Metropolitan Marketplace Adds Edible Dimension To a Growing Concern

On Saturday October 5, 2002 join Slow Food NYC and the Baum Forum to celebrate the season and products from 44 local and sustainable producers at the Metropolitan Marketplace. The Marketplace, one of the highlights of A Growing Concern Conference, is a walk-around tasting like no other giving guests the opportunity to try some of the best artisinal products from the Tri-State area and a chance to meet the producers from which they will learn about the health, environmental and economic benefits of buying locally.

The goal of the marketplace is to showcase and promote products to potential buyers such as consumers, chefs and food professionals in order to help these small businesses grow. The invited farmers, producers and vintners were chosen for the quality of their products, their sustainable practices and their potential for building and expanding their businesses within the NYC marketplace.

The sample size tastings at the Marketplace will consist of finished products and beverages such as cheeses, breads, chocolates and wines to prepared dishes that incorporate producers ingredients. The Marketplace chefs** have chosen to treat the products simply in order to highlight the true flavors of each product and help consumers understand how easy it is to cook locally and eat sustainably. For example, a variety of fingerling potatoes from the Catskill Family Farms Cooperative will be roasted and seasoned with just salt and pepper while Vermont Quality Meats quail will be grilled and sampled with Beths Farm Kitchen spicy chutney.

With 44 producers all in one space, the Marketplace will be an event not to be missed. Unlike most restaurant driven events, this tasting focuses on the products/ingredients and the people behind these products/ingredients. Most importantly, this event is dedicated to educating consumers about the issues of buying locally and acts as a reminder that sustainable food practices produce amazing products with superior taste while helping sustain small family farms and businesses.

For Press Passes visit www.baumforum.org and click on event registration to find information on how to apply for a pass or call Foodworld Media at 718-486-2684.


METROPOLITAN MARKETPLACE* FACT SHEET

DATE: Saturday, October 5, 2002

TIME: 2:00pm to 4:30pm

WHERE: Bridgewaters
11 Fulton Street, atop the Fulton Market Building at the South Street Seaport

DETAILS: Family farmers and artisanal producers gather to showcase the best of their seasonal products. The Marketplace, coordinated by Slow Food NYC, offers unlimited tastings of local wine, beer and cider, delectable dairy products from milk to cheese, late summer vegetables and fruits, fresh all-natural poultry, game, pork, lamb and beef, handmade breads, fine chocolates and specialty products. The offered tastings will be presented in either their raw form or will be cooked by four NYC Chefs** to highlight the products at their best.

TICKETS: $50 if purchased before September 27
$55 if purchased after that date
$150 for all-day Saturday Conference Pass (includes breakfast, seminars and workshops, early entry to Metropolitan Marketplace and an evening reception)

Tickets for the Marketplace include unlimited tastings and a directory including all participating farmer and producer information from farm location to retail outlets or ways to purchase.

REGISTRATION: Registration forms can be found Online  go to www.baumforum.org and click on registration and choose to register online, via fax or via mail.


* A GROWING CONCERN:

The Metropolitan Marketplace is part of a two-day educational and culinary conference on sustainable agriculture dedicated to raising awareness for critical food and farming issues. A Growing Concern is presented by the Baum Forum. For more information regarding the Baum Forum and A Growing Concern, visit www.baumforum.org.