AT THE TABLE FOR DINE OUT FOR FARMS WEEK

OCTOBER 13-16, 2010

During the week of October 10^th, Open Kitchen will join a select group of area restaurants, including Founding Farmers, Farmers and Fishers and Equinox in D.C. and Clyde's of Reston, VA to participate in American Farmland Trust's inaugural Dine Out for Farms™ to raise funds and awareness for American Farmland Trust's programs that support family-run and local farms. 

"As the dining public evolves, the demand for locally sourced farm-to-table foods will only increase and expand.  It is a very exciting time in America to be a chef/cook!  Our enthusiasm is recognized and embraced by all of our regular guests that we serve and care for." says our new Executive Chef Kenneth Hughes. 

Open Kitchen will donate a portion of sales during the event from our newly launched Fall menu that feature ingredients from farms that practice sustainable agriculture such as our Grilled Angus NY Strip from Creekstone Farms  and Crisp Roasted Half Smart Chicken®

"By participating in the October Dine Out for Farms event, restaurants and diners will help American Farmland Trust raise the visibility of a critical issue-that just as the chef depends on a variety of foods  to create their dishes, farmland is a necessary ingredient for our nations farmers" says Jane Kirchner, Senior Director of Marketing and Communications for AFT.  "Most of the small farms in this country are located around urban areas, and 86 percent of our country's fruits and vegetables are grown in urban fringe areas.  Those are the same farms that are most at risk from sprawling development and a host of other challenges."

American Farmland Trust is the leading conservation organization dedicated to saving America's farm and ranch land, promoting environmentally sound farming practices, and supporting a sustainable future for farms.  Since its founding in 1980 by a group of farmers and citizens concerned about the rapid loss of farmland to development, AFT has helped save millions of acres of farmland from development and led the way for adoption of conservation practices on millions more.

"At AFT, we're committed to keeping farms economically viable and using good practices in our land, and providing landowners with tools to keep their land in farming.  Dining out is among the many ways consumers can support a healthy future for agriculture and for their communities."

Says Chef Ken, "Slow food and love of the dining experience can only bring good for all!"

So, bring your family and friends and come on into Open Kitchen from Wednesday, October 13 to Saturday, October 16 for some REAL FOOD from REAL FARMERS in support of a sustainable future for America's farms.

More information on joining as a participating restaurant in Dine Out for Farms™, go to www.farmland.org/restaurant, or contact Gretchen Hoffman at 202-378-1251 or via email at ghoffman@farmland.org.