NEWS

WIRES

OTHER

PA Preferred Products Are 'Main Course' at Gettysburg Festival Culinary Events

Redding said that a number of events associated with the festival will feature PA Preferred products. PA Preferred is the Department of Agriculture's branding program that helps consumers easily identify locally sourced products through its gold checkmark in a blue keystone logo.

There are more than 4,000 member locations enrolled in PA Preferred, including farmers markets, restaurants, food processors, grocery chains, craft breweries and wineries.

"Pennsylvanians are fortunate to enjoy a nearly year-round harvest of diverse and affordable agricultural products, thanks to our hardworking farmers," said Redding. "Events held throughout the year, like the Gettysburg Festival, enable us to not only enjoy the great food prepared in Pennsylvania, but also to celebrate the farmers who make the meals possible."

The highlight of the PA Preferred culinary events will take place on Saturday, June 19, with the presentation of the 2010 Governor's Award for Culinary Arts at the Farm-to-Table Barn Dinner at Beech Spring Farms. Tickets to the dinner and the festival's other events are available at www.gettysburgfestival.org.

Also on Saturday, from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., classic picnic fare, panel discussions with chefs and culinary samplings and demonstrations by PA Preferred members will take place at the Festival Main Stage at Gettysburg College at the free All-American Brass Picnic and Culinary Food Fair.

Other culinary events featuring PA Preferred products at the Gettysburg Festival will include:

    --  Friday, June 18, from 5-8 p.m. - the Edible Art Tour of downtown
        Gettysburg will feature food prepared by local chefs at participating
        art galleries.
    --  Sunday, June 20, from 2-5 p.m. at the Lutheran Theological Seminary- A
        Hallowed Feast: A Culinary Union of the North and South; a family-style,
        farm-to-table Sunday supper.
    --  Wednesday, June 23, from 5:30-9 p.m. at Hauser Estate Winery -
        Steakhouse with a View; featuring local food and wine.
    --  Thursday, June 24, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Festival Main Stage,
        Gettysburg College - a Caribbean Cookout; a tropical salute to local
        ingredients.
    --  Saturday, June 26, from 5-8 p.m. at the Gettysburg Railroad Station -
        Blues, Beer and BBQ; where craft beer and local food take center stage.
    --  Sunday, June 27, Country Brunch at the world's largest Standardbred
        breeding farm, Hanover Shoe Farm. Seatings are at 9:45 a.m. and 11:30
        a.m.

"Locally grown food is fresh and delicious and lends itself just as well to daily meals in our homes as it does as the centerpiece of masterfully crafted culinary works of art," added Redding. "I hope the festival's visitors will take the opportunity to sample these items, but to ensure you're using the finest, Pennsylvania-produced products, look for the PA Preferred logo when grocery shopping or dining out."

For a searchable listing of PA Preferred members or a complete listing of Gettysburg Festival culinary events, visit www.papreferred.com and click on the festival banner.

Media contact: Nicole L. C. Bucher, 717-787-5085

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture