In The News Archives - Page 2 of 15

November 5: Slow Food East End’s Annual Public Board Meeting

Oct 27, 2023 | Blog, Events, In The News

Join us for Slow Food East End’s Annual Public Board Meeting

(It’s free and it’s fun!)

Sunday, November 5, 3:00 – 5:00pm

at Veteran’s Park Community Center

11280 Peconic Bay Blvd in Mattituck

Slow Food East End’s Annual Public Board Meeting is next on our community agenda. We hope you’ll join for us to for a casual afternoon potluck — Slow Food style!

Everyone is welcome to slow the forks down with us as we share news about our year and elect new members to our board.

Come to taste & share: We will provide Long Island Wine County Wines to pour. Our Board members are already planning the tastings we will bring from our kitchens for nibbling. Our hope is that you’ll also bring a homemade taste to share, ideally made from your favorite locally sourced provisions. But this is not a deal-breaker; even if you don’t cook, please come!

At our open house, we will be showcasing the ways in which we are nourishing our community through our various SFEE programs. This is a great opportunity to learn/share more about our ongoing Feed the Forks initiatives, including…

Flour Power – our home-based community baking program, where YOU can provide freshly baked bread to local food pantries.

Edible School Gardens – for more than 10 years, SFEE has supported one of the most successful school garden programs in the U.S. reconnecting children and their families with real food, and inspiring their local communities to eat well.

Snail of Approval – This award is given to businesses that incorporate the Slow Food ideals of championing virtues of local sources that are good, clean & fair for all. It brings recognition to amazing food businesses that are excelling in sourcing, environmental impact, cultural connection, community involvement, staff support, and/or business values.

We’ve had a busy year and are looking forward to a productive, informative and social 2024.

All welcome; bring a friend.

RSVP for Annual Public Board Meeting

Negroni Week Recap

Oct 6, 2023 | Blog, In The News, Past Events

The week of September 18-24, people across our East End community enjoyed the iconic Negroni while supporting the Slow Food movement. With shared Italian roots and interest in a fair food and beverage system, Slow Food, Campari, and the Negroni are the perfect pairing.

For the past 10 years, Slow Food, Imbibe Magazine, and Campari have joined forces to increase their collective impact by using donations raised during Negroni Week to provide incubator grants for activities that support and promote good, clean, and fair food and beverage.

Here on the East End, we were fortunate to receive a grant earlier this year to expand our Flour Power program. This is a program that provides healthy and nutritious bread to people in need. The additional funds from the Negroni Week grant will be a significant boost to our efforts.

Thanks to all the restaurants, bars, art museums, liquor stores, and chocolate shops across the Forks that participated. We had fourteen venues on the East End register, and several of our participants sponsored some specials and fun events during the week. Pictured here are a few highlights:

An evening with our guest leader, Nichole Sinning, enjoying the Negroni variation “Your Momma Don’t Dance” at Townline BBQ
Tropical Negroni and snack pairing at Love Lane Kitchen in Mattituck, cocktails crafted by Joe Coleman at Doublespeak Cocktails
Dinner at Noah’s with a round of classic Negroni’s enjoyed by guest leader, Becky Chidester and her East Marion friends.

Thanks for Coming To Slow F.I.S.H

Aug 16, 2023 | Blog, In The News, Past Events

Seafood was on the menu and everyone’s mind as our Slow Food family and friends at the Suffolk County Marine Environmental Learning Center came together to enjoy a night to celebrate our unique East End Merroir. We tasted oysters from four different local merroirs and incredible fresh local seafood dishes, all paired with local wines while learning so much about sustainable fishing operations in our local waterways.

Our knowledgeable friends at Cornell Cooperative Extension located along the scenic shores of Cedar Beach in Southold study our local waters looking for solutions to keep them healthy, productive, and sustainable so they remain that way for years to come. Commercial and recreational harvesting of seafood is a way of life on Long Island so preserving the viability of this industry and essential food source is critical for our community and marine resources.

