Click here for details about workshops.

BG Board President Julie Michaels writes:   In his provocative front-page article Sunday (7.17.11), Berkshire Eagle reporter Ned Oliver asked a variety of people what they meant by “locally grown.” To Sheffield farmer Ted Dobson, it’s food grown within 50 miles of his farm. To the owners of the Berkshire Food Coop in Great Barrington, local is food that is grown within 100 miles of their store.

In an editorial on Wednesday, the Eagle decided to lay down its own definition of local, even as it chastised Berkshire Grown — an organization that has faithfully promoted the Berkshire region’s food and farmers for the past dozen years — for not supplying a rigid definition of its own.

Here is how the Berkshire Eagle defines local: ” ‘locally grown’ should be reserved for farm-fresh products grown in this county and the adjacent New York Route 22 corridor just across the state line running parallel to Berkshire CountyŠ.”

Bad luck to Mighty Food Farm, a Berkshire Grown member raising organic vegetables in Pownal, Vt. According to the Eagle, their tomatoes would not qualify as locally grown, even when purchased by a resident of Williamstown, just 10 miles away.

Ditto the yogurt produced by Side Hill Farm, another Berkshire Grown member in Ashfield, halfway between Dalton and Northampton.

We could supply numerous other examples of the false exclusivity such artificial boundaries impose. In fact, using the Eagle’s definition of

“locally grown,” a good percentage of the farms that sell their produce at the Great Barrington Farmers Market would be deemed ineligible for recognition.

We at Berkshire Grown believe that drawing artificial lines in the sand is petty stuff. Rather, our policy is to let each farm identify its location, as they do at the Great Barrington Farmers Market, and let buyers decide whether the produce meets their own definition of local. (This is the true sin of the Otis Poultry Farm; they are misleading their shoppers; in fact, lying to them about where their eggs are produced. We condemn this practice wholeheartedly.)

What most disturbs us about the Eagle’s editorial is that it misses the larger picture. We at Berkshire Grown are concerned about preserving the regional food shed for our community’s security and health.

The culprit is not a small farmer, 10 miles over the Berkshire County line; rather, it is corporate industrial agriculture that destroys the land with its pesticides, limits crop diversity, and undercuts small farmers by selling food at a discount. We want to see hundreds of farms blossom across the region, on this side of the Berkshire County line and on the other. Why?

Because the more farms we have in our region — be it in the Berkshires, in the Pioneer Valley, in Vermont, or even upstate New York — the more healthy food we’ll have to feed our children. Our community will be that much safer should our food supply be targeted by America’s enemies, and our landscape will remain open and rural — beautiful enough to draw the many visitors who come to the Berkshires every year, many of whom shop in our farmers markets.

Berkshire Grown’s mission is to “increase public awareness of eating locally and healthily through education and outreach; by encouraging supportive agricultural programs and public policies; by establishing local food and farm networks; and by promoting the growing and marketing of locally grown food.”

If the Berkshire Eagle truly cares about this mission, they might think about joining Berkshire Grown (community membership: $40) rather than attacking our organization on its editorial page.

Julie Michaels is President of the Board of Berkshire Grown.

NOFA SUMMER CONFERENCE 2011

August 12 -14

Amherst, MA

Workshops, speakers, dances, learn how to grow organic food!

More information here

“At Mighty Food Farm in Pownal, VT, family dogs run freely and playfully around the farmhands, who are laughing and joking as they load produce into a truck. Lisa MacDougall has been the head of Mighty Food Farm for five years and, since the beginning, has sustained a certified organic environment. When questioned if it is difficult to keep her produce, which ranges from “artichokes to zucchini”, completely organic, she quickly and adamantly replies…“ Read more

CALL TO CONFIRM hours and that there are still strawberries:

The Berry Patch: Stephentown, NY (518)733-1234: Open  9am-3pm Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays

