Half Moon Bay Businesses are 'As Fresh as it Gets'

Be healthy and reduce your carbon footprint by eating locally grown produce and using seasonal ingredients from San Mateo County. That's the message behind the San Mateo County/Silicon Valley’s “As Fresh as it Gets” Award Program, which recognizes, local restaurants, hotels, corporations, and caterers for buying and serving products from local San Mateo County growers.

The program’s goals are to support the county’s farmers, fishermen, and wine and beer makers, to position San Mateo County as a world-class destination for culinary tourism and to educate locals about the area’s incredible fresh products and their health value.

California Farm Bureau Federation President, Paul Wenger, has described the "As Fresh as it Gets" program as “a model for the entire state.”

The “San Mateo County: As Fresh as it Gets” promotion earned a national community program award from the American Farm Bureau and a commendation from the U.S Department of Agriculture. The Convention and Visitors Bureau, Farm Bureau, County Department of Agriculture and Harbor District are always working on ways to maximize the distribution of local products throughout the county.

“Most visitors want a truly unique experience when they travel. Enjoying the freshest cuisine with local wine or beer uses all five senses, creating a truly memorable experience and one that will bring people back,” says CVB CEO Anne LeClair. 

The "As Fresh as it Gets" program has been and is expected to grow as restaurants continue to see the value in purchasing, serving and labeling local products.

In addition to bragging rights for being “As Fresh as it Gets,” restaurant owners or catering managers are presented with a plaque to display in their establishment, a polo shirt and commendations from the California Assembly and Senate and the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors. 

In 2012, the Bureau added a “Healthy Kids Menu” portion to their award thanks to Coastside resident Manuela Seitz-Hipkins, founder of Well Kiddos, a Half Moon Bay organization that advocates providing children with healthy food choices when dining in or out. It is an additional recognition to restaurants for their efforts in promoting healthy food options for kids.

The program follows other cooperative successes of the San Mateo County CVB and San Mateo County Farm Bureau, which have included two San Mateo County: As Fresh as it Gets cookbooks, featuring local restaurant recipes using local seafood and ingredients grown in San Mateo County. 

Here are the “As Fresh as it Gets” 2013-1014 award winners from the Coast:

Platinum Level
Arcangeli Deli & Wine - www.normsmarket.com
Duarte’s Tavern - www.duartestavern.com
It’s Italia - www.itsitaliarestaurant.com
Navio - www.naviorestaurant.com
Pasta Moon - www.pastamoon.com
Sam’s Chowder House - www.samschowderhouse.com

Gold Level
Café Gibraltar - www.cafegibraltar.com
Cascade Bar & Grille – Costanoa Resort – www.costanoa.com
Half Moon Bay Brewing Company - www.hmbbrewingco.com

Traditional Level
Café Capistrano -(650) 726-7699
Cameron’s Restaurant and Pub - www.cameronsinn.com
Casey’s Catering - http://caseyscafeofhalfmoonbay.com
Chez Shea - www.chez-shea.com
Goose & Turrets B&B - http:/goose.montara.com
Half Moon Bay Lodge - www.halfmoonbaylodge.com
Highway 1 Brewing Company - www.highway1brewingcompany.com
Landis Shores Oceanfront Inn - www.landisshores.com
Miramar Beach Restaurant - www.miramarbeachrestaurant.com
Pescadero Creek Inn - www.pescaderocreekinn.com
Princeton Seafood Company - www.princetonseafood.com
The Family Chef - www.amythefamilychef.com

An updated calendar of events, lists of winners and where to buy local produce is posted on the website. Farmer/vintner profiles have also been added to the site and video segments are currently being edited for embedding in the website this summer, thanks to the help of the County’s Department of Agriculture.

An award ceremony to honor the winners will be held June 20 at the Half Moon Bay Lodge.

Restaurants, accommodations and caterers desiring more information or an award application form should contact the CVB directly at 650-348-7600 or e-mail info@smccvb.com.