Lowcountry Local First Honored with Signature Charity Distinction for the 2011 BB&T Charleston Wine + Food Festival®

CHARLESTON, SC – August 11, 2010 – Lowcountry Local First (LLF), a 501 (c)3 organization that advocates the benefits of a local living economy by strengthening community support for independent locally owned businesses and farmers, is thrilled to announce that they have been selected by the BB&T Charleston Wine + Food Festival® as the signature charity for 2011. As the signature charity, LLF will receive funding from the Festival through a variety of fundraising initiatives, including donations, ticket sales, and silent auctions at signature events during and before the Festival weekend. The Festival has already begun raising money for LLF through the Ultimate Critics Dinner on September 1, 2010 and at the Ticket Launch + Benefit Party on September 2, 2010. Both events have already sold out to the public. Last year the Festival raised an estimated $77,000 for their Signature Charities and scholarships combined.

The Festival’s 2011 charitable donation will be utilized to support LLF’s Farm Fresh Food program, the long-range goal of LLF’s Sustainable Agriculture Program Initiative. The Farm Fresh Food program serves as a catalyst for increasing the availability of local, sustainably produced products for chefs, grocers, and consumers through an increase in the number of locally-based farms and farmers; providing greater access to land suitable for agricultural production; integrating locally-grown foods into area schools and institutions; and enhancing public awareness about the significance of supporting local farms.

LLF is ecstatic to be selected as the Signature Charity for the BB&T Charleston Wine + Food Festival®,” said Jamee Haley, Executive Director of LLF. “The impact that this funding will have on our work with farmers, chefs, and future food system leaders is tremendous. Support from a highly regarded organization like the Festival heightens our mission and will allow us to reach many more members of our community.

The BB&T Charleston Wine + Food Festival®, March 3-6, 2011, is praised as one of the top five food and wine festivals in the U.S. by Forbes Traveler. This annual four-day event infuses home-grown flavor with the most celebrated chefs, culinary professionals and winemakers in the world. The Festival, a non-profit organization, benefits local culinary charities and scholarships. 

More detailed information regarding LLF, visit www.lowcountrylocalfirst.org.  To learn more about BB&T Charleston Wine + Food Festival®, visit charlestonwineandfood.com.