ReNewport

The NCCVB sales department, along with several of our hospitality industry partners, hosted a DESTINATION OVERVIEW; also know as the “familiarization tour”, of our beautiful city this past weekend.  This event is for meeting planners so that they can become more familiar with what Newport County has to offer and potentially bring their groups to Newport for meetings or events.  

We spend 2 ½ days together, non-stop, touring venues and hotels.  I was pleasantly surprised when we had one of  our  dinners at the Newport Marriott.  When we received the menu, I noticed that the chef had chosen locally grown  ingredients for our dinner. Ingredients were from Dame Farms and Heywood Farms in Johnson, RI; Jaswells Farm in Smithfield, RI; Five Star Farm in Portsmouth, RI; and fruits for desserts were from our own Sweetberry Farm right next door in Middletown, RI.  The fact that the ingredients are fresh and from Rhode Island really impressed me, and more importantly, our guests. The meeting planners were happy that they were not only now familiar with all of the venues and hotels that we have to offer but also the delicious local food. Not to mention that most conventional foods travel an average of 1,500 – 2,500 miles before ending up on your plate. Buying in your own backyard saves a lotta energy. A California tomato sold in DC has traveled about 2,800 miles - the truck transporting it produces more than 3,100 lbs of CO2 getting it there.

You can find restaurants that serve local produce in Rhode Island by visiting Farm Fresh Rhode Island’s website.

If your favorite restaurant isn't on the list - let them know next time you visit that you want to eat close to the source and that locally grown foods are better for you and the planet, and arguably taste better.