RALEIGH - A new program called the Dig Into Local 90 Day Challenge created by the Department of Agriculture is challenging North Carolina restaurants and chefs to use more locally grown food in their menus. The program aims to promote the bounty of N.C. agricultural products available during the summer months.

Tim Parrish, foodservice marketing specialist with the Department of Agriculture, says “the ideals of the program basically state that you’re going to support this program as much as possible on your menu for the next 90 days. You can do one menu item a week or you can do 10 menu items a week. There’s really no right or wrong way to do it.”

Parrish says the restaurants will be judged on quantity, but also on the quality of their menus and use of advertising. “I want to see what dishes were created. How did you advertise that it was local? Did you use the specific farm that you bought from? Which ingredient was local? How did you describe each dish? How many times did you change your menu?”

Parrish says that a total of about 28 or 29 restaurants across the state are participating. The winner will receive a custom marketing package from the Department of Agriculture to use in its area.

For more information or to register a restaurant, go to www.gottobenc.com.