Ioka Valley Farm: Open Sat & Sun 9am – 3pm, Mon – Fri 9am – 12:30pm, Tue & Thurs afternoons 4 – 5:30pm. 413-738-5915

LakeView Orchard: Opens July 1^st at 9:00 a.m. PYO tart cherries and summer raspberries coming soon! 413-448-6009

Noble’s Tweenbrook Farm: open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. every day, weather dependent. 413-442-3722

Thompson-Finch Farm: open every day from 8-5, rain or shine, thru about the 4th of July 518-329-7578

High Falls Garden in Philmont, NY – a farm dedicated to growing and teaching about medicinal plants — annual Field Day  is this Sunday, June 19th from noon to 5pm, with native medicinal and ornamental Chinese medicinal plants for sale.
Call or email for more information: 518-672-7365
hfg (at) capital (dot)net

You are invited to Hancock Shaker Village for a very special meal this Thursday June 16, 2011 to celebrate the beauty and bounty of the Shaker gardens and to raise funds to support their farm-to-table educational programs. Farming was at the heart of the Shaker community at Hancock.   Join chefs from:

• Mezze Restaurant Group
• Mission Bar and Tapas
• The Red Lion Inn
• Route 7 Grill
• Savory Harvest Catering

as they prepare a meal inspired by the Shaker cuisine and featuring locally-sourced ingredients.  Enjoy your meal on historic Shaker grounds, steps away from the famous Round Stone Barn.

The gardens and barn will be open at 6:00 pm for informal tours and exploration followed by the meal at 7:00.

 

Tickets are $90 for HSV members and our CSA members, $100 for not-yet members. For $1,000 you can reserve a table for your group of 8 that will include a special gift. Tickets are also available by calling 413-443-0188 x203. Click here for more info.

Berkshire Grown restaurants offer a three course prix fixe dinner menu OR lunch special featuring locally grown or produced foods for the crazy price of $25.11 a meal (+ tax and tip).  This promotion is offered exclusively to Berkshire Grown members at the following restaurants, please call ahead for details — restaurants may not be open throughout the week and may only be open for lunch and may be serving something local (but that you don’t eat):

North & Central County: Baba Louie’s (Pittsfield) • Café Reva • Firefly • Gramercy Bistro • La Terrazza at Gateways Inn •Mezze Bistro +Bar • Mission Bar + Tapas • The Williams Inn • Wheatleigh

South County: Allium Restaurant + Bar • Baba Louie’s (Gt. Barrington) • Castle Street Café • Chez Nous • John Andrews: A Farmhouse Restaurant • Route 7 Grill • Stagecoach Tavern • Swiss Hutte • The Old Inn on the Green • The Red Lion Inn

 

