Crisco gives compliments to area chefs

In advance of state's Farm-to-Chef Week

HARTFORD - State Sen. Joseph J. Crisco, Jr. , D-Woodbridge, today gave ‘compliments’ to the local chefs who will participate in Connecticut’s Farm-to-Chef Week next week. 

The initiative by the state Department of Agriculture showcases a host of farm products grown and/or made in Connecticut; this year’s fourth annual edition of Farm-to-Chef Week runs from Sept. 15-21.

Crisco explained how participating chefs at restaurants, hotels, and in other large-scale kitchens agree to create special menu items highlighting one or more home-grown ingredients.

“The timing of Farm-to-Chef week coincides with the plentiful harvest Connecticut enjoys each year at this time of year – I’m delighted to know five area food service operations will share with their patrons the bounty of our state and its food producers,” Crisco said. 

“The benefits of eating and drinking locally grown products are twofold: fresh food is by definition healthier for us, and food from nearby producers doesn’t require expensive packaging and transportation, which keep costs down and help preserve the environment.”

Crisco said the five local participants in this year’s Farm-to-Chef Week are Arden Courts of Hamden, Chartwells at Amity High School in Woodbridge, restaurants at both Eli Whitney Technical High School in Hamden and Emmett O’Brien Technical High School in Ansonia, and the Town of Woodbridge Senior Center.

“As well as providing nutritious, fresh food for residents, locally grown and produced foods contribute $3.5 billion to the state economy and represent about 20,000 Connecticut jobs,” Gov. Dannel P. Malloy said while promoting Farm-to-Chef Week. 

“Our state’s farmers produce an astoundingly wide variety of foods, and Farm-to-Chef Week is a great opportunity for people to get out there and really enjoy everything Connecticut has to offer.”

Crisco said more information about Farm-to-Chef Week is available through the state Department of Agriculture and at http://ctfarmtochefnetwork.typepad.com/ct-farm-to-chef-network/about-us.html/.

 This is a press release from Crisco's office.