Quail Hill Farm Awarded Snail of Approval

Jul 22, 2023 | Blog, In The News, Snail of Approval

Quail Hill Farm was awarded a very well-deserved Snail of Approval award by Slow Food East End. This award was originally announced at our Earth Day celebration in April but was officially presented to Layton Gunether, Quail Hill Farm director, and the farm team at the farm’s annual CSA potluck dinner event on Saturday, July 15, 2023.

CSA members gathered at the orchid to grill and share the bounty of the farm with each other, on what was a beautiful day sandwiched between two extremely rainy days, an auspicious sign for a sweet celebration. It was wonderful to share the celebration with the CSA members and gather together to celebrate the bounty of Quail Hill’s 2023 harvest but also the bountiful legacy and community connections that are grown and nurtured on the farm.

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.

Quail Hill aced the qualities that we evaluate. These factors include local sourcing, the use of toxin-free products and resources, a devotion to sustainable or organic environmental impact, excellent community involvement, for example, supporting The Bridgehampton Child Care Center with substantive donations of produce and of course exercising fair business values to keep prices low by relying on CSA members to help pick their own produce and flowers. This unique CSA model also provides members with a personal connection to their food. Quail Hill also depends on apprentices to manage the farm, the farm is known for its exceptional mentoring program where apprentices learn not only how to farm but more importantly how to run a farm. Over 100 Quail Hill apprentices have gone on to run farms across the country.

Quail Hill, located in Amagansett, has long been a visionary farm embracing food fairness, healthy soils, and fair business management while continually striving to meet the needs of the local community and CSA members. Quail Hill’s legacy has deep roots locally and nationally as a true leader of the CSA movement as one of the original community-supported farms in the U.S. John Halsey, the founder of Peconic Land Trust guided the stewardship project on land donated by Deborah Ann Light, her generous donation of 35 acres of land that had been continuously farmed for 10 generations; her vision that land should be for everyone to enjoy and should be used for growing has become a reality, this farm founded by Scott Chaskey and now directed by Layton Guenther today serves over 250 families.

Slow Food East End is proud to recognize the achievements and legacy of Quail Hill, each year the farm signs onto the Northeast Organic Farming Association, New York Farmer’s Pledge “to sustain the land in healthy condition for future generations.”

CLICK HERE TO WATCH VIDEO ABOUT QUAIL HILL

Thanks for Coming To Slow Hour at Macari Vineyards

Jul 17, 2023 | Blog, In The News, Slow Hour

We hosted a Slow Hour last week at Macari Vineyards, and it exceeded all of our expectations… and our expectations are high! Slow Hour is our version of Happy Hour, but better. These events allow us to slow down, enjoy each other’s company, and some local wine. Thank you to our friends, the Macari family, whose vineyard is unbelievably gorgeous and has received recognition for its composting program. We couldn’t have asked for better hosts, a better venue, or better wine. Everyone enjoyed the nibbles of rustic pizza slices served up by Washington Squares Pizza, made with all New York State ingredients, including vegan and gluten-free options.

Mary Morgan, one of the founders of our Slow Food East End chapter, and an activist and influencer for food waste solutions, was on hand to share in the conversation that evening. We also owe a huge thank you to the Long Island Organics Council for joining us and sharing information about their new East End Countertop Recycling Pilot. This special pilot program is being launched this summer for households on the East End of Long Island to test a countertop recycler as a food waste solution for our region. Our members couldn’t wait to get their hands on these ground-breaking machines. The pilot, a partnership between the Long Island Organics Council and Food Cycle Science, begins August 1 and runs through December 31, 2023.

Join our East End Pilot: The community climate solution

Press start + turn green to soil gold
Lower your carbon footprint
Provide community data for our towns
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Early Snail Special & School Bonus

You can join this composting pilot program early! While the East End pilot officially begins August 1, you can join as early as July 1 as part of an “early snail special” offered by Slow Food East End. Special bonus: for every 50 participants who join in July, our East End Chapter will earn a countertop FoodCycler for our Chefs in Schools program.

“We were delighted to offer this pilot as an ‘early snail special’ to our membership in our continuing effort to bring new ideas to the region. This can benefit our school program, as after 50 people join, we receive a FoodCycler, SFEE is able to donate a unit to local East End schools and food pantries in need,” said Maria McBride, Slow Food East End’s vice president, and a pilot advisor.

Interested?

Find out more on the special East End Countertop Recycler Pilot – HERE.

Questions?

Contact Mary Morgan, Pilot manager: EastEndCountertopRecyclerPilot@gmail.com

Join us! Let’s all recycle food scraps and regenerate our soils!

We had a blast, and we hope you’ll join us for our next Slow Hour. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay in the know.