Menu for The Red Lion Inn

Butter Poached Farm Girl Farm Baby Radishes

Smoked McEnroe Organics Tomato Sauce

***

Grilled Lila’s Mountain Lamb Patty

Ted’s Arugula, Zehr Farm Mushrooms & Rawson Brook Chevre

Lemon & EVOO

***

Farm Girl Farm Rhubarb Crisp

High Lawn Farm Cream & Ronnybrook Vanilla Ice Cream

$25.11   Per Person   Excluding tax & gratuity

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

La Terrazza Restaurant At the Gateways Inn

$25.11 Per Person*

STARTERS

Pasta & Fagioli or Chilled Strawberry Soup

Or

Panzanella Salad

Toasted Bread, Tomatoes, Red Onions, Spinach,Basil & Balsamic Vinaigrette,

Or

Mixed Mesclun Salad with Chevre

Lemon Vinaigrette

ENTREES

House Made Spinach & Ricotta Ravioli

With Marinara Sauce

Or

House Made Farfalle

With Peas & Prosciutto,in a Light Cream Sauce

Or

Roasted Organic Chicken Breast

Creamy Polenta, Sautéed Spinach & Chicken Jus

Or

Grilled Salmon Fillet

Roasted Potatoes, Sautéed Mustard Greens & Lemon Sauce

DESSERT

Strawberry Shortcake

Or

Vanilla Crème Brullee

Or

Profiterole with Maple Ice Cream & Caramel Sauce

Coffee & Tea

*Plus Tax & Gratuity, With Berkshire Grown Membership *  

We are pleased to have a successful collaboration with the following dedicated Farmers & Producers, Berkshire Grown Members: C.H. Baldwin& Sons, Berkshire Mountain Bakery, The Berry Patch, Equinox Farm, Taft Farms, High Lawn Dairy, Rawson Brook Farm,  Rock Ridge Farm, Deer Run Maple Sugar House. We thank you, our customers, for your patronage & hope that you will find opportunities to support our fellow Member Farmers & Producers.

La Terrazza Restaurant at the Gateways Inn

51 Walker Street- Lenox, MA 01240

413-637-2532www.gatewaysinn.com

*******************************************************************

CASTLE STREET CAFE

2011 Berkshire Grown Restaurant Week

June 5-9

$25.10 Berkshire Grown Members

Barrington Brewery German Alt 5 (Pint)

Ginger Martini: Berkshire Mt Distillers Iced Glen Vodka & Canton Ginger Cognac, with Candied Ginger $9

Berkshire Mt Distillers Dark & StormyRagged Mt Rum & Ginger Beer

Greylock Classic: Berkshire Mt Distillers Greylock Gin, Dash of Vermouth, served straight up $9

*Zehr Family Farm Shiitake Mushrooms with Garlic & Thyme

*Equinox Farm Mesclun Salad, Balsamic Vinaigrette

*Equinox Farm Spinach Salad, Toasted Pine Nuts

 

* * * *

*Penne with Rawson Brook Farm Chevre Sauce, Toasted Walnuts

*Spinach, Goat Cheese & Shiitake Mushroom Souffle

(North Plain Farm Eggs, Equinox Spinach, Rawson Brook Chevre, Zehr Mushrooms

Fettuccini Bolognese  (Traditional Meat Sauce, Ioka Valley Farm Grass Fed Natural Beef)

Breast of Chicken Stuffed with Cricket Creek Farm “Maggie’s Round” Cheese &

Markristo Farm Spinach, Wrapped with Holiday Farm Organic Bacon

Cedar Planked Salmon, Turner Farms Maple Dijon Glaze

 

* * * *

 

Maple Walnut Tart, SoCo Vanilla Ice Cream, Turner Farms Maple Syrup

Glazed Pineapple with SoCo Pina Colada Sorbet

 

Coffee, Tea

*Vegetarian

Please show your Berkshire Grown Card to your server.

Berkshares not accepted for this special menu.  No substitutions

 

*******************************************************************

Route 7 Grill

 

Equinox Greens w/ Local Maple-Bacon Dressing

Local Hanger Steak w/ Local Oregano Chimichurri Sauce

Country Rhubarb Cake

 

*****************************************************************

Firefly Restaurant

Markristo Farms Mixed Greens, shallot vinaigrette

Choice of:

Pistachio Pesto Linguini, Overmeade Farm Asparagus and Roasted Hakurei Turnips

or

Skillet Roasted Atlantic Salmon Cakes, Chermoula Aioli, Simple Markristo Farms Arugula Salad

Warm Local Rhubarb Compote, over Vanilla Ice Cream

*****************************************************************************

Chez Nous

Three-Course Dinner, $25.11*

To Begin

“Cervelle de Canut,” House-made Fromage Blanc** with Herbs & Shallots, Homemade Country Bread & Salad**

-or-

Chilled Turnip & Radish Top** Soup with Asparagus**

 

Main Courses

“Hachis Parmentir” A French Shepherd’s Pie made with local, organic & grass-fed beef & pork** and a selection of spring vegetables**, topped with creamy Mashed Potatoes**

-or-

Gratin** of House-made Pasta with Braised Bok Choy**, Swiss Chard** & Baby Greens**

