13 Aug 2013

Shrimp Corndog Wins Iowa State Fair New Food Contest

By Lori Chappell

DES MOINES, IA (08/13/2013)(readMedia)-- The Shrimp Corndog took top honors in the New Food Contest at the 2013 Iowa State Fair. The tasty new treat bested two other finalists after receiving over 75 percent of the votes. The winning dish will be available throughout the Fair, August 8-18.

The champion corndog offers a new twist on a Fair classic with three fresh shrimp dipped in corndog batter, fried to golden perfection and topped with a sweet jalapeno glaze. Fairgoers can find the savory snack at the Po Boy Stand on Rock Island Avenue.

Leslie Soukup will receive an official Iowa State Fair plaque and a year's worth of bragging rights for her winning entry.

The two other finalists, the Strawberry Smoothie On-a-stick and Bacon Wrapped Riblet, will also be available throughout the Fair at Turkey Time Concessions and Doc's Bud Tent, respectively.

Entries in the New Food Contest were open to all Fair concessionaires. Prior to the start of the Fair, the three finalists were chosen based on taste/flavor, presentation/appearance, creativity/originality and value. Fairgoers were invited to vote for their favorite finalist during the first four days of the Fair.

"Nothing Compares" to the 2013 Iowa State Fair, August 8-18. The Fairgrounds are located at East 30th and East University Avenue, just 10 minutes east of downtown Des Moines, and are open 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. each day of the Fair. Exhibit hours may vary. For more information, call 800/545-FAIR or visit iowastatefair.org.

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13 Aug 2013

Win Free Groceries for a Year Through America Needs Farmers

By Laurie Johns

Iowa Farm Bureau, University of Iowa Athletics Department and Hy-Vee Team Up for the ANF Great Grocery Giveaway

WEST DES MOINES, IOWA - August 13, 2013 - The state's largest general farm organization, Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF), today launched the ANF Great Grocery Giveaway in partnership with the University of Iowa Athletics Department and Hy-Vee. The grocery sweepstakes invites Iowans to meet today's farmers through video tours of their farms and register for a chance to win free groceries for a year worth $5,000.

Iowans can register for a chance to win by visiting www.americaneedsfarmers.org and taking virtual farm tours; each video they watch earns an entry in the ANF Great Grocery Giveaway while giving them an up close and personal look at five Iowa farm families.  Website visitors can register with each of the five farmers each day of the sweepstakes, which kicked off today, Farm Bureau Day at the Iowa State Fair, and runs until noon October 31, 2013.

The web-based farm video tours feature five diverse Iowa family farmers who grow corn or soybeans and raise pigs, beef or dairy cows.  "We're excited to be a part of this because as a family farmer, I believe in the value of transparency and education; most people who enjoy beef today don't live on a farm, but they want to know how we farm, how we raise our animals and how we keep them safe and healthy. It matters a lot.  I host farm tours, but I know not everyone has the time or opportunity to see a farm for themselves, so this is a great way to bring that farm experience right to them.  It's one way to show who we are, what we do and why it's all so important to do the right thing by our land, our community and our livestock," says David Rydberg, a cattle rancher from Essex, who is one of the featured farmers in the ANF Great Grocery Giveaway.

Following the sweepstakes, one lucky winner will be chosen at random for $5,000 in free groceries from their local Hy-Vee.

To meet more Iowa farmers and learn about how your food is grown and raised, visit www.americaneedsfarmers.org.

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About Iowa Farm Bureau

The Iowa Farm Bureau Federation is a grassroots, statewide organization dedicated to enhancing the People, Progress and Pride of Iowa.  More than 153,000 families in Iowa are Farm Bureau members, working together to achieve farm and rural prosperity.  For more information about Farm Bureau and agriculture, visit the online media center at www.iowafarmbureau.com.

