The new line is portion-controlled in 2-ounce sizes of 11 different fruits and vegetables, so the product is being aimed at regional school systems throughout the Northeast, according to NJ Farm to School Network. The conference was attended by foodservice professionals as well as growers, producers, distributors and other farm-to-school stakeholders who met to explore how to integrate more local fruits and vegetables into school meals.

Fruits include red grapes, sliced red apples, sliced green apples, honeydew chunks, cantaloupe chunks and pineapple chunks, each packaged in either a small bag or clear cup. Broccoli florets, carrot slims, celery sticks, sugar snap peas and cauliflower florets are packaged in a small bag.

Also noted by New Jersey Farm to School Network is the upcoming NJ School Nutrition Association Convention, "Sowing the Seeds of Health and Nutrition," at the NJ Convention & Expo Center at Raritan Center, 97 Sunfield Ave., Edison May 13 and 14.

For more information, visit www.njfarmtoschool.org

Gene Muller, Flying Fish Brewing Co. founder and Rutgers alumnus, is introducing his new Exit 9 Hoppy Scarlet Ale to honor Rutgers at a launch party next week

Flying Fish Brewing Company, New Jersey's largest craft brewer, is introducing its new Exit 9 Hoppy Scarlet Ale — the latest in its "Exit Series" of beers honoring the Garden State —with a launch party from 6 to 9 p.m. March 9 at George Street Ale House, 378 George St., New Brunswick.

The venue is fitting because “Exit 9 is better known as ‘the Rutgers University exit [of the New Jersey Turnpike],’ so we crafted this Hoppy Scarlet Ale as a nod to their school color, scarlet,” according to Flying Fish founder/president Gene Muller, a Rutgers alumnus.

Flying Fish says that Exit 9 Hoppy Scarlet Ale is a richly flavored red beer crafted with a variety of domestic and imported malts and a classic American yeast strain.  Created by head brewer Casey Hughes, it is assertively hopped with Amarillo, Centennial, Chinook and Citra hops, for a bouquet with complex notes of citrus and tropical fruits and an appropriate bitterness in the finish.  Hughes recommends it with spicy foods, such as gumbo or curry, as well as alongside rich blue or sharp cheddar cheeses, or just by itself.

The Exit Series is a playful tribute to the New Jersey Turnpike, and began with Exit 4 American Tripel. Others include Exit 1 Bayshore Oyster Stout, Exit 6 Wallonian Rye, Exit 16 Wild Rice Double IPA, brewed with local wild rice in partnership with environmental efforts to revitalize the Meadowlands and Exit 13 Chocolate Stout, an import/export style stout brewed with chocolate imported through the Port of Newark.

For more information about Exit 9 or any of Flying Fish’s beers, visit www.flyingfish.com and www.exitseries.com, or call (856) 489-0061.

Chef Ed Coss of the Milford Oyster House holds his first-place trophy at the 2009 cookoff... at left is runner-up Christopher Bealle of Lambertville Station, who won the 2010 cookoff. (LOIS HEYMAN photo)

Hunterdon chefs will compete Monday to take the annual "Best Soup in Hunterdon"Rotary Clubs of Hunterdon County's cook-off title at the 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Hunterdon Central Regional High School Commons, 20 Junction Road, Flemington.

The Stanley Cup-style trophy, the "Soup-er Bowl," will be taken by one of the 25 professional cooks from Hunterdon restaurants, who will be selected by soup lovers' votes, after they taste sample-size cups of the soups for an admission fee of $10 and a can of food for the food pantry. The soups will be accompanied by rolls and dessert made by Polytech Culinary Arts students.

The fundraiser is sponsored by ShopRite of Hunterdon County and hosted by the county's five Rotary service clubs in Flemington, Clinton Sunrise, North Hunterdon, Lambertville-New Hope and Whitehouse.

christinacooks.com

Christina Pirello, Emmy-award winning host of the national public television series "Christina Cooks!" and author of the best-selling book "Cooking the Whole Foods Way" will hold a seminar and book signing at Arbor Glen’s Community Education Center in Bridgewater on March 24, to help celebrate National Nutrition Month.

