Pearl Farmers Market Hosts Third Annual Toyota Farm To Table Tour

Third Annual Toyota Farm to Table Tour Visits San Antonio’s
Pearl Farmers Market on Saturday, March 19
National tour pairs local chefs with local farmers to offer
complementary tastings at Farmers’ Markets
 
Seattle – March 2, 2010 – The Toyota Farm to Table Tour announced today that San Antonio was chosen to be a part of the 2011 national tour that celebrates local cuisine across the country. The Tour will visit Pearl Farmers Market on Saturday, March 19 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
 
Now in its third year, the Toyota Farm to Table tour brings together notable local chefs and farmers to showcase the connection between farmers, chefs, farmers’ markets and the communities they serve. Throughout the event, San Antonio’s top chefs will prepare thousands of complimentary bite-sized tastings that highlight fresh, local ingredients while providing guests a great opportunity to learn more about the market, the specialty farmers, the chefs, and ways to eat and shop locally.  In addition, market visitors will also have the opportunity to experience Toyota’s newest hybrid vehicles. 
 
“Supporting local agriculture and connecting consumers to their local food producers is at the core of the Pearl Farmers Market’s mission,” said Tatum Evans, Pearl Farmers Market Director.   “Toyota’s Farm to Table Tour is a perfect educational opportunity and fun community event.  Food is provided by the market’s farmers, ranchers, and producers, local chefs will be preparing the tastings, & market shoppers will be sampling it all.  Everyone will be able to taste the difference of using local ingredients in these freshly prepared samples.”
Some of San Antonio’s top chefs participating in this year’s event at Pearl Farmers Market include:
·         Johnny Hernandez- La Gloria Ice House
·         John Brand – Las Canarias
·         Melissa Guerra – Melissa Guerra Tienda de Cocina
·         Jason Dady – Bin 555
·         Steven McHugh – Luke San Antonio
·         Jeffrey Balfour – Citrus
·         Drew Morris – The Cove
·         Hinnerk von Bargen – The Culinary Institute of America, San Antonio
 
A complete list of participating chefs will be released closer to the event date at www.farmtotabletour.com.
“At Luke San Antonio, we strive to use locally grown and raised ingredients to create the freshest, best quality food, but also to support our local community and farmers,” said Chef Steven McHugh.”I grew up on a farm, so this is an especially important cause for me. Luke San Antonio is honored to be part of this event.”
First look at the newest addition to the Prius family – The Prius v
The Farm to Table Tour will also give market visitors a fresh look at Toyota’s extensive line of fuel-efficient, hybrid vehicles, including the newest addition to the Prius family —the Prius v— which will go on sale later this year. Attendees looking for a vehicle that complements their lifestyle will be able to preview the all-new Prius v as well as test drive the 2011 Prius, Camry Hybrid and Highlander Hybrid, which are currently on sale at dealerships.  Those who take part in a test drive will take home a signature John Boos cutting board as a memento of the experience. 
 
“For the third year in a row, the Toyota Farm to Table Tour is helping us connect with local communities while drawing attention to the importance of farmers’ markets and eating locally,” said Keith Dahl, Toyota National Manager of Engagement Marketing. “This tour lets us celebrate our customer’s passion for environmental stewardship and showcase our fuel-efficient, hybrid vehicles. Whether it’s young families looking to increase cargo space, or city drivers interested in the latest plug-in technology, there is a Prius for everyone and the Farm to Table Tour is giving farmers’ market shoppers the first chance to see our newest technology in action.”
 
In addition to the free tastings and test drives, visitors who participate in the day’s activities will also have the opportunity to select complimentary potted culinary herbs from the Toyota Mobile Garden.  A specialist will be on hand to individually pot the plants and answer general questions about gardening.  All herb plants are sourced from local vendors at the market. 
 
In support of all of the benefits that farmers’ markets offer their communities, the Toyota Farm to Table Tour will also make a financial donation to the each participating market.  In addition, throughout the tour, eco-friendly materials will be used and carbon credits through TerraPass will be purchased to offset the impact of the tour’s carbon footprint.
                                                                                
To learn more about the Tour, visit www.farmtotabletour.com.
 
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About Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., INC.
Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc. is the marketing, sales, distribution and customer service arm of Toyota, Lexus and Scion. Established in 1957, TMS markets products and services through a network of more than 1,400 Toyota, Lexus and Scion dealers. Toyota directly employs more than 34,000 people in the U.S. and sold more than 1.76 million vehicles in 2010. 
For more information about Toyota, visit www.toyota.com, www.lexus.com, www.scion.com or www.toyotanewsroom.com.
 
About the Pearl Farmers Market
Pearl Farmers Market is a culinary and cultural destination located along the banks of the San Antonio River.  Pearl Farmers Market is a year-round weekly farmers market where visitors can find everything from lush fruits and vegetables, artisan cheeses and whole-bean coffee to free-range eggs, and grass-fed bison, lamb and beef. All Pearl Farmers Market vendors are located within 150 mile radius of San Antonio, Texas, providing fresh, local, and seasonal products that they themselves planted, raised, and harvested.
For more information about Pearl Farmers Market visit http://pearlfarmersmarket.com/
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