Lowcountry Local First has made its mission
LOWCOUNTRY LOCAL FIRST GEARS UP FOR EAT LOCAL MONTH
Area-wide celebration of local restaurants, growers and providers in Charleston, April 1-30, 2014
CHARLESTON, SC March 12, 2014 – Lowcountry Local First (LLF), a nonprofit dedicated to growing Charleston’s local economy by strengthening community support for locally-owned businesses and farmers, will kick-off its third annual Eat Local Month on April 1st. Eat Local Month, presented by Limehouse Produce, is a Lowcountry Local First initiative providing fun, hands-on educational opportunities and events for the community to actively engage in eating what is ripe, delicious and in season while directly connecting with local farmers, restaurants, businesses and organizations that make the Lowcountry a one-of-a-kind place to live.
“Eat Local Month is a celebration of the Lowcountry’s farm-to-table movement and is focused on empowering the community to take an active role in our local food economy,” says Lowcountry Local First’s Sustainable Agriculture Program Director, Nikki Seibert. “It’s about making connections to the farmers and fishermen harvesting our food, integrating buying local into our daily lives and experiencing local culinary treasures.”
Lowcountry Local First encourages individuals, families, schools and workplaces to get involved with Eat Local Month throughout April by visiting farmer’s markets, meeting local farmers, and supporting farm-to-table chefs. Some of LLF’s month-long initiatives and events include:
· Eat Local Challenge where the general public is challenged to shift $10 (or more) of their weekly food budget to local;
· LLF’s 5% Day at Whole Foods Market on April 1;
· Plow to Chow chef demonstrations at the reopening of the Charleston Farmer’s Market in Marion Square on April 12;
· Lowcountry Farm Tours on April 19 where you’ll learn about local farming practices and indulge in local fare during a self-guided tour through Johns & Wadmalaw Island farms;
· 7th annual Chef’s Potluck on April 27 featuring 16 chefs paired up with Charleston area farmers, fishermen, ranchers and producers to serve locally-sourced dishes along with local libations, live music and a special live auction hosted by local comedian, Dusty Slay.
All funds raised during Eat Local Month support Lowcountry Local First’s work in sustainable agriculture. To date, LLF has put 95 apprentices through the Growing New Farmers Program and launched Dirt Works Incubator Farm among other initiatives.
Eat Local Month 2014 is sponsored by: Limehouse Produce, Charleston Area Conventions & Visitors Bureau, Glass Onion, Middleton Place, Nelson Printing, Ruth’s House, Sonitrol, Sun Dog Cat Moon, Art Mag, Charleston City Paper, Charleston Magazine, and The Bridge 105.5.
About: Lowcountry Local First is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that seeks to cultivate an environment of success for local independent businesses and farmers. Through its Buy Local, Eat Local and Local Works Initiatives, LLF raises awareness about the positive fiscal and societal benefits of supporting a local living economy and assists local businesses with enhancing their growth and visibility.
LEARN MORE about Eat Local Month happenings and purchase tickets visit lowcountrylocalfirst.org, email misty@lowcountrylocalfirst.org; or find us on Twitter: @lowcountrylocal and Facebook: facebook.com/LowcountryLocalFirst.
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