Pirello's presentation, “Health Is Not Luck of the Draw –You Just Have to Know What to Eat” will take place from 10 a.m. to noon March 24.
During the seminar, Pirello will review that disease is not heredity or just fate. While lots of factors play a role, your destiny is not dictated. You just have to know what to eat.
Her love affair with food began at a young age when she spent many happy hours cooking with her mother, who centered family life in her Italian kitchen. “My mom was always so happy while she was cooking. It was the place where the whole family gathered, and it was a place I knew great joy came from,” she said.
As one of America’s preeminent authorities on natural and whole foods, she’s made it her purpose in life to show Americans that they can look their best and feel great too, by learning to eat natural, organic food.
Pirello has written five cookbooks including the bestselling "Cooking the Whole Foods Way," which was recently named the "Healthiest Cookbook of the Decade" by the Physician's Committee for Responsible Medicine.
For more about Christina Pirello, visit www.christinacooks.com.
At Arbor Glen, 100 Monroe St., Bridgewater, a Continental breakfast will be served. A book signing with Pirello will follow the presentation. This event is limited to 150 attendees, so call Debbie at 908-595-6579 to reserve a space.

Unionville Vineyards

According to Unionville: "In 1773, Thomas Jefferson also famous for his love of wine invested in Italian winemaker Fillipo Mazzei's new company. Mazzei planned to grow and produce wines for the colonies, and declared, 'I do not believe that nature is so favorable to growing vines in any country as this.' Jefferson's influence attracted other investors including George Washington. Washington enjoyed eating well. He entertained and fed all who came to his home with great hospitality."

Unionville will participate in March's Wine & Food Month with a Wine Trail Weekend on March 5 and 6. A food tasting will be presented by the highly Zagat-rated Matt's Red Rooster Grill in Flemington and musical performances will be given by singer/songwriter Joe Coco in the Winemaker's Barrel Storage Building.

Wine tasting and wine sales will be offered in the 1858 Tasting Room and in the Winemaker's Barrel Storage Building.  Complimentary winery tours will be given at 2:30 and 4 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday. Wine tasting with hustle dance lessons will take place in the Mansion at 1 p.m. Sunday. A reservation and prepayment is required for all dance lesson events.
Unionville Vineyards is at 9 Rocktown Road, Ringoes. Call 908-788-0400 or visit www.unionvillevineyards.com

Alba Vineyard

The event will offer visitors a chance to learn more about wine, wine making and wine tasting with unique chocolate and food pairings, as well as provide the opportunity to stock up on award-winning Alba wines.  Hourly wine cellar tours will also be offered.

Joining in for the first time will be J. Emanuel Chocolatier from Chester, makers of handcrafted chocolates.  Cliff Cababe and his chefs from Country Picnic in Bedminster will present their signature appetizers to pair with Alba's wines.

Reservations are not accepted for this event.  Wine tastings with chocolate and food parings, samples of wine and an hourly cellar tour will be available throughout the day for $10 per person.

Alba Vineyard is two miles east of the Delaware River in the Musconetcong Valley.  The winery and tasting room are housed in a historic 1805 converted stone barn that features an impressive wood tasting bar, rustic stone walls and old oak beams.

For the best directions to Alba Vineyard, visit www.AlbaVineyard.com.  For more information, contact Alba Vineyard at 908-995-7800 or send an e-mail to Wine@AlbaVineyard.com

Anyone interested in donating a prize for auction should contact Randy Davis at rdavis223@aol.com or 908-392-0427.

For reservations for the Taste of Branchburg, contact Wilma Matysek at (908)725-3209 or wbmbranch@verizon.net.   A reservation form is included in the flyer on the school district website at www.branchburg.k12.nj.us.    Advance tickets are $25 for adults, $15 for seniors $10 for high school students and $5 for students K-8.  Children 4 and younger admitted free.  A limited number of tickets will be available at the door.

Diane Henderiks prepares horseradish and lemon-crusted salmon. (Bob Bielk/APP.com)

Diane Henderiks shows how to prepare heart-healthy, soul-satisfying Valentine's Day dinners, without sacrificing good taste. It's in this month's InJersey magazine.

Jersey Devil Chocolates

Find out more about Jersey Devil Chocolates at www.JerseyDevilChocolates.com
Jersey Devil Chocolates is also now available at Hickory Tree Deli in Chatham Township, - Personally Yours in Cranford, - Brush's Deli in Basking Ridge, - Bobby's Main Street News in Boonton - Liberty Drug in Chatham, - The Candy Store of Harding,  - Gary's Wine & Marketplace in Bernardsville, Madison & Wayne, - Fairmount Country Store in Chatham,  - C'est Cheese in Morristown,  - Smack Daddy's in North Wildwood, - Pascarella Bros. in Chatham,  - Madison Pharmacy in Madison,  - Cottage Deli in Chatham, - T.M. Ward Coffee Co. in Chatham- and The Shakespeare Theatre of NJ at the F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre on the campus of Drew University in Madison.