DEVAL L. PATRICK
Governor
TIMOTHY P. MURRAY
Lieutenant Governor
Ian A. Bowles
Secretary
Patrick Administration Invites Bay State Residents and Visitors to Savor the Flavors of Massachusetts
New initiatives encouraging culinary tourism kick off this month
"Savor Massachusetts is one of our newest Massachusetts Grown and Fresher Programs and a natural extension of our efforts to promote agri-tourism throughout our Commonwealth,” said DAR Commissioner Scott Soares. “I invite residents and visitors to the Bay State to celebrate and enjoy Massachusetts farms, farm products, and festivals - one taste at a time."
“The local farm to table industry is a vital part of the Commonwealth’s appeal” said Betsy Wall, executive director Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism “and a rising interest among visitors looking for fresh and unique culinary experiences.”
Culinary tourism is a growing industry that helps tourists plan trips based on what and where they want to eat. The emerging niche market helps develop and promote local food and drink as the main attractions for culinary travelers, fostering support for local communities and economic development.
The Bay State’s culinary tourism attractions include:
- Brewery Tours
- Culinary Education
- Culinary Events and Farm Festivals
- Ethnic Markets and Food Production Tours
- Farms with Restaurants and Cafés
- Farm Tours
- Wine and Cheese Trails
- Winery Tours
Go to www.mass.gov/massgrown and click on Savor Massachusetts for a guide to culinary opportunities available in Massachusetts. In addition, The Massachusetts Wine and Cheese Trails, produced by DAR and the Massachusetts Farm Wineries Association is available at www.MassWinery.com.
For instance, 18 Massachusetts cheesemakers make more than 75 varieties of artisan and farmstead cheeses, and 11 of them give public tours by appointment. There are 34 licensed wineries in Massachusetts and at least 21are open for tours and tastings of award winning-grape and fruit wines. Communities that host wineries and cheesemakers are: Needham, Carlisle, Topsfield, Ipswich, Lincoln, South Dartmouth, North Dartmouth, Richmond, Monterey, Hatfield, Westport, Westport Point, Haverhill, Plymouth, New Bedford, East Falmouth, Nantucket, Sterling, Bolton, Winchendon, Manson, New Marlborough, Charlemont, Williamstown, Holland, Hubbardston, Charlton, Hardwick and North Truro.
Savor Massachusetts was developed collaboratively by DAR and MOTT, with funding from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Specialty Crop program. The group worked together to produce resources for local specialty crop growers, consumers and chefs to strengthen opportunities for farmers and producers in Massachusetts.
The first ever Massachusetts Wine and Cheese Trail was funded through a $26,000 USDA Rural Development Grant, awarded to DAR. The goals of USDA Rural Development Grants are to increase economic opportunity and improve the quality of life for rural Americans.
Every year, the USDA invites states to apply for grant funds under the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program-Farm Bill. Grants are awarded based on the value of specialty crops grown in that state. Specialty crops, as defined by the USDA, include fruits and vegetables, dried fruit, tree nuts, horticulture and nursery crops. In May 2008, DAR received $62,000 to develop the culinary tourism initiative. A second installment of the grant was awarded in April 2009 for $40,000. The goal of Savor Massachusetts is to strengthen opportunities and enhance the profitability of Massachusetts specialty crop farmers and producers.
The DAR mission is to ensure the long-term viability of local agriculture in Massachusetts. Through its four divisions – Agricultural Development, Animal Health, Crop and Pest Services, and Technical Assistance – the DAR strives to support, regulate, and enhance the Commonwealth’s agricultural community, working to promote economically and environmentally sound food safety and animal health measures, and fulfill agriculture’s role in energy conservation and production.