Presentations by Cornell Fisheries and Aquaculture specialists were informative and engaging. We learned about Cornell’s “Choose Local F.I.S.H.” (Fresh. Indigenous. Sustainable. Healthy) initiatives to encourage all to discover the variety of local fish choices Long Island has to offer.

Purchasing local seafood enables consumers to know the direct origin of their food. Increased marketing of local seafood supports the economic viability of our coastal fishing communities and small businesses and boosts the economic value of Long Island’s seafood industry while providing consumers with fresher and higher-quality seafood. When purchasing locally caught fish, you can be sure that fish is sustainably harvested and in compliance with U.S. and state regulations which are some of the strictest in the world. So do eat more local seafood!

Guests toured the amazing hatchery, where tens of millions of oyster seeds are hatched, raised, fed, and released each year. These remarkable shellfish are natural water purifiers, each adult filters about 50 gallons of water a day making oysters among the most sustainable seafoods on earth. The CCE hatchery has perfected nurturing the minuscule shellfish seeds in containment away from predators to be released when they reach adult size into local creeks and bays to promote wild settlement. The staff also developed the community SPAT program to enlist community members to learn to grow oysters. Over 1000 locals have taken part in the program so far, many going on to start their own oyster companies. If you are interested in fostering thousands or so babies, new SPAT memberships are available each year.

Four oyster companies provided shellfish, shucked to order by hatchery staff, it was wonderful to do side-by-side tastings to easily compare the distinct flavor differences between oysters harvested from farms in different local waterways. Served were: Davy Jones Shellfish, known for wild-caught and farm-raised oysters; Hampton Oyster Company specializing in deep-water, surface-grown oysters; Montauk Pearls which are seeded in Lake Montauk and followed by deep water finishing in Block Island Sound; and Peconic Gold Oysters which are raised in the beautiful Great Peconic Bay between the North and South forks.

No food tasting would feel complete without wine to accompany the flavors. From sparkling wine to white varietals, classic roses, and ruby reds everyone got to enjoy comparing a variety of wines donated by Long Island Wine Country wineries. We encourage all to enjoy the fruits of our local terroirs as LIWC celebrates 50 years of local viniculture this year.

The additional educational components rounded out the night’s festivities:

* We learned to filet a variety of local fish and to shuck like a pro!

* We were lucky enough to be able to ask the Cornell Marine experts all of our marine and aquaculture questions.

* We met artists and artisans who are inspired by the waters. Thank you Lisl Reuschle of Adrift Designs (@adrift_northfork) who creates art from beach finds, a special favorite was her handcrafted oyster spoons. Al Goldberg displayed his famous handmade custom fishing rods and discussed what rods were best for different waters and species. Al has been a member of the Slow Food East End family for years, he has taught so many local fishermen and hobbyists how to fish properly. Thank you to Rory MacNish, part of the Cornell family and an SFEE friend who donated art and his talents photographing the night.

Proceeds for this event helped support two amazing not-for-profit organizations, Slow Food East End Feed the Forks initiatives and Choose Local F.I.S.H programming.

Thank you to the local businesses who made donations to our raffle and auction:

Al Goldberg

Sea Adventures Day Camp

Choose Local FISH

Stefanie Villani, Author

The CCE SPAT Program

Sea Explorers Marine Camp

We owe a big, delicious thank-you to Lombardi Catering of Love Lane Market. The amazingly beautiful spread they prepared for this event, kept us all happy and satisfied. We really enjoyed savoring the elegantly prepared fresh local fish sliders, salads, and other dishes. Owner Lauren Lombardi is known for her hospitality and delicious locally sourced menus but Lauren has also long been a supporter of Slow Food East End and was previously on the board of Slow Food East End.

