Yuma, Arizona is the "Winter Vegetable Capital of the World." To celebrate and highlight the fresh produce industry, the Yuma Fresh Vegetable Association has created a unique, authentic dining experience. Farm Fresh Forks is a vegetable tasting program modeled after wine tasting experiences. Six Yuma restaurants will be participating by showing what Yuma's growing. These include: The Patio Restaurant at the Hills, River City Grill, Garden Café, Mostly Muffins, 2Fifty1Downtown and Takos & Beer. They will all be offering the vegetable tasting experiences starting January 9, 2018.
The 12-week program will highlight a different grower each week and three of their locally grown products. Chefs will create tasting plates so their guests will have an opportunity to try local produce in a variety of recipes.
Thanks to a grant from the USDA, YFVA has opportunities to promote Farm Fresh Forks on a national level. In addition to promoting Yuma's agriculture, the program also hopes to attract tourists to the area who have an interest in learning more about the agriculture industry. Farm Fresh Forks was recently highlighted on AZTV in Prescott, AZ to a state-wide audience.
"Wine has had the edge on tastings for centuries. Vegetables have many different tastes, colors, and textures. Thanks to the talent of six local chefs, their different recipes will also create a unique experience at each setting," shared Steve Alameda, Yuma Fresh Vegetable Association's President. "We believe it's a win-win to pair our local products with chefs and then to promote this relationship through a tasting experience that everyone can enjoy. Not only will guests taste our produce, they will have an opportunity to learn about Yuma agriculture."
Participating farms include Top Flavor Farms; Amigo Farms; Barkley Ag; Tanimura & Antle; Harrison Farms; JV Smith Companies; Dole; L & R Corporation; TLC; Sabor Farms; 2M Sales; Pacific International Marketing; and Taylor Farms.
In addition to the 12-week tasting program, each restaurant will also have a special event open to the public to explain the program, offer additional tastings, meet the grower and more. For more information, please visit www.farmfreshforks.com. Yuma Fresh Vegetable Association's website is www.YumaFreshVeg.com.
Source: Yuma Fresh Vegetable Association
