HANCEVILLE, ALA. – Wallace State Community College’s Culinary Arts Department will welcome Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture Rick Pate and representatives from the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) to campus next week, promoting the Alabama Specialty Crop Cooking Demonstration grant recently awarded to Wallace State.
The Alabama Specialty Crop Cooking Demonstration grant helps promote the preparation and usage of specialty crops in restaurants and home kitchens through demonstrations. The funds are part of the USDA AMS Specialty Crop Block Grant administered by ADAI.
“It’s a big deal for our program to have Commissioner Pate and ADAI on campus. They are among our biggest supporters as we work to promote locally grown products. Dining at restaurants that are purchasing from local sources and shopping at our respective farmers markets are better options for our economy, health and environment. It’s important to support our farmers, both locally and statewide. This grant helps secure those local footprints in our economy,” said Wallace State Chef Aaron Nichols.
Wallace State also offers Agricultural Production/Horticulture, and Small Farmer Training Programs as well as a 2+2 program in Poultry Science with Auburn University.
Nichols and his Culinary Arts team will serve lunch to Pate and the ADAI team, featuring dishes with locally grown food. A Culinary Arts advisory board meeting follows the grant recognition.
The Wallace State Culinary Arts Program’s Food Truck will be used to promote the initiative at events across Alabama.
Wallace State’s Culinary Arts program is accredited by the American Culinary Federation Education Foundation.
For more information about Wallace State, visit www.wallacestate.edu
Event Details:
WHAT: Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture Rick Pate and Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries Campus visit for Specialty Crop Block Grant Program
WHEN: Thursday, July 14, at 10:45 a.m. (Signing takes place at 11 a.m.)
WHERE: Peinhardt Conference Center at Wallace State’s School of Nursing and Center for Science, 801 Main Street NW, Hanceville, AL 35077
