Boca makes enhancements to its farm-to-table operation

Restaurant adds farm coordinator and introduces “Local Dirt” inserts for menus
(PR NewsChannel) / April 14, 2016 / TAMPA, Fla. 

Boca PictureIn an effort to provide transparency to our guests, Boca Kitchen Bar & Market has implemented several key operational enhancements, including the hiring of a farm coordinator and the introduction of “Local Dirt,” an ongoing “farm update” informational insert for its menu.

“Over a month ago, I spoke with Tampa Bay Times food critic Laura Reiley regarding questions about the sourcing of products in our restaurants,” said Kevin Enderle, partner of BE-1 Concepts, the management company of Boca. “We are constantly sourcing from different farmers and fisheries for a variety of reasons, including seasonality and quality, and realized that we needed to enhance our communications to ensure that our guests are constantly informed as to where our products are from.”

When guests visit any of the Boca locations, they will now be given a “Local Dirt” menu insert – a listing of the locally sourced ingredients from current partners, and the menu items that include those ingredients. “Local Dirt,” which will be updated on an ongoing basis, will also share any exciting news for the current season, as well as any items from the local harvest that are available to purchase in Boca’s market.

Boca takes the “Farm to Table” concept very seriously, and uses local suppliers and farmers whenever possible. The restaurant’s food is fresh, and Boca’s freezer is hardly ever used, since Boca doesn’t freeze the ingredients that come into the restaurant.

It’s also helpful to note that in Ms. Reiley’s recent Times article “Farm to Fable,” two Boca products were incorrectly characterized. In fact, Boca routinely purchases Florida pink shrimp from Halpern’s, as well as buys all-natural chicken from Tecumseh Farms, which is also delivered via Halpern’s.

Boca’s new farm coordinator will be working with current farmers and fishermen partners while regularly pursuing new partners with which to do business.  Any local farmers or suppliers interested in working with Boca can fill out a farmer/partner application at bocakbm.com.

“We work tirelessly to vet our food partners while regularly adding new farms and fisheries,” Enderle said.  “Since we opened Boca more than four years ago, we’ve been committed to sourcing the best local ingredients to deliver the freshest food possible for our guests.”

Boca currently works with more than 15 local farms and partners. The farm coordinator will be responsible for ensuring that “Local Dirt” is updated with the restaurant’s current farms and partners as well as serving as a guest relations resource for any product sourcing questions guests may have.

“We would like to thank all of our guests who have put faith in Boca, and helped to make us one of the Tampa Bay area’s best local restaurants,” Enderle said. “We look forward to sharing these improvements with our customers and welcome any questions they might have.”

About BE-1 Concepts:

BE-1 Concepts is a hospitality group which owns multiple Boca Kitchen, Bar & Markets, Ciro’s Speakeasy & Supper Club, Park Social and Atlantic Beer & Oyster.

Media Contact:

Kyle Parks
727-895-5030 ext. 101
813-352-1325 (cell)

Direct link:  https://prnewschannel.com/2016/04/14/boca-makes-enhancements-to-its-farm-to-table-operation/

SOURCE:  BE-1 Concepts


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