13 Aug 2013

August 19th Juice Veggies Health Blair Road Community Garden Tour 6:30 pm

By DeeNice the Digital Dynamo
Juice Veggies Health.com Meetup
Special: Field Trip To the Juice Veggies Health Garden
DeeNice's Garden Plot (next to the Animal Rescue League)
Blair Rd NW & Oglethorpe St NW, Washington, DC 20012
Juice Veggies Health.com Meetup
Click Here to Get A Sneak Peek At
DeeNice Giving A Wild Tour of Her Garden
(Spoiler Alert - She Dances at the End of the Video)
Special: Field Trip To the Juice Veggies Health Garden
DeeNice's Garden Plot (next to the Animal Rescue League)
Blair Rd NW & Oglethorpe St NW, Washington, DC 20012

Monday, August 19th
Create, Grown & Harvest My Garden (Field Trip)
6:30 pm- 8:30 pm
$10.00 per person
Mark Your Calendar For Upcoming Dates:
Monday, September 16
Monday, October 14th
Need Fresh Sprouts, Kale Chips, Produce like Kale, Avocados, Collards, Broccoli and more? Learn How to Shop at a Cost That Won't Break Your Pocketbook!
06 Aug 2013

Indulge Your Senses with Chilean Wine and Cuisine

By Mark McLaughlin
Enjoy 'A Toast to Good Taste' at Pepperjack's American Food & Spirits

DAVENPORT, IA - Imagine the luxury of sitting down to a four-course dinner featuring Chilean wine and cuisine. It may sound like a dream come true - but how far would you need to travel for such a unique international dining experience?
Thanks to business partners Danny Holmes and Wes Ludloff, you don't have to travel any farther than 1225 E. Kimberly Road, Davenport, Iowa - the address of their restaurant, Pepperjack's American Food & Spirits.
At 6:30 p.m. Wed., August 21, Pepperjack's American Food & Spirits is offering 'A Toast to Good Taste' - a Chilean Wine Dinner for $45 per person. Patrons must secure reservations in advance with a credit card. Each of the four gourmet courses will be served with a different wine from Dimitri Wine & Spirits:
First Course
Sautéed mussels with lemon-butter sauce and garlic croutons. Served with Anakena Chardonnay.
Second Course
Ensalada Chilena: onion and tomato salad with avocado, blueberries, and honey lime vinaigrette. Served with Santa Carolina Reserve Sauvignon Blanc.
Third Course
Coriander-crusted corvine, Chile risotto with shitake mushrooms, and prosciutto-wrapped asparagus. Served with Santa Carolina Reserve Pinot Noir.
Fourth Course
Leche Asada: a Chilean version of caramel flan, topped with caramel, kiwi and almonds. Served with Casas Patronales Reserve Carmenere.
According to Ludloff, 'A Toast to Good Taste' is the first of many eclectic, enjoyable dining experiences that Pepperjack's plans to present to the community. "We are always looking to offer unique dining and entertainment experiences," he said, "and certainly, the Chilean Wine Dinner will be a memorable, one-of-a-kind experience. Dimitri Papageorgiou from Dimitri Wine & Spirits will present the wines and our own Chef Russell Bolar will present the foods. Wines served will be available for purchase by the bottle for those who wish to take some home."
In addition to the upcoming Chilean Wine Dinner, Pepperjack's also offers Open Mic/Karaoke in the lounge on Thursday nights, 8 p.m. to midnight, with extended Happy Hour specials, as well as Live Music on Friday nights.
"We are always scheduling something new," said Holmes. "We encourage community members in the Quad-Cities and the surrounding area to 'Like' us on Facebook and check our page frequently to see what we have to offer." The Facebook page for Pepperjack's American Food & Spirits is www.facebook.com/Pepperjacks.Restaurant.

For more information on Pepperjack's American Food & Spirits, call (563) 324-9525 or visit www.PepperjacksRestaurant.com.
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05 Aug 2013

USDA Celebrates National Farmers Market Week, August 4-10 Confirms Growth and Sustainability in Farmers Markets

By USDA Office of Communications
Confirms Growth and Sustainability in Farmers Markets

WASHINGTON, Aug. 5, 2013 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on Saturday celebrated National Farmers Market Week with a kick-off event at the Columbia Heights Farmers Market in Washington, D.C.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that 8,144 farmers markets are now listed in USDA's National Farmers Market Directory, up from about 5,000 in 2008. The Directory, voluntarily updated by farmers market managers, state departments of agriculture, marketing associations, and others, is published online at farmersmarkets.usda.gov. This year, the Directory has been upgraded to include a new Application Programming Interface (API) that improves customer access to farmers market data.

"Farmers markets are an important public face for agriculture and a critical part of our nation's food system," said Secretary Tom Vilsack. "They provide benefits not only to the farmers looking for important income opportunities, but also help fill a growing consumer demand for fresh, healthy foods. In recent years, USDA has stepped up efforts to support local and regional marketing opportunities for producers, including a modernized Farmer's Market Directory to help connect farmers, consumers, communities, and businesses around the country."

USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Administrator Anne Alonzo spoke at Saturday's farmers market celebration at Washington, D.C.'s Columbia Heights Marketplace announcing the newly updated National Farmers Market Directory information.

"Due to consumer demand for local food we are seeing an increase in the diversity of market offerings, and more participation from small businesses and farms," Agricultural Marketing Service Administrator Anne Alonzo said. "This year we are focusing on the sustainability and maturity of farmers markets- keeping new and old markets thriving and improving. Farmers markets around the country continue to be popular social events for families and communities."

Local food and direct marketing opportunities, including farmers markets, are one of the fastest growing segments of agriculture. According to the latest Census of Agriculture, direct sales of food products from farmers to individual consumers rose by nearly 50 percent between 2002 and 2007. Worth an estimated $1 billion in 2005, local food sales grew to $4.8 billion in 2007 and nearly $7 billion last year, according to industry estimates. For nearby businesses in major cities across the U.S., having a farmers market nearby means an average increase in sales of anywhere from $19,000 to $15 million (according to a Marketumbrella research paper published in 2012).

The 10 top states account for over half (51.3 percent) of all markets listed in the Directory database:

1. California (759)

2. New York (637)

3. Illinois (336)

4. Michigan (331)

5. Ohio (300)

6. Pennsylvania (290)

7. Massachusetts (289)

8. Wisconsin 286)

9. Missouri (New to list in 2013 - in 2012 was ranked 19th) (246)

9. Virginia (tie) (246)

10. Iowa (229)

10. North Carolina (tie) (229)

Geographic regions like the mid-Atlantic (Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia) increased to a 11.98 percent market share in 2013, from a 11.65 percent in 2012, the Northeast (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont) increased to a 29.11 percent market share in 2013, from a 27.48 percent share in 2012, and the Southeast region (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee) increased to a 5.03 percent market share in 2013, from a 4.79 percent share in 2012.

USDA has taken several steps to support direct marketing farmers as part of the Department's commitment to support local and regional food systems, and increase consumer access to fresh, healthy food in communities across the country. For example:

  • The USDA launched a new API for the National Farmers Market Directory in May which helps consumers locate farmers markets nearby. APIs enable programmers to interact directly with an open data source to work with real-time data?rather than a static data export that can become immediately out of date. The development is part of USDA's commitment to expanding opportunities for our local farmers markets and small businesses.
  • USDA's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), has outfitted more farmers markets with the ability to accept SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), to improve access to fresh produce and healthy foods by SNAP recipients. USDA recently announced $4 million dollars in available funding to help farmers markets and direct marketing farmers purchase and operate wireless point-of-sale equipment. Currently, over 3,800 farmers markets are authorized to accept SNAP in FY 2012, and farmers markets generate over $16 million in SNAP sales.
  • USDA's Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food initiative serves the growing local and regional market segment. This Initiative coordinates and strengthens USDA's work on local and regional food systems.

Many markets will host fun activities to celebrate National Farmers Market Week, including pie contests, festivals, cooking demonstrations, events for kids, raffle drawings and giveaways. USDA officials will visit markets around the country between Aug. 4 and Aug. 10, to honor growers and commemorate National Farmers Market Week.

The USDA National Farmers Market Directory is available at farmersmarkets.usda.gov. Users can search this year's enhanced directory for farmers markets based on location, available products, and types of payment accepted, including participation in federal nutrition programs such as SNAP and WIC. Farmers markets that participate in federal nutrition program improve access to healthy food in underserved communities across the country.

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23 Jul 2013

Eighteen New Foods to Debut at 2013 Iowa State Fair

By Lori Chappell

DES MOINES, IA (07/22/2013)(readMedia)-- "Happiness Is" new Fair foods and treats set to make their debut at the 2013 Iowa State Fair, August 8-18. The fresh menu offerings join the list of nearly 200 food choices available throughout the Fairgrounds.

Ten additional new foods will join the eight previously announced items that were part of the Fair's new food contest. Those eight foods, all served on-a-stick, include : Shrimp Corndog, Strawberry Smoothie, Bacon Wrapped Riblet, Sweet Corn Corndog, Deep Fried Brownie, Coconut Mountain, Rib Shack Cowboy and Soft Salted Chocolate-Dipped Almond Pretzel.

