Guide Makes Buying Local Easy for Mass. Restaurants

"A Chef’s Guide to Massachusetts Farm Products" Now Available from State Department of Food and Agriculture

May 2, 2001

An updated directory of Massachusetts farms who sell to restaurants is now available from the Massachusetts Department of Food and Agriculture. "A Chef’s Guide to Massachusetts Farm Products" makes it easy for area chefs to locate Massachusetts farms to supply their restaurants with freshly-picked produce, herbs, dairy products, eggs, meats, fish, honey, maple syrup, wines, micro-brewed beer, and flowers.

Chefs who would like a copy of the guide should call David Webber at the Massachusetts Department of Food and Agriculture, 617-626-1754 or e-mail David.Webber@state.ma.us.

The guide lists more than 100 farms across the state that produce fruits, vegetables, herbs, flowers, dairy products, eggs, maple products, honey, poultry, meat, fish, wine and beer.

"The farms listed in this guide are committed to providing restaurants with the freshest and best tasting products available," commented Jonathan L. Healy, Massachusetts Commissioner of Food and Agriculture. "By supporting their efforts, restaurants will not only provide their customers with great tasting food, but also help sustain local farms thereby preserving open space."

Restaurants who feature Massachusetts farm products are eligible to use a new "Massachusetts...grown and fresher!" logo window decal. This attractive 3" x 5" decal can let restaurant customers know that Massachusetts farm products are featured.

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MEDIA CONTACT: Diane Baedeker Petit, 617-626-1752, Diane.Baedeker@state.ma.us

PROGRAM CONTACT: David Webber, 617-626-1754, David.Webber@state.ma.us