 

 

Desserts

Rhubarb**& Strawberry Shortcake with

Chantilly Cream**

-or-

Creamy Lemon-Lavender Posset**,

Almond-Raspberry Macaroon

 

*Excluding tax, beverages, & gratuity

**Many thanks to the following Berkshire Growers for supplying all of the ingredients for this menu:  High Lawn Farms, Woven Roots Farm, Equinox Farm, Rawson Brook Farm, Northeast Family Farms Meat Co-op

We appreciate your joining us for Restaurant Week & your support of Berkshire Grown.  We would like to thank all of the local farms and suppliers with whom we enjoy working throughout each seasonal menu, and our staff who does a tremendous job, year-round !

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

John Andrews: A Farmhouse Restaurant

 

Appetizers

Spinach Flan, Yogurt, Radishes, Mint

Equinox Farm, Berle Farm, Farm Girl Farm, Indian Line Farm

 

Or

 

Field Greens, Bacon, Chive Blossoms, Private Stock Cheese

Equinox Farm, Pigasso Farm, Indian Line Farm, Berle Farm

 

Entrees

 

Day Boat Flounder, Bok Choy, Shiitake & Oyster Mushrooms, Pea Shoots

Farm Girl Farm, Zehr & Sons Mushrooms, Equinox Farm

 

Or

 

Chicken Fricassée, Swiss Chard, Hakurei Turnips

Pigasso Farm, Markristo Farm, Indian Line Farm

 

Dessert

 

Chevre Panna Cotta, Rhubarb Compote, Mixed Berry Preserves

Rawson Brook Farm, Taft Farm, Berkshire Preserves

 

$25.11 Prix Fixe – Berkshire Grown Members

To join Berkshire Grown please ask your server for a membership form

No Substitutions

 

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Mezze Bistro + Bar

 

Mighty Food Farm 60-minute Egg served with Mighty Food Farm Heirloom Beans + Braised Greens, East Mountain Farm House-cured Bacon, Vinegar + Chili

 

Josh Miller’s Mutton Kielbasa, Mighty Food Farm Creamed Hakurei Turnips, Green Garlic Jus

Lemon Semifreddo, Mighty Food Farm Strawberries + Fresh Mint

 

******************************

 

Allium

 

The Berry Patch Leaf Lettuce Salad with Spring Vegetables + Balsamic Vinaigrette

 

Braised Wanabea Farm Rabbit with Housemade Pasta in a White Wine Cream Sauce

 

Housemade Berry Patch Strawberry Shortcake

 

_{+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++}

 

The Williams Inn

 

1st Course: Peace Valley Farm Field Green Salad Craisins, Dried Pineapple & East Mt Farm Pork Cracklins, Cranberry Vinegrette

 

2nd Course: East Mt Farm Pork of the Day Prepared differently daily. Server will be describe what the dish will be and how its prepared

 

3rd Course: Yogurt Panna Cotta with a Peach & Local Rhubarb Compote

Made with Gammel Garden Skyr & Highlawn Farm Heavy Cream

 

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

 

 

WHEATLEIGH: Lunch

3 Course for $29 including Service Charge

 

Equinox Farm’s Mesclun Greens

Cricket Creek Tobasi, Tomato and Fennel

 

Rawson Brook Farm’s Chevre Flatbread

Artichokes, Ted’s Arugula and Radishes

 

Taft Farm’s Corn Chowder

Lobster and Herb Fritter

 

~~~

 

Cricket Creek Farm’s Omelet

Zehr and Sons Mushrooms and Ted’s Arugula

 

Yellowfin Tuna Nicoise

Ted’s Potatoes, Farm Girl’s Radishes and Haricot Vert

 

Beef Tenderloin

Zehr and Sons Mushrooms, Potato Puree and Asparagus

 

~~~

 

Warm Chocolate Cake

Ioka Valley Farm’s Strawberry Sorbet

 