Other new foods include :

• Carmel Apple Funnel Cake at Westmorland Concessions

• Strawberry Funnel Cake at Westmorland Concessions

• Maple Bacon Funnel Cake at The Best Around Concessions

• Jalapeno Cheese Corndog at Campbell's Concessions

• Fresh Tenderloin Sandwich at Chuckie's Tenderloins

• Bratwurst on a Pretzel Bun at Arnold's Concessions

• Cajun Flavored Cheese Curds at Brad and Harry's Cheese Curds

• Deep Fried Prairie Oysters at Cattleman's Beef Quarters

• Fresh Wood Oven Pizza at Parlo Pizza

• Graham Champion Fair Square at the northwest corner of the Administration Building

Visit www.iowastatefair.org/fair-attractions/food for the complete list of new Fair foods, as well as a list of healthy and gluten-free options and vendor locations.

"Nothing Compares" to the Iowa State Fair set August 8-18, 2013. Save money on advance admission tickets now through August 7 (while supplies last). For more information, call 800/545-FAIR or visit iowastatefair.org.

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20 Jul 2013

$1 Tacos (and more!) at Rosy's

By Amanda Garcia
Rosy's Restaurant, 2618 W Locust St, Davenport, offers $1 tacos every day! Daily specials at breakfast, lunch and dinner including $1 tacos, the Rosy omelette, the Rosy skillet, Mexican omelette, sandwiches, burgers, salads, Mexican dishes, fish and chicken dinners. Breakfast served all day long.
18 Jul 2013

Local mixologists compete for spot in state final competition

By Stacy Kluesner

The Iowa Restaurant Association is hosting 5 regional mixology competitions, the third of which will be held July 30 at Van's Pub & Pizza in Davenport. The top two contestants will advance to the state final competition. The past two reigning champs advanced from the Davenport region.

Everyone is welcome to watch and taste. A few competitor spots are still available.  A few competitor spots are still available for this competition. If you've got what it takes, register today at www.restaurantiowa.com and prove that you are a master of mixology.
17 Jul 2013

THE 2013 DMACC MID-AMERICAN WINE COMPETITION AWARDS 66 GOLD MEDALS!

By Jennifer Mital

The Quad Cities' own Creekside Vineyards Winery of Preemption, Illinois, received 1 Gold medal, 1 Silver medal and 1 Bronze medal in the seventh Annual Mid-American Wine Competition held at the Des Moines Area Community College campus in Ankeny, IA.

"The quality of Midwestern wines continues to improve," said Bob Foster, Director of the Mid-American Wine Competition (MAWC). These are high quality wines that wine lovers should seek out and try."

The competition was held July 12-14 and included wines from 14 Midwestern states.

Professional wine judges from throughout the United States awarded 66 Gold medals, 155 Silver medals, and 188 Bronze medals. Full results can be found at www.midamericanwine.org.

"This marks the seventh consecutive year of the MAWC and we have had the distinction of watching the local wine industry develop into a great representation of our region," said Chief Judge Doug Frost of Kansas City. "The wine industry throughout the Midwest has evolved into tourist destinations, where wine enthusiasts visit local wineries. This helps the local economy and area wine industry."

The judges were selected by Frost, who has earned both the coveted Master of Wine degree and the Master Sommelier title. The judges, who have over 200 years of cumulative experience, are experts in wine production, service and distribution.

"We've added a new component following the wine competition this year," said MAWC Director Bob Foster. "A fund-raiser for the American Heart Association titled "Affair of the Heart" was held where wine enthusiasts could sample some of the award winning wines from the 2013 Mid-American Wine Competition."

17 Jul 2013

Local Winery Wins Big at Illinois State Fair Wine Competition

By Jennifer Mital

2013 Illinois State Fair Wine Competition Winners Announced

SPRINGFIELD - Nearly 400 local wines were presented to twelve judges at the Illinois State Fair Wine Competition, June 17-19, 2013 held at Lincoln Land Community College.