Thank you also to At Your Service Party Tents and Events for donating essential and helpful rentals for our special event. If you are located on the East End and looking to support a local business that is ready to take care of all your rental needs, give the new owner, Steve Winick a call AYSPR is located in Mattituck.

ECI Awarded Snail of Approval

Aug 4, 2023 | Blog, In The News, Snail of Approval

The Ecological Culture Initiative, Hampton Bays was awarded a very well-deserved Snail of Approval award by Slow Food East End.

The mission of ECI is to advocate and educate the community in sustainable food production, wellness, and environmental stewardship. They do this through numerous programs including a garden, donating proceeds to St. Rosalies, a seed library at the Hampton Bays library, and a zero waste and composting program to name a few.

In recognition of their work and alignment with the Slow Food values of good, clean, and fair food for all, the Ecological Culture Initiative: ECI was presented with a Snail of Approval Award at Earth Day on April 22nd, 2023, an event they hosted and co-sponsored with SFEE. (link earth day blog here )

Accepting the award was Sr. Kerry Handal, a sister of St. Josephs for over 4 decades who advocated for ECI to establish the gardens and beehives there and works to focus attention on LI’s sustainability issues and solutions. Also accepting was Tony Romano who has led many ECI initiatives such as a successful community composting program which is a model he is hoping can be widely shared and implemented in other Long Island communities.

Snail of Approval Awards has long been a tradition for Slow Food, an international organization in over 160 countries. Snail Awards have typically been awarded to restaurants but Slow Food East End, the largest USA chapter has also decided to award local farms too. Our eco and biosystem depends on local farms that tend healthy soils, they are the source of our best foods. Snail Award winners must be businesses that are structured on principles that Slow Food believes are essential to receive recognition and honor the values of good, clean, and fair food for all.

To learn more visit them at 5793 Sound Ave, Riverhead, NY, United States, New York

ECI joins Ty Llwyd Farms Riverhead, Sang Lee Farms, Peconic; Green Thumb, Watermill; Deep Roots, Southold; Jamesport Farmstead, Jamesport; Amber waves, Amagansett; 8 hands farm, Cutchogue and Quail Hill Farm, Amagansett, as local East End farms having earned the Snail of Approval.

Visit our Snail of Approval page for more information on local restaurants, farms, and food producers who meet these standards and have previously been awarded our coveted Snail of Approval.

Long Island Wine Country Turns 50 this year!

Jul 28, 2023 | Blog, In The News

For those lucky enough to call the East End home, there is a lot to celebrate this year! It’s hard to believe it’s been 50 years since Louisa and Alex Hargrave first planted a commercial vineyard in Cutchogue. With the realization that our unique climate and fertile soils were ideally suited for winemaking, pioneering investors, grape-growers, and winemakers with a wide range of experience from around the world followed the Hargraves lead.

Over the last several decades the Long Island Wine Country has seen dramatic and exciting growth for producers and lovers of wine. Today Long Island boasts over 60 distinct wine producers and 3500 acres of cultivated grapevines between the maritime regions of North Fork, South Fork, and western Suffolk County.

If you want to join the celebration please join Slow Food East End and other fans of our distinguished wineries at Peconic Bay Vineyards on August 19th for the 50th Anniversary Grand Celebration. You’ll enjoy tasting wines from over 35 local wineries paired with delectable bites from over 20 top local culinary talents. We have our tickets, be sure to order yours soon!

From a sparkling wine made from pinot noir and chardonnay, a sparkling brut rosé to an elegant dry rosé, or white wines from sauvignon blanc, chardonnay, chenin blanc, pinot gris, riesling, or Gewürztraminer, and award-winning, nationally recognized red wines such as merlot and cabernet franc among others, Long Island has a wine for every palate. At the 50th Anniversary, wine lovers will experience the unique and captivating flavors of Long Island wines, crafted with care and passion by local winemakers, and savor a taste of the vibrant wine culture that thrives in this dynamic maritime region.

