SacFoodies

Hey there, Fall Foodies!

It’s that time of year again – the days have turned colder, shorter, and pumpkin spicier.

As the crisp autumn air ushers in the glorious start to sweater season, it also finds us haunting the aisles of our local Raley’s (full disclosure: Raley’s is a client of ours) as we prep for the upcoming holidays. While we’re there, feverishly redesigning classic dishes to fit the dietary needs of our second cousins and thrice-removed aunts, we noticed something that we all can be thankful for this holiday season: Raley’s 33^rd Annual Food For Families Holiday Drive.

Running from November 1^st through December 31^st, Raley’s hopes to raise 4.2 million meals to help support local food banks throughout Northern California and Nevada. Through their network of 12 county-level food bank partners, this campaign will benefit over 1.4 million food insecure people within the Raley’s footprint.

The huge scope of this giving campaign isn’t the only part that’s impressive: since Raley’s covers all administrative costs for the non-profit, 100% of proceeds go directly to food bank partners and those in need. Plus, all donations stay local to aid the communities in which they were made. Whether you’re at Raley’s staking claim on the perfect turkey or gathering ingredients for Grandma’s famous stuffing, every dollar you donate at check-out helps nourish your neighbors in need.

What an easy, affordable way to share the holiday love this season, Foodies.

To find out more, visit https://www.raleys.com/news/raleys-launches-33rd-annual-food-for-families-holiday-drive/, or donate online: http://www.foodforfamilies.org/donate/.

Sacramento Hotels Farm-to-Fork Showcase: Challenge of the Chefs
October 30, 2019 (Wednesday)
5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. |Kimpton Sawyer Hotel

The 4th annual Sacramento Hotels Farm-to-Fork Showcase: Challenge of the Chefs is set for October 30, 2019, at the Kimpton Sawyer Hotel—as part of Sacramento Hotel Association’s ongoing community service activities.

For 2019, the Farm-to-Fork Showcase will benefit Soil Born Farms, a non-profit 501(c)(3)organization. Soil Born Farms is about growing food, mentoring youth and future farmers, teaching people how to cook and garden, creating urban farms and preserving wild spaces, developing partnerships and improving access to fresh produce throughout our community, and at the core, it is about making a difference. It means transforming a shared vision of healthy food for all into a local reality.

The Sacramento Hotels Farm-to-Fork Showcase: Challenge of the Chefs is sponsored by the Sacramento Hotel Association (SHA).The event will feature:

• Festive Farm-to-Fork food stations from local hotels/restaurants
• Friendly competition among the hotel executive chefs—three different awards
• Craft beer tastings from local brewers
• Wine tastings from area vintners
• Silent auction of gift baskets and prize packages
• Musical entertainment

The Sacramento Hotel Association’s Sacramento Hotels Farm-to-Fork Showcase: Challenge of the Chefs open to the public. Advance tickets are $45 per person plus service fee; tickets are $55 per person at the door. You can pre-purchase your tickets at www.ChallengeoftheChefs.com

The FH Sacramento team was recognized for work on behalf of two clients – the California Prune Board and Albertsons Companies – at the Public Relations Society of America California Capital Chapter Annual Influence Awards, held in Sacramento on October 17^th.  The Awards included:

• An Influence Award for the California Prunes Re-Branding Campaign, a multi-year process of re-branding the commodity that had been marketed as “dried plums” for the past 15 years.  After deciding to “re-embrace its prune legacy,” the board enlisted FH to manage target audience research, concept development, brand identity and logo design, and tagline and message development. FH was also tasked with launching the new brand to the industry, trade and consumer media, influencers and partner agencies, as well as developing a full suite of creative materials under the new brand for ongoing use by the California Prune Board, the industry and their partners around the globe.

• An Influence Award for the California Prunes Experience at the Culinary Institute of America, which took bloggers and journalists hailing from the United States, Canada and Italy from the pantry to the prune orchard to learn all about California Prunes and ignite interest, visibility and conversation about the classic pantry staple. Along the way, participants engaged with California Prune growers, chefs, and a nutrition expert on the heritage, versatility, and nutritional benefits of California Prunes.