Quad Cities' own Creekside Vineyards Winery in Preemption, IL brought home 5 medals for its artisan wines, including:

  • Moonbeam 2012 La Crescent- GOLD (Best in Category)

  • Sweet Retreat 2012 Vignoles- SILVER

  • Blossom 2012 Vidal Blanc- SILVER

  • Rock Island Red 2011 Frontenac- BRONZE

  • Front Porch 2012 Traminette- BRONZE

 

Creekside Vineyards wines are available at its seasonal Wine Terrace in Coal Valley, its year round Tasting Room in Preemption IL, and various retail locations. "We're honored our wines scored so well at this year's competition; we pride ourselves in creating flavorful, high quality vintages. It is our hope that these results encourage people to explore not only our offerings, but those from other Illinois wineries as well," commented Creekside Vineyards' winemaker and owner John Mital.

A world-class panel of wine experts and enthusiasts judged the wines including:

  • Sarah Bowman, Southern Illinois University

  • Mel Runge, Indiana

  • Daniel Becker, Viticulturist

  • Jeffery Pankow, Blue Star Vineyard

  • Eric Da Costa, Rouge Wine Cellar, Inc.

  • August Mrozowski, Augie's Front Burner and American Harvest Restaurant

  • Mary Lynn Gietl-Deloney, The Corkscrew Wine Emporium

  • Lindsay Record, Illinois Stewardship Alliance

  • Steve Somermeyer, Chateau Thomas Winery, Indiana

  • Jeffery Wheeler, University of Kentucky

  • Gordon Rouse, Minnesota

  • Dr. Bradley Taylor, Southern Illinois University

 

Judges were divided into three panels designed to provide a tremendous depth and variety of experience, with special emphasis on hybrid wine styles and sensory characteristics. Judging was based on color, balance, aroma, clarity, taste and finish. Entries were judged using a 20-point score card. All wines with a panel majority score of 17 and above received a gold medal, 15 and above received a silver medal and wines 12 and higher were awarded a bronze medal. All gold medal winners competed for the "Best of Class" and the "Best of Show" designations. The special recognition of "Governor's Cup" was awarded to the best red, white, rosé, fruit, and dessert/sparkling wines produced from Illinois-grown fruit.

Best of Show went to Blue Sky Vineyard in Makanda, Illinois for their Chambourcin Reserve 2005. Made exclusively from estate grown Chambourcin, the Reserve is a full-bodied dry red Illinois wine with a smooth roasted oak character and hints of bright cherry and vanilla.

The Illinois Wine Competition awards Governor's Cups for the top Illinois-grown grape or fruit wines. This year's winners are:

 

Red Table: AcquaViva Winery Frontenac

White Table: Alto Vineyards Vidal Blanc

Blush/Rosé: Illinois Sparkling Co. Bride of Freak of Nature Sec

Fruit: Hedman Vineyards Peach Dessert

Dessert: Illinois Sparkling Co. Franken's French Hybrid Brut

 

Other awarded categories included Wines from any Appellation, Best of Show - Amateur Competition, and Label & Packaging. A complete list of results can be found at  http://www.illinoiswine.com/pdf/2013-wine-competition-results.pdf.

A ceremony and public tasting of the award-winning wines will be held Tuesday, August 13th at the Illinois Wine Experience during the Illinois State Fair in Springfield, Illinois. The Illinois Wine Experience is housed in the Twilight Ballroom located on Central Avenue between the U.S. Cellular High Dive Show and the Coliseum.

When asked to comment on the significance of this year's competition, Bradley Beam, the Illinois state enologist, and organizer of the contest, said, "The primary goal is to recognize the many outstanding wines produced in the state of Illinois. The number of medals awarded this year indicates that we, as an industry, are maintaining a very high degree of quality. For those entries that do not receive medals, the judges provide comments and feedback. While there are several wineries that produce wines of excellent quality year in and year out, it's important to remember that many of the vineyards and wineries in Illinois are relatively inexperienced. This feedback should help winemakers avoid repeating mistakes, and ultimately help our industry continue to improve."

The Illinois State Fair Wine Competition is sponsored and coordinated by the Illinois Grape Growers and Vintners Association (IGGVA). For the third year, the competition was held at Lincoln Land Community College further cementing its strong partnership with IGGVA.

IGGVA established in 1992, is a non-profit organization dedicated to developing the viticulture and enology interests of Illinois through information exchange and cooperation among Illinois grape producers and vintners.

The Illinois wine industry has exploded in recent years, growing from just 12 wineries in 1997 to over 100 today. During this time, the acreage devoted to grape production has grown at a tremendous rate, and today Illinois is consistently among the top 12 wine-producing states.

Today the Illinois wine industry creates a direct economic impact of more than $600 million annually on the Illinois economy.

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