Food Independence Day (FID) 2009

Nine first families expressed their support for sourcing their July 4th meals locally.



IDAHO: 
An official from the Idaho Governor's office reports that the governor plans to barbecue Idaho-bred beef and prepare vegetables from the first lady's garden. They "aren't big on dessert" so they will likely "munch on some of our many home-grown fruits."

MAINE:
From First Lady Karen Baldacci. The 4th of July is our annual family reunion at camp on Sebec Lake.  We normally have family bring food items. Our traditional luncheon is always local. Featured dishes usually include:

  • Maine Lobster & Clams (purchased from Hallowell Seafood & sourced from the Boothbay Harbor Lobster & Fisherman)
  • Maine Salmon (broiled with fresh dill)
  • Maine Mussels (steamed in garlic & wine)
  • Potato Salad (Maine potatoes)
  • Fresh garden peas
  • Green Salad (home grown lettuce mixes, spinach & radishes)
  • Maine Strawberry Short cake or Strawberry Rhubarb Pie (strawberries from the Underwood farm of Fairfield)
  • Maine Blueberry Pie


MARYLAND: 
First family menu from Christine Hansen.For the Fourth of July, Maryland's First Family will be eating: 

  • Marinated Grilled Flank Steak 
  • Maryland Crab Cakes (a recipe that has been around for over 25
  • years at Maryland's Government House, where the First Family resides)
  • Sugar Snap Pea & Hearts of Palm Salad 
  • Rice Salad
  • Green Salad (fresh from the First Lady's vegetable garden)
  • Pound Cake w/ Blueberries, Strawberries & Whipped cream


MINNESOTA:

Governor's residence manager, Amanda Simpson has informed us that the Pawlentys will be out of state on July 4th but are making the following efforts to make every day food independence day through the following initiatives:

  • We are getting a CSA from Featherstone Farms and we love it. I just picked up this weeks box and everything looked amazing. 
  • Our chef has been directed to purchase only local dairy and eggs.
  • I’m working in a few different directions to purchase only local meats.  
  • We have an herb garden at the Residence. Additionally, our Groundskeeper and I are working on a container vegetable garden. It will probably be only tomatoes and peppers this year but it does have the benefit of being seen by the 600 people per month who tour the Residence. We’ve spoken to our docents and they are excited about highlighting our efforts in this area.
  • We’ve made signage for our buffets that will acknowledge Minnesota-made items and the grower, whenever possible
  • Finally, we’re working with the Capitol Grounds Crew and the Department of Administration to see if there is any possibility of a vegetable garden at the Capitol.


MONTANA: 
From Jayson O'Neill, representing Montana First Lady Nancy Schweitzer.
  • Montana-raised beef hamburgers
  • Fresh-baked French Bread (From local bakery)
  • Milkshakes made with Montana huckleberries
  • Montana Huckleberry crisp
  • Black Angus Ribeye Steaks
  • Salad with fresh greens from farmer's market
  • Bouquet of flowers for table from farmers market

NORTH DAKOTA: 
  • First family menu: From Steve Sharkey, residence manager for the N.D. governor's residence: 
  • Hamburgers  made with North Dakota-raised beef
  • Hamburger buns made from North Dakota wheat
  • Potato salad made with North Dakota potatoes
  • Baked beans made with North Dakota beans and bacon from North Dakota-raised pork
  • Potato chips made from North Dakota-grown potatoes
  • Pasta salads made from North Dakota wheat
  • Veggies and dips made from North Dakota-grown vegetables and dips from North Dakota's dairy industry
  • Rhubarb pie made from North Dakota-grown rhubarb
  • Raspberry tart made from North Dakota-grown raspberries
  • Sun tea made in North Dakota's great sunshine!

SOUTH DAKOTA: 
First family menu: From Joe Kafka, press secretary to Gov. Mike Rounds. South Dakota Gov. Mike Rounds will be camping with family near the capital over the July Fourth holiday. Menu items include:
  • hamburgers
  • hot dogs
  • smoked beef brisket
  • goose jerky
  • pheasant jerky (state bird)    
  • walleye (state fish)
  • lots of salads
  • lots of fruit
  • green beans and buttered beets from the Governor's own garden
  • s'mores cooked over the campfire

TEXAS:
Governor Perry reports on Twitter that his July 4th menu will include Texas-made sausage from Zabcikville and "Creamy Creation" San Antonio-made peach ice cream. See: http://bbltwt.com/psh0t

WEST VIRGINIA:
From Sherée Kesler, Director of Operations and Events at the governor's mansion:
  • Patchwork coleslaw (shredded cabbage with colored peppers)
  • Grandma Jacobin's Potato Salad (potatoes, boiled eggs, garlic, salt, pepper and olive oil)
  • Cider-mopped chicken and grilled baby back ribs
  • Roasted ears of corn with roasted garlic and basil butter
  • Sliced tomatoes lightly drizzled with olive oil and basil
  • Carmelized onion and thyme corn muffins
  • Chilled sliced melons
  • Double-fudge black walnut brownies
  • Traditional shortcake with local strawberries and whipped cream
  • Lemonade with fresh mint

All produce from local Capitol Farmers Market in Charleston, W.V. except for the tomatoes and herbs which were grown at the Governor's Mansion.


For more info on FID, please contact Roger Doiron of Kitchen Gardeners International (roger (at) kitchengardeners (dot) org) .