920, the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington was formed to unite, represent and promote restaurants and the regional food service industry. Today, RAMW has more than 700 members in the District, Northern Virginia and Maryland and serves as the voice of establishments ranging from casual eateries to internationally acclaimed fine dining restaurants.  For over 90 years RAMW has been "fighting for the right to eat, drink and be merry, hospitably, responsibly and profitably®."