• A Merit Award for Albertsons Companies, Open Nature® Special Event, which brought food influencers from across the country together in Berkeley, Calif., to help Albertsons relaunch its Open Nature® private label brand by bringing core brand attributes to life via an interactive experience with nature as the backdrop.

By Georgia Fox

Hi there Foodies,

We’re back with an exciting new taste test video! 

We were lucky enough to try a variety of oils and vinegars, courtesy of our friends at il Fustino Oils & Vinegars. We were blown away by the complex flavors and amazing pairings that we got to try, and we cannot wait to hear your thoughts!

Foodies, we were shook to our very cores by how delicious these all are, and we don’t want you to miss a single tasty note about these products. Read on for a breakdown of our favorite California-grown and produced oils & vinegars in order of appearance:

Arbequina Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Tasting notes: Fresh green apples, green tea, and a peppery finish. Add this to a fresh green salad or your next pesto sauce for a well-balanced flavor you know and love.

25 Star Aged Balsamic

Tasting notes: Heaven-sent. This rich, sweet, thick Balsamic pairs with salads, meats, vegetables, you name it, it’s amazing.

Lemon Olive Oil

Tasting notes: All the flavor of a freshly-squeezed lemon with mild olive flavor. This citrusy oil can add zesty excitement to any salad or dessert.

Jalapeño Olive Oil

Tasting notes: This hot – but not too hot – oil mixes the heat of a crushed jalapeño with the milder notes of California Mission olives. Add this to your corn bread recipe or mac n cheese for the extra kick your dish was missing.

Garlic Olive Oil

Tasting notes: Fresh, light, and full of garlic! This Italy-in-a-bottle olive oil will pair perfectly with any pasta dish or salad dressing.

Pomegranate Vinegar

Tasting notes: Sweet, tangy, and antioxidant rich. Use it as a glaze for a fish or chicken dish for an exciting pop of flavor.

Mimosa Vinegar

Tasting notes: Sparkling, bright, and fruity. With all the sparkling taste of champagne, this Mimosa Blood Orange Vinegar will lighten up any recipe.

The results are in: we can’t get enough of il Fustino Oils & Vinegars!

Want to try it for yourself? Visit their website, spend the day in their tasting rooms if you’re passing through Santa Barbara, or ship it off internationally!

Thanks again to il Fustino for providing us with these tasty products, and Foodies, let us know what we should try next!

Big news – Sacramento’s first ever wine week is kicking off on August 7th! River City Wine Week will celebrate all things Sacramento wine with events, seminars, dinner and other fun activities across the region. 

“What a wonderful opportunity to highlight wine with the bounty we have in Sacramento! For us, It’s a time to highlight our relationships with winemakers and distributors, and have fun with exciting wine flights and dinner and cheese pairings! We especially look forward to collaborating with a nonprofit, possibly Front Street Animal Shelter for an extra special event,” commented Sara Arbabian, proprietor of The Rind and La Crosta.

“As wine buyers, we taste hundreds of wines every month to bring guests the best quality, best value and most interesting stories.  We love an event focused around wine and food, where we can highlight and share some of our favorite finds in unique and creative ways,” states John Marco, owner of the downtown wine bar, Whired.

Kicking off the festivities, on August 7^th, will be the Pop & Pour Wine Tasting at the Clara Auditorium in Midtown Sacramento. This event will serve as a benefit for WellSpace Health, a system of community health centers that provide primary care, dental health, and behavorial health services in Sacramento, Placer and Amador Counties.  In addition, WellSpace Health also operates the region’s suicide prevention and crisis lines.

Pop & Pour is a walk-around tasting event that will feature over 35 wineries and give attendees an opportunity to sample a diverse selection of wines from boutique wineries like foothill newcomer, Casino Mine Ranch, and established and highly-regarded old vine Zinfandel producer, Gamba Vineyards & Winery. 

