Third Annual Toyota Farm to Table Tour Kicks Off at Jacksonville’s Riverside Arts Market on Saturday, March 12

2 Mar

The Toyota Farm to Table Tour announced today that the first stop of the 2011 national tour will be at Jacksonville’s Riverside Arts Market on Saturday, March 12 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Now in its third year, the Toyota Farm to Table Tour brings together notable local chefs and farmers to showcase the connection between farmers, chefs, farmers’ markets and the communities they serve. Throughout the event, Jacksonville’s top chefs will prepare thousands of complimentary bite-sized tastings that highlight fresh, local ingredients while providing guests a great opportunity to learn more about the market, the specialty farmers, the chefs, and ways to eat and shop locally.  In addition, market visitors will also have the opportunity to experience Toyota’s newest hybrid vehicles.

The Riverside Arts Market is thrilled to be the kickoff site for the 2011 Toyota Farm to Table Tour,” said Riverside Arts Market Director Teri A. Coutu. “The Tour brings together many of the ingredients that RAM supports—a focus on locally grown produce, fine food, and community. This event is one of our main highlights of the year both for our market and our community.”

Some of Jacksonville’s top chefs participating in this year’s launch event at the Riverside Arts Market include:

A complete list of participating chefs will be released closer to the event date at www.farmtotabletour.com.

“The benefits of eating locally are incredibly far-reaching,” said Chef Brian Siebenschuh of Orsay. “A large percentage of money spent locally stays within the local economy. Obviously, it’s great to know where your food comes from and use fresh ingredients, but – beyond that – every dollar spent on local, responsibly produced food is a dollar that is not going to industrial food producers.”

First look at the newest addition to the Prius family – The Prius v

Farm to Table Tour will also give market visitors a fresh look at Toyota’s extensive line of fuel-efficient, hybrid vehicles, including the newest addition to the Prius family—the Prius v—which will go on sale later this year.

Attendees looking for a vehicle that complements their lifestyle will be able to preview the all-new Prius v as well as test drive the 2011 Prius, Camry Hybrid and Highlander Hybrid, which are currently on sale at dealerships.  Those who take part in a test drive will take home a signature John Boos cutting board as a memento of the experience.

“For the third year in a row, the Toyota Farm to Table Tour is helping us connect with local communities while drawing attention to the importance of farmers’ markets and eating locally,” said Keith Dahl, Toyota National Manager of Engagement Marketing. “This tour lets us celebrate our customer’s passion for environmental stewardship and showcase our fuel-efficient, hybrid vehicles. Whether it’s young families looking to increase cargo space, or city drivers interested in the latest plug-in technology, there is a Prius for everyone and the Farm to Table Tour is giving farmers’ market shoppers the first chance to see our newest technology in action.”

In addition to the free tastings and test drives, visitors who participate in the day’s activities will also have the opportunity to select complimentary potted culinary herbs from the Toyota Mobile Garden.  A specialist will be on hand to individually pot the plants and answer general questions about gardening.  All herb plants are sourced from local vendors at the market.

 

 

In support of all of the benefits that farmers’ markets offer their communities, the Toyota Farm to Table Tour will also make a financial donation to the each participating market.  In addition, throughout the tour, eco-friendly materials will be used and carbon credits through TerraPass will be purchased to offset the impact of the tour’s carbon footprint.

To learn more about the Tour, visit www.farmtotabletour.com.