PROVIDENCE - As part of a continued effort to support growth of the local food economy, Governor Gina Raimondo and First Gentleman Andy Moffit, along with state and food-industry leaders, will kick off Rhode Island's first Quahog "Restaurant" Week on Monday, March 21, 2016 during a special launch event.
WHERE: Save The Bay 100 Save The Bay Drive Providence, Rhode Island
WHEN: Monday, March 21, 2016 2:00 p.m.
Rhode Islanders take great pride in their fishing heritage and diverse food cultures. And quahogs, harvested year round from Narragansett Bay, have long been a local favorite: important to the state's history, culture, and economy. Quahog dishes, from stuffies to chowder, are popular fare during the summer season in Rhode Island, and quahogging is a well-loved local pastime; the goal of Quahog Week is to increase year-round use of this local fishery by highlighting creative, delicious quahog preparations and to feature the many restaurants, fishermen, and food-based businesses committed to growing Rhode Island's local food economy.
Increasingly, Rhode Island's local food sector is cited as an area of economic strength ripe for innovation; local seafood is poised to spur the next wave of food-based economic growth. Last year, nearly 100 million pounds of seafood arrived to a Rhode Island port - with an ex-vessel value over $75 million. And more than 27 million quahogs were harvested.
For more information about Quahog Week and for a list of participating restaurants and events, visit www.seafoodri.com or like the Quahog Week page on Facebook. Join the conversation in social media by tagging the Facebook page or @RhodeIslandDEM on Twitter; share recipes, quahogging stories, and/or favorite restaurants and quahog dishes.
Quahog Week partners include Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM), Discover Newport, Narragansett Bay Lobsters, Rhode Island Shellfishermen's Association, Edible Rhody, Save The Bay, Ocean State Oyster Festival, Rhode Island Sea Grant, University of Rhode Island Coastal Resource Center, University of Rhode Island Coastal Institute, Rhode Island Commerce Corporation, and the Narragansett Indian Tribe.
About RI Seafood
The RI Seafood brand, developed by DEM and the Rhode Island Seafood Marketing Collaborative, was created to uniquely identify Rhode Island seafood in the marketplace and support local fishermen and distributors in growing their businesses and participating in the state's growing food and tourism economy; Rhode Island's food system supports more than 60,000 jobs. There are more than 20 licensed RI Seafood dealers, and the brand has been featured as part of popular local events, including Newport Restaurant Week, the Ocean State Oyster Festival, and the Narragansett Calamari Cook-Off. RI Seafood guarantees your seafood was landed right here in the Ocean State; ask for it where you dine or shop! For more information, visit www.seafoodri.com.