Ah, beautiful Southern California – known for its sunny weather, gorgeous beaches and plentiful harvest. The Art of Food & Wine has invited agriculture groups – from date and olive growers to lamb farmers – to join our celebration and showcase the best in locally grown meats and produce.
Appearing at this year's festival:
The California Date Administrative Committee
California Dates have been a longtime favorite holiday food enjoyed by many consumers. This delicious fruit has tremendous nutritional value and is a great addition for the everyday diet.
Dates are high in dietary fiber, carbohydrates, potassium, vitamins A1, B2, B3, B5 and contain more than 20 different amino acids. These acids help with the digestion and assimilation of carbohydrates, and they help control blood sugar levels and fatty acids content in the body. Selenium lowers the risk of cancer and heart diseases, plus helps to keep the immune system healthy.
A shaving of a California Date brings a landslide of flavor to cooking endeavors. Their sweet caramel-like flavor invites tantalizing culinary creativity. Dates have a heavy profile and delightful taste and can be used in salads, dressings, sauces, salsas, gravies, toppings, syrups and hundreds of other ways.
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The California Sheep Commission
California lamb, with its delicate flavor and succulent texture, is a versatile meat to cook with, both in terms of the number of cuts available and its affinity to a wide range of flavors. Its wonderfully mild flavor is enhanced by a myriad of herbs, spices and marinades, making it a perfect fit for today's trend toward more flavorful and healthful dishes.
Lamb contains essential nutrients, like protein, zinc and iron. One three-ounce serving of cooked lean lamb provides 48 percent of the protein, 37 percent of the Vitamin B12, 27 percent of the niacin, 30 percent of the zinc and 10 percent of the iron most people need in a day.
The California Sheep Commission began its existence in April of 1999 following an overwhelming approval from the sheep producers of the state. The founding legislation allows the commission to use producer dollars to promote sheep and sheep products, to conduct education and research that would benefit sheep producers, and to provide funding to aid in the protection of livestock.
