This February, we send love and appreciation to Newport Restaurant Group, and their participating restaurants, for their ongoing support of ACT and our partner organizations combating food insecurity in our communities.
We picked NRG as our February Food Champion to recognize the leadership that they have demonstrated in the restaurant business community over many years, tithing a portion of their sales to support food system change, building a future in which no-one goes hungry, every family has a next meal, and food, for all children, is healthy and nutritious.
Newport Restaurant Group has supported our work right from our early days, before we became an organization formally in 2016, they understood what we were trying to do and gave us the boost needed to get started. Hosting our first Food Summit, back in 2014 at Castle Hill Inn, the stellar location and an excellent lunch brought together a broad group of food system and state-wide organization participants to jump start a planning level conversation about the need for food system change. The following year, another outstanding lunch, this time on location at Great Friends Meeting House, where a merry band of volunteers was building Newport's first community garden. Nothing like a good meal to make a volunteer feel appreciated!
Since then, Newport Restaurant Group has been a key partner in our annual fall Food Challenges, supporting ACT and many other organizations across our regional food system and beginning to close the loop between food producers, food consumers, and agencies that work to reduce food inequities.
Newport Restaurant Group, a 100% employee-owned company, has a long-standing commitment to sourcing ingredients locally, making a big difference to the survival of the fishing industry and small farms which do not enjoy the benefit of federal food subsidies. Check out the list of NRG's regional food sources.
So in honor of Valentine's Day weekend, we raise a glass and toast everyone at Newport Restaurant Group for walking their talk, and thank them for being a true partner. Cheers to all you NRG folks: big thanks for making a difference and helping us build a healthier food future for everyone!
PS A big thank you too to all of you who purchased Newport Restaurant Group gift cards recently to support both your neighborhood restaurants in this time of crisis, and tackle food insecurity in your community.
When you are trying to think of where to dine out next (safely!) or pick up takeout, consider choosing one of NRG's many locations in New England - check out the list of their dining options here.