Panini's goes local on May 23!

Yesterday I went to the monthly meeting of GreenDrinks, the group that meets and drinks and talks about sustainability issues. Panini's was our host and they served us some great local shrimp, both fried and boiled. Chef Paul Donella, a graduate of Johnson & Wales, announced that the restaurant will have a new menu starting Monday. They are getting certified for South Carolina Department of Agriculture's Fresh on the Menu program, which means that 25% of what they serve will be sourced locally. They are getting local seafood primarily from Sea Eagle and pork from Caw Caw Farms. Several attendees recommended they contact MiBek Farms for their fantastic pasture-raised beef. As for produce, Chef Paul lives out on St. Helena Island, so each morning he stops by Barefoot Farms to see what's available. He also buys from Dempseys and other local farms. Be sure to thank the new owner of Panini's, Paul Thompson, for making a commitment to the Fresh on the Menu program certification.