SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — The American Grown Field to Vase Dinner Tour announced its 2016 tour dates and locations today. The dinner tour is a series of pop-up communal dining experiences that take place at American flower farms and greenhouses across the country.
"Now in its second year, the Field to Vase Dinner Tour has been extremely popular, with dinners selling out during its inaugural year," said Kasey Cronquist, administrator for Certified American Grown Flowers. Each event features a seasonal, four-course meal prepared by a local chef, served at a table decorated with beautiful, local, American Grown Flowers by a local floral designer.
The first of ten events takes place March 12, 2015, at the largest flower farm in the United States, Sun Valley Floral Farms in Arcata, California. Participants will enjoy a private, guided tour by flower farmer Lane DeVries, experiencing rows of tulips and lilies in a wide array of colors. Guests will also hear from bestselling author Amy Stewart, author of Flowers Confidential, savor local fare served family-style at farm tables, and enjoy domestic wine and craft beer.
The dinner tour continues on through Washington, Colorado, Texas, Pennsylvania, Washington D.C., and New York. Each destination offers a new one-of-a-kind experience for guests, with different flower farms, flowers, floral designers and chefs featured at each dinner. "It's a dinner tour for flower and food lovers who believe in the value of locally sourced, sustainable food and flora and for people who want a rare opportunity to experience a romantic dinner on a beautiful flower farm," added Cronquist.
Attendees will leave with new friends, a swag bag of floral treasures and a greater understanding of why the flowers at the center of the table should be as fresh, local and sustainable as the food that's served on the plate.
Here are what guests and one of our hosts of Field to Vase Dinner tour are saying,
"Now in its second year, the Field to Vase Dinner Tour has a growing fan following. I know, because friends and colleagues who attended last year have been asking when the 2016 schedule will be unveiled. Once you experience an al fresco dinner on an American flower farm, it becomes a must-attend event," –Debra Prinzing, author and founder of Slow Flowers and Field to Vase Dinner Tour co-host and sponsor.
"A delicious meal plus sumptuous, sustainable-grown blooms plus caring farmers equals a memorable evening. One that you'll never forget." – Kathleen Brenzel, Sunset magazine's senior garden editor
"I've learned how flowers are a critical component of our local agriculture and face the same challenges vegetables, fruits, and meals face." ~ Brian C.
2016 Tour Dates
(4 additional dates and locations will be added soon)
March 12th: Arcata, CA~ Sun Valley Floral Farms
April 13th: Carlsbad, CA ~ The Flower Fields
May 21st: Austin, TX~ Texas Specialty Cut Flowers
August 13th: Boulder, CO ~ The Fresh Herb Co.
September 14th: Quakertown, PA ~ Thistle Dew Farm
September 17th: Standfordville, NY~ Bear Creek Dahlias
To download photographs of from the 2015 Field to Vase Dinner tour, click here.
Ticket details:
Reservations, details and the full lineup of participating American Flower Farms can be found at the www.americangrownflowers.com/fieldtovase.
About Certified American Grown: Launched on July 1, 2014, Certified American Grown represents a unified and diverse coalition of U.S. flower farms, including small and large entities in multiple states across the country. Certified American Grown flower farms participate in an independent, third-party supply-chain audit to verify both origin and assembly of the flowers they grow. When it appears on bouquets, bunches and other packaging or store signage, the Certified American Grown Brand and Logo give consumers confidence in the source of their flowers and assures them that the flowers they purchase come from a domestic American flower farm. For more information about Certified American Grown flowers, visit www.americangrownflowers.com or Facebook.com/FieldToVaseDinnerTour
Contact: Kasey Cronquist
Certified American Grown
(805) 696-5000
kasey@americangrownflowers.org
Source: Certified American Grown
