CONTACT: Katherine Mullen, Blue Sky Guide 651-698-5586; k.mullen@comcast.net

8/2/05
ST. PAUL, Minn.—Restaurants, farmers and diners in the Twin Cities area will have a chance to support local, sustainably-produced food during the second annual “Dine Fresh Dine Local” event on Tuesday, Oct. 11. This special one-day culinary event will take place at select restaurants across the metropolitan area.

During the inaugural Dine Fresh Dine Local event last fall, over 200 diners turned out to show their love of good food and their support for hardworking local farmers. Last year’s event involved 13 restaurants; this year more than 15 establishments will take part. Participating restaurants will be announced in coming weeks at www.dinefreshdinelocal.com.

During the Oct. 11 event, gift bags containing a 2006 Blue Sky Guide—the Coupon Book for Healthy Living, and a Minnesota Grown Directory, will be given to diners. In addition, memberships in Land Stewardship Project will be awarded during a special drawing. Restaurants will donate a portion of the day or evening’s proceeds to Food Alliance Midwest (http://www.foodalliance.org/midwest/index.html), Minnesota Grown (http://www.mda.state.mn.us/mngrown) and the Land Stewardship Project (http://www.landstewardshipproject.org) for their work in promoting sustainable farming and healthy local foods.

“Of course, conscientious eaters don’t have to wait until October to support local, sustainable food,” said Katherine Mullen, Director of the Blue Sky Guide. “They can dine fresh dine local any time by visiting restaurants that buy sustainably raised or organic products from local farmers.”

For a complete list of these restaurants, visit the Blue Sky Guide website www.findbluesky.com and click on “Blue Sky Guide Dining Guide.” For more details about Dine Fresh Dine Local, visit www.dinefreshdinelocal.com, or call 651-698-5586.

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