River City Wine Week is co-founded by Rachael Levine and Carrie Boyle, both with over 20 years of professional wine experience in the Sacramento area. The multi-day event raises awareness for Sacramento’s unique position in the heart of America’s wine country.  Residents and visitors to the Capital City have unparalleled access to the wineries of Amador County, El Dorado County, Placer County, Napa County, Sonoma County, Lodi, Calaveras County, Sacramento County, Yolo County, and the Northern Sierra.  There are more than 1,000 wineries located within a two-hour drive. 

“Sacramento knows and loves food and wine. River City Wine Week is a chance to celebrate this love affair and share that passion with the community,” said Levine.

“Sacramento is ground zero, geographically, for wine tourism in Northern California,” added Boyle. “In the age of craft beer and cocktails, we think it’s time to bring wine back into the conversation.”

Visit River City Wine Week to buy tickets for Pop & Pour and check out the full calendar of events – P.S. use offer code EARLYRCWW for $10 off your ticket price, valid until July 22nd. 

Cheers, foodies! 

As a proud European, it’s in my blood to be a fútbol (soccer, to all you Americans) fan. That said, I am embarrassed to say that I’ve lived in Sacramento for two years and I’ve never been to a Sac Republic game! That all changed a few weeks ago when this SacFoodie was invited to a VIP experience for Republic FC vs Reno 1868.

The VIP section is right behind the south goal and offers a mix of high-top table seating and up close and personal bar seating. We chose to sit literally as close as possible to the action, because, you know, first game ever! Once we found our seats, we headed to the buffet (one on each side of the seating area) to chow down on some delicious Mayahuel dishes!

*Side note* You know how sometimes large catered events only give you lukewarm pasta and a slim slice of overdone tri tip? Well, the folks at Sac Republic have made an effort to change that by bringing in amazing local restaurants to cater their home games! Throughout the season they’ve invited Mayahuel, Tank House, Selland’s, Chando’s, Paesanos and Culinerdy to cater, and wow does it pay off!

For dinner we had fantastic Pork Mole, Mushrooms in a Pistachio Sauce, Chicken Enchiladas and of course, flour tortillas and rice and beans. I was so impressed that they had a vegan option to be inclusive for all diets. In addition to the food (with a view) we enjoyed a pregame watermelon margarita that was the perfect amount of sweet and tart. Then during the game, we took advantage of the full bar with our two free drink coupons! So, if all of this has sold you on the VIP experience, visit SRFC VIP Tickets to purchase VIP packages for any upcoming home game, going through October 12th, or contact Chris Nasser at 916-307-6103 to purchase group tickets. Also – keep your eyes peeled on our Instagram for a special giveaway coming soon!

Most of all, I learned I love some Food and Sacramento Republic Fútbol. So, who wants to go to a game??

Organic hard kombucha brand, Flying Embers, announces their commitment to support fire safety programs and First Responders during Wildfire Awareness Week, taking place from May 6th through 12th, 2019.

Flying Embers was founded in Ojai, California in 2016, by Bill Moses, Co-Founder of KeVita Probiotic Drinks. Accompanied by a team of passionate entrepreneurs, Flying Embers set out on a mission to create innovative botanical brews that boast practical benefits.

In 2017, the massive Thomas wildfire threatened to destroy Ojai, Ventura, and the surrounding areas, as well as the home brewery of Flying Embers. For three days and nights the Ojai community banded together with the brave firefighters to fight the wildfires and thanks to their efforts, we were kept safe. During the course of the ordeal we witnessed first-hand the courage of the firefighters and were inspired to pledge 1% of their revenues to regional fire safety programs and First Responders.

“Experiencing the Thomas Fire in 2017 firsthand, has not only brought us a special appreciation for life,” says Bill Moses, “but it has also taught us the importance of teaming with our community. This experience has defined our brand and mission to support fire education and prevention organizations and those First Responders who risk their lives for their communities.”

Flying Embers has initiated this pledge with the Ojai Valley Fire Safe Council. WIlliam Castagna, their Board President, acknowledges, “The generous financial support we received from Flying Embers could not have come at a better time. With the Thomas Fire’s devastating effects still fresh on our minds, the Ojai Valley Fire Safe Council is being called to action by our community more than ever. These funds have provided a crucial boost to our capacity-building and community service efforts.”