Amber Waves Awarded Snail of Approval

Jul 13, 2023 | In The News, Snail of Approval

On Friday, June 30th, the Slow Food East End team represented by board members, Maria McBride, Robin Tyson-Stoehr, and guest leader, Nicole Sinning, gathered at Amber Waves in Amagansett, NY to award owners Amanda Merrow and Katie Baldwin the Snail of Approval. The presentation coincided with an Amber Waves CSA potluck dinner where members and their families enjoyed a farm tour, homemade dishes, and wood-fire pizzas prepared by Amanda and the Amber Waves team.

The coveted 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.

Amber Waves Farm began as a result of an apprenticeship that fostered a deep friendship, igniting a shared dream to nourish the local community. Situated by the ocean, Amber Waves seamlessly integrates food and community, striving to offer enriching agricultural education for aspiring growers, conscientious cooks, and individuals of all ages. As they enter their 15th season, Amber Waves is poised to become one of the foremost educational farm operations in the nation, brimming with boundless potential. What started as a team of two has blossomed into a diverse collective of farmers, educators, culinary experts, and market staff. With a thriving CSA membership comprising over 250 families, they actively organize captivating workshops and programs catering to both children and adults. Moreover, Amber Waves proudly houses a flourishing market and kitchen in a prime location on Main Street, epitomizing their commitment to their vision.

When our Snail of Approval team initially visited Amber Waves in the spring, we were met by team member Claudine Nayan who was to be our tour guide, who gave us an overview of the farm and spoke about her individual path to her current role. We listened quietly as she described her background which included her memories of being a food pantry customer as she grew up and the difference it made in her life. Each team member we met with on our tour aptly described the work of the farm but what was most stirring was the very personal connection they had with the farm’s commitment to the community around them. It is evident in every aspect of the operation.

Each day, they welcome community members to explore the farm, and tours are also provided. Members are free to walk, picnic, and relax in the fields. They offer educational opportunities for children and families through robust programming and educational courses given on the farm. It is a hands-on approach to enable families and children to see how food grows, meet the farmers who grow it, and learn about food and farming through classes. For example, there are toddlers, kids, and teens offerings on farming and cooking. There is an exploration section of the garden where kids can be hands-on with crops and growing practices and return throughout the season to see the progress. Local schools often visit in addition to families. There is a robust

The apprenticeship Program is an example of educating future generations to work in the food and food policy arena. There is also an emphasis on providing connection, development, and education to staff members.

The farm store is stocked with produce they farm so sustainably and thoughtfully, delicious and healthy always changing with the seasons and feedback from their customers.

Amanda, Katie, and the entire Amber Waves team have much to be proud of and we are awarding Amber Waves a Snail of Approval in recognition of their work in not only feeding the community but also nourishing hearts and minds at the same time.

To learn more about Amber Waves, visit www.amberwavesfarm.org and find them at 367 Main Street, Amagansett, NY 11930.

Thanks for Coming To Our Fundraising Dinner at 1760 Homestead Farm

Jul 5, 2023 | Blog, In The News

Thank you to everyone who helped make our amazing farm-to-plate fundraising dinner at 1760 Homestead Farm a success! Honestly, this was one for the books… so many attendees are already asking how to get their tickets for the next dinner!

Slow Food East End welcomed guests to an intimate dinner for 40 diners at 1760 Homestead Farm in Riverhead. This event raised money to fund our Edible School Garden programs. Thanks to the Kaiser family at 1760 Farms, Chris Kelly of Promised Land Apiaries, Doublespeak Cocktail mixologist Joe Coleman and Long Island Wine Country for helping to make our honey-themed menu a beautiful star-lit, and delicious night at the farm.

We ate, we drank, we talked, we laughed, and we learned. And, so importantly, we raised money for our Edible School Gardens.

Each year we offer $10,000 in grants to local schools so they can buy deer fencing, water systems, fruit trees, rain barrels, etc. for individual school gardens throughout the East End. Funds raised from this evening will go directly into growing these grants. 🌱

A huge thank you to 1760 Homestead Farm for hosting us and to Farmer and Chef Lary Kaiser for the delicious food from the first bite to the last. The creative menu used ingredients straight from the farm. This is what farm-to-plate is all about. And that grape pie tho… 🍇

Chris Kelly, master beekeeper extraordinaire at Promise Land Apiaries gave an informative talk about the bees and their valuable role in our ecosystem. Chris is always both entertaining and knowledgeable. We took a hayride into the fields and he taught us how to maintain the hives on the farm that produced the sweet honey that was the main ingredient in our dinner. 🍯

Joe Coleman at Doublespeak Craft Cocktails deserves a huge thank you for shaking up the most delicious spirit-free drinks. Their mocktails were so incredibly creative; the recipes for Honey I’m Home and Golden Hour were crafted with local ingredients including infusions of Mattituck mushrooms and 1760 honey, of course. These two signature drinks made with gin and whiskey alternatives proved a delicious alternative to their spirited counterparts.🍹

Last but not least a big shout out to the Long Island Wine Country for pairing our dinner with an amazing selection of local wines. As they continue to celebrate their 50th year here on their East End, we are proud and grateful for the continued partnership 🍷

It never ceases to amaze us when our community comes together and we have an opportunity to slow down and share what we love to do. So many different people, so many like minds, and so many amazing east enders… we love you all.

