Georgia Grown Adds Flavor to Atlanta Food & Wine Festival
Blueberries, Peaches, Pecans, Watermelons and Vidalia Onions® Stir Up Attention as Gold Sponsors
ATLANTA, GA (May 8, 2012) – Five stars of the Georgia Grown program are the ingredients in what promises to be a tasty draw for visitors to the Atlanta Food & Wine Festival this May. The Georgia Blueberry Commission, Georgia Peach Council, Georgia Pecan Commission, Vidalia® Onion Committee and Georgia Watermelon Association will collectively exhibit the unique flavors of their crops during the four?day culinary event, which returns to Midtown Atlanta this May 10-13, 2012, for its second year.
Attendees will sample the culinary creations of select chefs who will incorporate Georgia fruits and vegetables in special dishes and beverages at the "Farm Fresh" Tasting Tent Trail. These Georgia Grown flavors will also be featured at a special Georgia "Cream of the Crop" opening night dinner at Atlanta's esteemed ARIA restaurant and during a Saturday evening cocktail hour that will feature the fresh favorites.
Gary W. Black, Georgia Department of Agriculture Commissioner notes, "We are delighted to have the opportunity to share the commodities that come from our great state. Our hope is to inspire the community to cook with more delicious Georgia grown products."
For tickets to the Atlanta Food & Wine Festival and admittance to festival events, please visit www.atlfoodandwinefestival.com.
About Georgia Grown
Georgia Grown is a program designed to help businesses with a vested interest in agriculture become even more successful. Our goal is to aid our agricultural economies by bringing together producers, processors, suppliers, distributors, retailers, agritourism and consumers in one powerful, statewide community. For more information, please visit http://www.georgiagrown.com.
About Georgia Blueberry Commission
In 2009, the Georgia Department of Agriculture formed the Georgia Blueberry Commission as a program to support research, education and promotion on behalf of the state's growers. Georgia claims the longest season in the U.S. lasting from mid-April through the end of July to enjoy fresh Georgia Blueberries – our very own "Sweet Georgia Blues." For more information, recipes and background on Georgia Blueberries, log onto www.GeorgiaBlueberries.org.
About Georgia Peaches
Famous and beloved for its mouth-watering peaches, each year Georgia produces over 130 million pounds of the fruit between mid-May and mid-August. Delicious and nutritious, Georgia peaches are high in fiber and major nutrients, including vitamins A, C and potassium, and made up of 87% water. And, a real plus for calorie-counters, a medium-sized Georgia peach contains only 38 calories, fewer than comparable-sized apples or pears. Though peaches were originally planted in St. Augustine, Fla., Franciscan monks introduced them to St. Simons and Cumberland islands along Georgia's coast in 1571. For more information, visit www.gapeaches.org.
About Georgia Pecan Commission
Founded in 1995, the Georgia Pecan Commission is comprised of all Georgia Pecan growers with 30 acres or more of pecan-producing farmland. The Commission funds research, educational and promotional programs to increase awareness and raise demand for Georgia Pecans. Historically, Georgia produces more pecans each year than any other state in the nation. To learn more about Georgia Pecans, visit www.AntioxiNUT.org.
About Vidalia® Onions
Vidalia® Onions are the pioneer of sweet onions and Georgia's official state vegetable. Grown only in the mild climate and unique soil surrounding Vidalia, Ga., they're loved by chefs and home cooks throughout the world. Vidalia® Onions are hand-planted and hand-harvested each year, with sweet, juicy bulbs available seasonally from late April to late August. Their mild, sweet taste makes Vidalia® Onions more versatile than stronger onions. And these Georgia sweeties are a low-calorie, fat, cholesterol, and sodium-free way to get a healthy dose of Vitamin C. For more information, visit www.VidaliaOnion.org.
About Georgia Watermelon Association
Georgia Watermelon Association's (GWA) primary mission is to actively support the watermelon industry of Georgia. The membership represents growers, shippers, buyers and suppliers to the industry. GWA is proactive in addressing issues and challenges that face the industry and is committed to ensuring the long-term success and sustainability of Georgia's watermelon industry. One of the primary objectives of GWA is the promotion and marketing of Georgia watermelons through the Queen program.