Flying Embers Hard Kombucha uses the ancient alchemy of fermentation to create a better-for-you alcohol sparkling tea made with an adaptogen root blend. It is organic, gluten-free and zero sugar. Flying Embers’ current line of three flavors includes Ancient Berry (with elderberry, goji, and raspberry), Ginger & Oak, and Lemon Orchard (with lavender, mint, and ginger).

For more information on Flying Embers and locations where the Organic Hard Kombucha is sold please visit FlyingEmbers.com, follow @FlyingEmbersBrew on Instagram, or find them on Facebook.

by Laurel Harrison

Last month, Sacramento State’s ASI (Associated Students, Inc.) officially opened its expanded Food Pantry, taking the next step to serve students faced with food insecurity. The newly-expanded pantry is three times larger than the original facility, has twice the number of shelving units, and has a commercial-size refrigerator for storing produce and perishable items. 

“We are seeing an 80 percent increase in users this year over last year, and we’re feeding more than 10,000 people, which includes family members that students share their food with,” said Reuben Greenwald, ASI’s director of Student Engagement & Outreach. “With our new Food Pantry, we will be able to serve more students and add refrigerated items and fresh produce to our list of offerings.”  

Sacramento State students can use their school ID to visit the pantry weekly and spend points on food and toiletries. In addition to the Food Pantry, ASI will operate an outdoor Pop-Up Pantry several times a month to give students access to fresh produce. 

College students across the U.S. face food insecurity, and it makes us proud to see the Sac State community rising up to combat the issue. Thank you to the Sac State ASI and director Reuben Greenwald for leading the charge and making a difference for students facing food insecurity in our community! 

To learn more about the expanded ASI Food Pantry, or to sign up as a volunteer, visit the Food Pantry website here. 

by Laurel Harrison 

For the second year in a row, Sol Blume is coming to Sacramento! If you didn’t make it to Coachella (slowly raises hand), here’s your chance to get your fill of music, art, tasty food, and ~chill vibes~. 

Sol Blume is happening this Saturday, April 27, in Cesar Chavez Plaza, with doors opening at 11:00am. Artists include Miguel, Masego (our personal favorite), Tierra Whack (fresh off a set at Coachella), Queen Naija, Jessie Reyez, Tobi Lou and Snoh Aalegra, among others. Full set list available here.

Some of our absolute favorite food trucks will be serving up their specialties throughout the fest, and we can’t wait to visit Nash & Proper for a spicy fried chicken sandwich (medium spice – trust us), and Hefty Gyros for falafel. If you’re looking for something vegan or plant-forward, Bambi Vegan Tacos has your back. Other options? Wandering Boba, CA Street Tacos, Ma Sarap, India Jones, and Yolanda’s Tamales will all be there, so come hungry! 

Keep an eye out for your IG influencer-worthy photo op at the multiple art installations throughout Sol Blume. These include a flower wall, the Sol Child flower mascot, live mural painting, All Good Apparel‘s national park-themed pallet lounge, and Hella Good Company‘s living-room inspired installation. 

To buy your tickets or find more information on schedules, event rules and attendance details, visit the official Sol Blume website here. 

We hope to see you there! Stop by and say hi if you see us! 

by Laurel Harrison

If you haven’t tried out the recently-opened Mas Taco Bar on R Street, they have a new offering that should pique your interest (and satisfy any late-night cravings)! As of this week, Mas Taco Bar is serving $2 dollar tacos and $5 margaritas from 9pm to close on Friday and Saturday nights.

We’ve tried Mas Taco Bar before and always enjoyed the inventive taco options and refreshing drinks, but this late-night taco/marg situation has definitely raised the bar! Whether you like to get adventurous with the Banh Mi Shrimp taco or keep it classic with a Pork al Pastor, there’s something for every palate on the menu.

Our favorites right now (ask us again in a week) are the Korean Fried Chicken taco and the Jalapeño Cilantro margarita. That said, we’re planning on working our way through this menu as the evenings get warmer and the days get longer – late-night tacos are a must-have in our 2019 summer schedule!

For more information and for the full Mas Taco Bar menu, visit their website here.