Participate in a week-long celebration promoting connection, community, culture and cuisine in Central Florida. Grab your family, friends and neighbors and head to participating dining establishments during the week of November 11-18, 2011.
Check out the News page for updates as we plan this week! We’ll keep you posted as we add new restaurants, farmers, and special activities to the Eat Local Week schedule.
The Goals of Eat Local Week:
1. Emphasize that eating local in Central Florida is not only possible, it’s delicious –
The Eat Local Week definition of “local” is anything within 200 miles of Orlando’s city center. Featured farmers and artisans for Eat Local Week come from as far away as Clewiston.
2. Help local restaurants, farmers and artisans to develop lasting, mutually beneficial relationships –
Slow Food Orlando wants to see locally owned and operated farms and restaurants succeed. By facilitating relationship-building between Central Florida dining establishments, farmers, ranchers, and artisans we hope to help businesses grow and become more profitable.
3. Build consumer awareness of local food and farmers while promoting reconnection with family and friends around the dinner table –
Slow Food is all about taking the time to savor the food we eat and the people we share it with. When our food is produced in a sustainable, responsible and conscientious manner, it’s healthier for the environment and healthier for us.
4. Raise awareness about the importance of a local food economy and keeping money in our community –
Purchasing food direct from producers or dining out at restaurants that feature locally grown ingredients cuts out the middle man and puts your money directly in the pocket of the people who produce your food. When you, the consumer, spend your money with local businesses, those businesses reinvest your dollars in the community, thus contributing to a more sustainable future for Central Florida’s food system.
How to Participate
Participation is fun and easy! Just refer to our list of special events and participating restaurants to find activities you’d like to attend and bring your friends and families along! Keep track of your dining and event experiences on your Official Eat Local Week Scorecard and submit your card to enter a drawing to win free local food (more details on the “Scorecard” page). Reservations are available and highly recommended at most restaurants. We look forward to seeing you there!
