| NOVEMBER 10, 2009 -- As the holiday season unfolds, people of diverse cultures and faiths share a common focus on family, friends, and food. For those looking to celebrate with a closer connection to their community, the CT Department of Agriculture offers an assortment of guides to find CT Grown products that will help give a homegrown feel and flavor to that special meal or merrymaking.
"Locally produced foods and plants are a wonderful way to include our neighbors in the festivities," said F. Philip Prelli, CT Commissioner of Agriculture. "We have family farms of nearly every kind right here in our state, producing beautiful and delicious delicacies and decorations that will highlight any holiday table."
A local turkey, ham, or roast can be found through CT Grown Meat Producers, an online guide to over 75 producers of livestock including poultry, beef, pork, lamb, bison, goat, and more. Experience Connecticut Dairy Products can help locate milk, cream, eggnog, yogurt, specialty cheeses, ice cream, and butter. For the perfect sauce, pie, or tart, try the Apple Growers Brochure. CT Grown Honey Producers and Maple Sugarhouses will sweeten coffee, tea, glazes, sauces, side dishes, and desserts.
The general resources Farm Stands and Stores Throughout Connecticut and 2009-2010 Winter Farmers' Markets help find CT Grown fruits, vegetables, and many other products that are ideal on their own or combined into casseroles, medleys, breads, preserves, and puddings.
The Specialty Food Producers List offers a variety of high-quality, locally produced specialty items, including beverages, confections, dressings, condiments, appetizers, and snacks, while Vineyards and Wineries - "Your Guide to Connecticut Farm Wineries" can provide the perfect red, white, or rosé complement to any of the above.
Last but not least, the CT Garden and Landscape Trail brochure and Christmas Trees - listed by County guides are a terrific way to find CT Grown holiday plants and trees that will beautify and add natural fragrance to any celebration or venue, large or small.
To access all of these resources - as well as many more - go to the Department of Agriculture's website at www.ct.gov/doag or www.CTGrown.gov and click on "Publications" at the left of the page. |
