The Fifth Annual "Eat Drink Local Week" at New Jersey Restaurants

The fifth annual Eat Drink Local Week, which celebrates the bounty of New Jersey farmers and the culinary skills of dozens of our state’s most talented chefs, will take place July 22 to 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 Restaurant Week showcases the broad range of foods produced in the Garden State and the creativity of the state’s chefs in preparing dishes using these 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 NJ, PA and NY. Additional specials tastings and guest appearances by farmers and producers during Eat Drink Local Week are also part of the weeklong event.

In addition to the restaurants’ special Eat Drink Local Week menus, some restaurants are holding special dinners with the food and/or beverage producers as hosts.

One such special event will take guests on the road to a New Jersey hops farm! Bitter End Hops Farm dinner will be catered by The Office Tavern Grill and held outside on July 29 from 6:30-9 p.m. at 65 Morris Turnpike, Randolph. For tickets go to this link https://www.eventbrite.com/e/eat-drink-local-beer-dinner-road-trip-tickets-26063474554?aff=ebrowse

For a complete list of participating restaurants, see below or 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 a flavorful, fresh-from-the-field dishes, but a chance to support New Jersey farmers and to help bring awareness to the importance of New Jersey’s agriculture to our wellbeing and our economy.

According to New Jersey’s Department of Agriculture, New Jersey is home to more than 9,000 farms covering 715,057 acres of farmland. The state is among the leaders in many forms of agricultural production. For example, New Jersey ranks: 5th in blueberry production, 3rd in cranberry production, 3rd in spinach, 3rd in bell peppers and 4th in peach production. The state also 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.

About Edible Jersey: Edible Jersey celebrates the local, seasonal food of the Garden State. Launched in 2007 and published six times per year, the magazine tells the story of the local farmers, fishermen, chefs, home cooks, food artisans, brewers, vintners and others who energize New Jersey’s culinary community. The magazine’s mission is further extended through its popular website, e-newsletter and other digital venues.

Edible Jersey is a proud member of Edible Communities, a network of over 80 titles throughout the U.S. and Canada devoted to local and regional food. In 2011, Edible Jersey along with the entire Edible Communities organization was named Publication of the Year by the James Beard Foundation. ediblejersey.com