High Lawn Farm’s Crème Brulee

Macerated Berries

 

Farm Girl Farm’s Rhubarb Crumble

Side Hill Yogurt Sorbet

*****************************************************************

The Old Inn On The Green

Spring Welcome Menu

Berkshire Grown Restaurant Week

Sunday, June 5, 2011

Served Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday Year Round

Roasted Beet Tarte Tatin

Rawson Brook Farm Herbed Chevre

~     ~     ~

Local Spring Radish Bisque

Crème Fraîche, Garden Chives, Parsley Oil

or

Equinox Farms Spinach Salad

Shaved Radishes, Mushrooms, Applewood Smoked Bacon, Croutons

Creamy Buttermilk and Berkshire Blue Cheese Dressing

~     ~     ~

Tempura of Maryland Soft Shell Crab

Soba Noodle Salad, Tempura of Local Shiitaki Mushrooms

Miso Vinaigrette

(Supplement  $15.00)

or

Butter Poached Lobster & Seared Maine Diver Scallop

Caramelized Fennel & Lobster Sauce

(Supplement  $15.00)

~     ~     ~

Braised Filet of Day-Boat Maine Halibut

Local Spring-Dug Parsnip Puree, Ted’s Wilted Arugula, Tiny Vegetables and Saffron Sauce

or

Roasted Hudson Valley Breast of Free-Range Chicken

Sweet Potato Puree, Spring Vegetables, Our Garden Thyme Jus

or

Braised Natural Veal Breast

Ted’s Braising Greens, Roasted Banana Fingerling Potatoes, Root Vegetables, Chive Blossom Gremolata, Natural Jus

~     ~     ~

Vanilla Bean Gelato

Made with High Lawn Farm Fresh Jersey Milk

Served with Whipped Cream, Fresh Blueberries and Blueberry Sauce

$35 ($25 for Berkshire Grown Members with Membership Card)

 

 

 

 

Menu Spotlight on Farmed + Foraged Sponsor The Red Lion Inn

The Red Lion Inn in Stockbridge will present a special Farmed + Foraged three-course dinner menu crafted from foraged items, local dairy, eggs, greens and locally sourced meats. Dinner will feature a first course of Smoked McEnroe Organic Tomato Soup with Bacon on the Side Bacon, Foraged Ramps and Equinox Farm Arugula or McEnroe Organic Asparagus with Sunny Side-Up Graceful Acre Bantam Egg and Shaved Berle Farm Bovinaburg. The second course will include Braised Bacon on the Side Pork and Ramp Ragu with Zehr Farm Mushrooms and Scape Sprouts or Lila’s Spicy Lamb Meatballs served with Minted Old Chatham Sheep’s Milk Yogurt and Spring Herbs. Dessert will feature Barrington Coffee Roasters Crème Brulee with Salted Caramel Biscotti and High Lawn Farm Cream or Ronnybrook Farm Vanilla Ice Cream and Ioka Valley Farm Maple Syrup Redux. The prix fixe meal is priced at $45 per person (not including tax or gratuity). Berkshire Grown will receive a contribution of $15 from each prix fixe dinner sold. In addition, several Farmed + Foraged items will be available a la carte. As has been the tradition for many years, The Red Lion Inn features sustainable dinner specials on Sundays and Mondays and a daily sustainable breakfast.

 

Thanks to Farmed + Foraged Sponsors:

In celebration of the season, Berkshire Grown will host Farmed + Foraged: A Weekend of Spring Flavors, a culinary celebration of farmed and foraged seasonal foods at area restaurants from Friday, May 20 through Sunday, May 22. Click on the Farmed +  Foraged page on this website here

Dates of participation, menu and a la carte offerings and pricing will vary at each location.

The event, now in its third year, will be further enhanced by expert-lead foraging walks in the Berkshires — Where the Wild Things Are — throughout the month of May. Visit the Wild Things website for dates and details.