Local Farms Featured in South Jersey’s Restaurants

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• What: NJ Farm to Fork Week
• When: July 17-July 23
• Where: Restaurants across South New Jersey
• List of Participating Restaurants: www.sjhotchefs.com
• Reservations: www.opentable.com

 By Laura Robb

 There is no doubt that the economy has effected our local businesses. So many privately owned restaurants and bars have searched for new ways to reach the public and get them to patronize their establishment when they choose to go out.

A local program in New Jersey called SJ Hot Chefs, offer several special dining weeks throughout the year. This groups mission is to get the word out about Southern New Jersey’s  independently owned restaurants, and prove that you may not have to travel outside of your  own neighborhood or even cross the bridge to get a first class dining experience.

This upcoming week,  many South Jersey restaurants are participating in Farm to Fork Week, a week of specially designed menus featuring food and produce from our local farms. This week starting July 17, customers can choose to dine at one of the 33 participating restaurants at an incredible rate.

All of the restaurants are offering four course meals featuring our local meats/fish and produce at a fixed rate of 35 dollars. Several restaurants, such as the authentic Mexican restaurant, “La Esperanza,” are even offering their menu at only 25 dollars.

This week running until July 23, restaurant goers’ can experience a wonderful dinner featuring local produce at its seasons peak. New Jersey is famous for its tomatoes, peaches, strawberries and blueberries, so these items are featured on many of the restaurants menus.

Restaurants that may be pricey on an average day such as “The Chophouse” in Gibbsboro, are giving the public an opportunity to “dine on a dime,” giving us a chance to eat at a nice restaurant with freshly prepared foods, for the cost comparable to your local Applebees. 

New Jersey has way more to offer than all of those ‘Jersey shows, such as great dining and great local foods. For a small fee you too can enjoy a romantic evening, or a family fun night out without breaking the bank.