Norfolk Recipe Book launch at CNE kicks off many local food initiatives
TORONTO – The launch of the Norfolk County Recipe Book at the Canadian National Exhibition on Saturday, August 27, will kick off a series of unique local food and agriculture initiatives over the next two months in the rural municipality of Norfolk County, Ontario’s Garden.
The colourful Norfolk County Recipe Book will be launched by the Two Fairly Fat Guys, Norfolk County’s Official Local Food Ambassadors, at the CNE on Saturday. Copies of the recipe book featuring local Norfolk County ingredients will be handed out to Torontonians and others after the Fairly Fat Guy food demonstrations at 2:15 p.m. and 4 p.m. at the outdoor stage by the Farm building.
The Norfolk County Recipe Book is designed and produced with assistance from Norfolk County, the Province of Ontario, the Norfolk County Fair & Horse Show, as well as sponsors CD 98.9 FM, Willson International, VG Meats, Dennis Horseradish, and Comfort Inn Simcoe. The promotional initiative at the CNE is organized by the Norfolk County Fair & Horse Show, in cooperation with Norfolk County’s Tourism & Economic Development office and Comfort Inn Simcoe. Copies of the popular Norfolk County Map & Local Food Guide will also be distributed at the CNE.
Radio advertising promoting Norfolk County food, farmers and restaurants will begin in urban markets such as Hamilton and London in late August. The radio ads are voiced by Bryan Gilvesy of YU Ranch, Tom Haskett of The Cider Keg, and Heather Pond-Manorome of The Blue Elephant. On-line advertising on The Weather Network website will also direct consumers to the www.norfolkfarms.com website, where new profiles are being added each month under the “Meet the Farmer” section.
Starting on September 24, several restaurants in Norfolk County will be coordinating “A Taste of Norfolk”, a ten-day culinary event featuring local foods on their special menus. Participating restaurants include Barrel Pizza Restaurant, Belworth House, Blue Elephant, Causeway Restaurant, Florence Estate Winery, Neighbour’s Restaurant, Normandale Century Inn, and Serafina. For information, look under events at www.norfolktourism.ca.
Canada’s Fruit & Vegetable Tech X-Change runs September 1-3 in Norfolk County. The outdoor horticulture trade show allows growers and consumers to experience the latest technology, products, services and information firsthand in an outdoor farmland setting. Norfolk County will have an exhibit space there. For more information, visit www.fruitvegtechxchange.com.
On October 4, the “Harvest Dinner” will kick off the Norfolk County Fair & Horse Show. Featuring all local food, the ticket price includes the gourmet harvest dinner, VIP fair admission and parking, prize draws, a chance to meet Celebrity Chef Bob Blumer, plus preferred seating at the Burton Cummings concert. For more information, visit www.norfolkcountyfair.com.
Norfolk County FlavourFest is scheduled for October 4 through 10, at the Norfolk County Fair & Horse Show, Ontario’s largest rural fair. FlavourFest features over 25 local farmers and food supplies sampling and selling their products, as well as food demonstrations by Celebrity Chefs Bob Blumer and Ted Reader, as well as the Two Fairly Fat Guys. Visitors who purchase food at FlavourFest will receive a free Norfolk County Recipe Book and Norfolk County Map & Local Food Guide. For more information , visit www.norfolkfarms.com.
The past year has been a celebration of raised awareness for Norfolk County’s agriculture sector:
- The Simcoe Research Station celebrated its 50th anniversary.
- The Ontario’s South Coast Wineries & Growers Association, centered in Norfolk County, held its inaugural meeting and moved forward on key initiatives.
- Erie Innovations & Commercialization, a project centered in Norfolk County and operated by the Ontario Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association, continues to move forward.
- Norfolk County’s Alternative Land Use Services (ALUS) program continues to raise awareness about agricultural stewardship and ecological goods and services, serving as a model for the province.
- The new Regional Tourism Organization for Ontario’s South West featured Norfolk County in its Culinary Guide and website.
- South Central Ontario Region (SCOR) Economic Development Corporation continues to focus on important agricultural issues.
- The Norfolk County Agricultural Society held its second annual Eat Drink Norfolk event, which grew in popularity among local residents and tourists.
- Other events were started, including the Harvest Dinner at the Simcoe Rotary Friendship Festival and the Bonnieheath Lavender Festival. Doors Open Norfolk featured sites that had a connection to local food and flavours.
- Wineries continue to open in Norfolk County, including Burning Kiln and Wooden Bear L. Community Support Agriculture farmers continues to grow in popularity in Norfolk County, such as Wilsonville Organics and Heritage Lane Produce.
- Norfolk County also received funding from the Province of Ontario’s Broader Public Sector Initiative to bring more local ingredients onto the menus of health care institutions in the municipality, including Norview Lodge Long Term Health Care Facility.
- Norfolk County’s Agricultural Advisory Board continues to make strides advising Norfolk County Council on important farm-related issues.
For more information about Norfolk County foods, farms and agriculture, go to www.norfolkfarms.com.