Florida strawberry growers launch foodservice R&R program
Restaurant Recognition & Rewards program targets Florida chefs
PLANT CITY/DOVER, FLA – Many chefs and foodservice distributors have joined a national movement designed to support local and regional family farms. The Florida Strawberry Growers Association supports the effort by encouraging Florida-based chefs and restaurant managers to serve more Florida strawberries more often through a Restaurant Recognition & Rewards program. To be eligible, chefs simply need to write in 25 words or less, why they love serving Florida Strawberries.
A custom-designed certificate of appreciation will be sent to all participating properties. Several program participants will be rewarded for their support with a total of $5,000 in gift certificates.
Email your entry to sue@strawberrysue.com by March 31, 2011 or call 830-596-1949.
“We’ve received inquiries from foodservice representatives in Florida suggesting that chefs, foodservice buyers and distributors would like to support our farmers whenever possible by sourcing Florida-grown winter strawberries and other products from our state,” said Sue Harrell, director of marketing for the Florida Strawberry Growers Association. Some chefs are surprised to learn that Florida farmers grow and distribute fresh strawberries when many parts of the country are blanketed with snow.
“Foodservice representatives, chefs and retailers can learn more about the program by sending an email to sue@strawberrysue.com, or calling 830-596-1949. We look forward to sharing chef-developed recipes on our new blog at www.strawberrysue.com,” Harrell continued.
A sample of the certificate of appreciation may be viewed at the Strawberry Sue blog.
Florida strawberries, known as winter strawberries, are in the marketplace from Thanksgiving through Easter. Plant City, a town in Hillsborough County, Florida is recognized as The Winter Strawberry Capital of the World.
