Local Grower Honored as First Recipient of Locavore Award

CHATHAM –All 11 nominees were on hand to be recognized and applauded as the first annual Victoria A. Simons Locavore Awards were presented as a highlight of Agriculture Appreciation Day at the 168th Columbia County Fair.

Joe Gilbert, owner of The Berry Farm in Chatham, walked off with the $1,000 top prize, honored for his long-time commitment to providing and promoting local food. Gilbert’s operation, now in its 29th year, offers chemical-free berries and produce grown on-site as well as a wide variety of foodstuffs from local producers throughout the tri-state area and beyond.

A special $500 runner-up prize was awarded to Brian J. Alberg, Executive Chef and Director of Food & Beverage at the Red Lion Inn in Stockbridge, MA. Alberg was cited for his “Sustainable Food” menus at the inn’s 4 restaurants, for $400,000/yr in local food purchases, and for his work as an advocate and educator on behalf of local food.

All the nominees received laser-engraved display pieces commemorating their status as Inaugural Nominees for the award.

The presentations were made by Dick Alford, president of the Columbia County Agricultural Society, which puts on the Fair, and Lael Locke, representing the award committee.

“We look forward to this award becoming a prestigious and important recognition of the growing activity and creativity exhibited here in bringing local food to local mouths,” said Alford.

The word Locavore was coined in San Francisco at the 2005 World Environment Day to describe and promote the practice of eating a diet consisting of food harvested within a 100-mile area. The Locavore movement encourages people to grow their own food; buy from farmer’s markets, CSAs, and other local food programs; and to patronize restaurants, caterers and other food preparers that feature local ingredients.

The Victoria A. Simons Locavore Award recognizes outstanding vision and accomplishment in expanding the availability, quantity, quality or distribution of local foods. Simons, long time editor of The Independent newspaper, executive director of Columbia County Bounty and Vice President of the Columbia County Fair was a sparkplug for many causes targeting community improvement. She was a strong proponent of Locavore activities as part of her commitment to see greater use of locally produced food and to keep agriculture an integral part of the community experience.