If you would like to make a donation towards our local school garden program please click the button below. No amount is too small and 💯 of donations go directly to our Feed the Forks initiatives on the East End.

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Working together to keep our beaches clean!

Jun 6, 2023 | Blog, In The News

Slow Food East End is proud to sponsor a beach clean-up station in collaboration with Relic at 67 Steps Beach in Greenport.

Relic, established in 2016 by Westhampton brothers Aiden and Alex Kravitz, is a remarkable initiative dedicated to safeguarding our oceans. Among their numerous projects, one notable endeavor involves installing beach clean-up stations throughout Long Island. By partnering with local towns and communities, they facilitate voluntary trash collection efforts. With an impressive tally of approx 80 actively maintained clean-up stations across Long Island, they actively engage beachgoers in preserving our invaluable local resource—our beautiful beaches.

Furthermore, Relic is committed to preserving and restoring our marine ecosystems. They harness their artistic talents to design unique shirts that embody a global sustainability mission. For every shirt sold, Relic plants 5 oyster seeds. To date, they have contributed to planting over 15,000 oyster seeds in our local waters. It’s worth noting that a single oyster can filter approximately 50 gallons of water per day. With a target of filtering 1,000,000 gallons of water daily, Relic is tirelessly working towards a cleaner environment.

Next time you find yourself at one of our beautiful beaches dotting the East End be sure to check out their bright yellow baskets at the beach clean-up station! The baskets, similar to the handled ones you see in grocery stores, are easy to take along on beach walks. When you return you can empty its contents into a nearby trash can. Each station also features a QR code, where users can report what they’ve found or notify the team if maintenance is needed. To find a station near you, visit relic-sustainability.org.

We are excited and proud to be a part of keeping this initiative thriving and the incredible benefits it will bring forth to the East End and beyond.

Thank you to all our supporters, members and donors that participate in all of our fundraising efforts. Each time you buy a ticket to one of our events, make a donation,or spread the word about our efforts, it allows us to continue to do more. Together we can continue our support programs like these all around the East End and make a difference in our local community.

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Thanks for Celebrating Earth Day With Us!

May 1, 2023 | Blog, In The News, Past Events

THANK YOU! Over 300 folks turned out to celebrate Earth Day at Saint Joseph Villa, a retreat and renewal center shared by The Sisters of Saint Joseph of Brentwood along the shore of the Shinnecock Bay, the Villa is also home to the Ecological Culture Initiative and the Shinnecock Kelp Farmers.

On April 22nd, we celebrated with a heartwarming day. Our community came together and we listened, spoke, and learned from each other. All enjoyed shopping from amazing local vendors, eating incredible food from local chefs and bakers, and sipping delicious wines. We smiled and we laughed. We thanked Mother Earth for everything and it was an excellent chance to connect with eco-activists, local farmers, growers, artists, and artisans, to be introduced to a new plant-based publication and we even had an independent local bookseller with gardening books and much more.

We are thankful to the Long Island Wine Country Wines who this year are celebrating 50 years of winemaking on the East End. Wines were donated by As If Wines, Chronicle Wines, Lieb Cellars, Macari Vineyards, Pellegrini Vineyards, Rose Hill Winery, SuhRu Wines, Sparkling Pointe Vineyards & Wolffer Estate Vineyard.

We took the occasion to announce the first recipients of the SFEE 2023 Snail of Approval Awards which were presented to Ecological Culture Initiative (ECI) and Quail Hill Farm. Quail Hill was established in 1990 on land donated to The Peconic Land Trust, also celebrating 40 years of preservation this year. Destined to be trailblazers, Quail Hill became one of the first Community Supported Agriculture farms in the USA and the farm now raises produce and eggs to share with over 250 families from their 35 acres. ECI is much smaller but equally fruitful, it is a community garden of volunteer growers who tend 22 raised beds, and all produce is donated to St. Rosalie’s Food Pantry. ECI has also developed a community compost program that has become a template for other communities to replicate. Bravo to these agricultural doers and leaders!

Earth Day is as a reminder to be thankful for Earth’s natural resources and for all who work hard to protect our natural resources for future generations. Next year we plan to grow and have even more fun together. In the meantime, save the date for next year: Sunday, April 21, 2024, and enjoy these pictures from our event!