Slow Food East End believes that sustainable practices help protect our ecosystem and is critical for the future of our land and our health. So we congratulate all the winemakers who have devoted their careers to developing wineries that abide by these practices.

We are proud that Long Island Wine Country has been a sponsor and supporter of Slow Food East End this year. We especially thank As If Wines, Chronicle Wines, Saltbird, Brooklyn Oenology, Lieb Cellars, Macari Vineyards, Pellegrini Vineyards, Rose Hill Winery, SuhRu Wines, Sparkling Pointe Vineyards & Wolffer Estate Vineyard.

Delighted to share some fun facts about our local winery history….

Pindar Vineyards, founded in 1979, is Long Island’s largest vineyard
Premium Wine Group, a full-service custom crush and winemaking facility, opened in 2000 in Mattituck, NY. The first custom crush winery on the East Coast of the US.
In 2006 Osprey’s Dominion was awarded the coveted Jefferson Cup from the Atlantic Seaboard competition.
In 2010 Shinn Estates, now known as Rose Hill Vineyards, became the first East Coast winery to be solely powered by alternative energy.
In 2010 McCall Wines became Long Island’s first wind-powered farm.
In 2012 Long Island Sustainable Winegrowers was founded. LISW encourages consumers to learn more about the details and discover how deep sustainable growing practices have taken root on Long Island. Green wine and eco-savvy consumers have yet another choice they can make – one that supports their local economy, the land and people that create their favorite wines. It’s an entirely new way to look at Long Island wine.
In 2013 Channing Daughters Winery Petillant Naturel program began, producing the first Methode Ancestral wines on Long Island.
In 2014 Wolffer Estate’s launches Summer in a Bottle Rosé, which quickly gained National and Global recognition.
In 2016 Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate awards Wolffer Estate Christian’s Cuvée Merlot 94+ highest East Coast score.
In 2017 Lieb Cellars is the first winery in NY to introduce canned wine under the Bridge Lane label.
In 2018 Wolffer Estate bottled, for the first time, more than one million bottles of wine in a single year.

Ty Llwyd Farm Awarded Snail of Approval

Jul 26, 2023 | Blog, In The News, Snail of Approval

Slow Food East End is delighted to announce that Ty Llwyd Farm has received the prestigious Snail of Approval from our chapter.

On July 6th, the Slow Food East End team represented by board members, Pennie Schwartz, Robin Tyson-Stoehr, and Peter Berley, gathered at the farm in Riverhead, NY to present the Snail of Approval certificate.

The coveted Slow Food Snail of Approval (SoA) is granted to businesses internationally that embrace the principles of Slow Food, promoting the ideals of good, clean, and fair food. This esteemed award brings attention to outstanding food establishments that excel in multiple areas, such as sourcing, environmental impact, cultural connection, community involvement, staff support, and business values.

Ty Llwyd (Pronounced “Tee Clewed” is Welsh for Brown House) is a sixth-generation operation founded in 1870 as a potato farm. It is a family-run farm that has been added to the National Register of Historic Places and is located on 33 acres on Sound Avenue in Riverhead. The farm is run by Chris Wines and his parents, David and Elizabeth, who will greet you as you drive up. The business specializes in raw milk and is the only North Fork source for unpasteurized milk resulting in a very loyal and regular set of customers who come for the milk’s creamier taste and added health benefits. They also come for the delicious and healthy eggs which are offered up by the chickens roaming the farm.

Chris started the dairy operation in 2009 and comes from a long line of raw milk dairy farmers in his mother’s family in Wales. He keeps the number of cows relatively small, opting for a hands-on approach including feeding them grass rather than corn to produce a higher quality product from contented cows. When our team interviewed the family, you could see how well the family knew each cow including their names and a list written on the calendar in the barn had all the due dates for the calves coming in the Spring and early summer!

A visit to Ty Llwyd reminds one that “slow” practices learned from years of experience and a committed family vision make not only for a better product but also a better planet and community.