Appalachian Regional Commission Launches "Bon Appétit Appalachia!," the Region’s Most Comprehensive Listing of Local Food Enterprises June 2016

Contact: Wendy Wasserman, Appalachian Regional Commission, wwasserman@arc.gov; 202.884.7771

MOORESVILLE, ALABAMA, June 9, 2016—Today, the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) released Bon Appétit Appalachia!, the largest searchable online map of local food businesses and entrepreneurs operating in Appalachia. Bon Appétit Appalachia! currently includes more than 830 local farms, restaurants, bakeries, breweries, wineries, and festivals operating in the 13 Appalachian states, and continues to expand.

The online Bon Appétit Appalachia! local-food map guide showcases more than 830 local farms, restaurants, bakeries, breweries, wineries, and festivals in the Appalachian Region. An abridged print version of the map is being published in regional Edible Communities magazines in and around the Region.

“Appalachia’s local food economy is growing as hundreds of local food entrepreneurs are hard at work,” said ARC Federal Co-Chair Earl F. Gohl. “The farmers, chefs, brewers, bakers, and other food entrepreneurs featured in Bon Appétit Appalachia! are a snapshot of what is happening in the Region. We hope consumers, travelers, researchers, and others will use Bon Appétit Appalachia! to taste, toast, and discover Appalachia’s entrepreneurial spirit.”

As part of Bon Appétit Appalachia!, ARC is also releasing an abridged printed map, which is available through state tourism agencies in the 13 Appalachian states. In addition, in partnership with Edible Communities, the map is being published in regional Edible Communities magazines in and around Appalachia. Edible Communities also produces a monthly podcast, “Backroad Journeys,” which profiles businesses on Bon Appétit Appalachia!.

Members of the ARC Tourism Advisory Council helped identify locations to be included in Bon Appétit Appalachia!. The website and printed map were designed by Destination by Design in Boone, North Carolina, which is launching a companion social media campaign using the hashtag #bonappalachia.

Bon Appétit Appalachia! was originally released in 2014 with 500 locations. Today’s version includes 72% more locations. ARC is continuing to expand Bon Appétit Appalachia!. Appalachian local food businesses that would like to participate in Bon Appétit Appalachia! are encouraged to email info@arc.gov.

Bon Appétit Appalachia! was formally released at a press event sponsored by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs at 1818 Farms in Mooresville, Alabama. 1818 Farms is one of the 70 Alabama food businesses listed on Bon Appétit Appalachia!.

Local food and entrepreneurship are priority investment areas in ARC’s 2016–2020 strategic plan. More information about ARC’s local food portfolio is at www.arc.gov/localfood.

About the Appalachian Regional Commission
The Appalachian Regional Commission (www.arc.gov) is an economic development agency of the federal government and 13 state governments focusing on 420 counties across the Appalachian Region. ARC’s mission is to innovate, partner, and invest to build community capacity and strengthen economic growth in Appalachia to help the Region achieve socioeconomic parity with the nation.