Hudson Valley Bounty

  |  February 23, 2013
Hudson Valley Bounty

Where do you go to buy a fresh guinea fowl? What farms allow you to pick your own cherries? Which restaurants feature Sprout Creek Farm cheese? What farmer’s markets are in your area?

The answers to these any many other food related questions can be found at Hudson Valley Bounty, a non-profit organization sponsored by the Hudson Valley AgriBusiness Development Corporation whose main goal is to act as a clearinghouse of information, helping consumers purchase and use local and regional sustainable foods and products throughout the entire Hudson Valley. Originally begun in Columbia County, Hudson Valley Bounty’s database of information now includes over 229 farms, 251 restaurants, and 29 markets in Columbia, Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester counties, helping all of us to not only find the freshest sources for that Christmas goose we want to roast…but to locate what restaurants in our neighborhood features sustainable farm-to-table ingredients on their menu, when asparagus is in season, and where you can pick your own strawberries.

Kristen Roca with The Hudson Valley Bounty

Mark and I met Kristin Roca, of Hudson Valley Bounty, a sponsor of Hudson Valley Restaurant Week, at the Hudson Valley Restaurant Week kickoff event. Kristin explained that the website is designed to help you do either a general search of what you’re looking for, or a specific search to locate specific products sold at various restaurants, farmer’s markets and farms in eight counties of the Hudson Valley region.

While talking to her, I kept thinking (and saying) “What an awesome resource.” And it is! The service began in 2009 as a way to connect local restaurants and chefs to local farmers. It became so popular, that now the service is open to home chefs and professional chefs alike, as well as diners looking for a great meal made from local, fresh ingredients.

The information on the Hudson Valley Bounty is free. But consumers can become a member for $25 (individual) or $40 (family) wherein you’ll receive discounts and advanced notice on HVB events…not to mention you’ll be supporting a great cause.

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