Ocean Mist Farms Sponsors Artichoke Festival

Ocean Mist Farms will sponsor the Castroville Artichoke Food and Wine Festival as it returns to the Monterey County Fairgrounds May 30-31 to celebrate California’s official state vegetable. Now in its 56th year, the growing festival is anticipated to attract more than 30,000 visitors and will feature more food and wine and bigger entertainment acts in 2015. “We are excited that the festival continues to expand and is one of the region’s most anticipated events,” says Ron Stefani, president of the Castroville Artichoke Food and Wine Festival. “This event is a unique opportunity to highlight the impact artichokes have in Castroville and Monterey, and our goal is to share the good fun, delicious flavors and long-standing festival traditions with the local community and visitors from around the world.” Festival attendees can enjoy activities such as a farmer’s market, the Ocean Mist Farms Agro Art competition, arts and crafts vendors, children’s activities, the opportunity to meet Ocean Mist Farm’s ambassador “Arti the Artichoke,” artichoke field tours and a competitive artichoke eating contest. Attendees can also expect a variety of foods prepared using fresh artichokes. Options include artichokes creamed, steamed, deep-fried and grilled, and in burritos, soup, ice cream, cupcakes and more. Guests over 21 can enjoy wine tasting, micro brews and artichoke pairings. Northern California’s well-known chefs, Tony Baker and Ryan Scott, will showcase the versatility of the artichoke and share unique preparation techniques. Scott, host of San Francisco’s KGO radio cooking show and a Top Chef Season Four contestant, will broadcast live from the festival on May 30. The annual Castroville Artichoke Food and Wine Festival started in 1959 in Castroville, where California’s first artichoke shoots were planted in 1922. Today, nearly all of America’s artichoke supply comes from California and nearly two-thirds are grown in Castroville. Over the years, the festival has become the primary source of funding for local nonprofit groups that thrive with the success of the festival. The festival continues to grow, and in 2014 moved to the Monterey County Fairgrounds to host more attendees and attractions.   Castroville-based Ocean Mist Farms is the largest artichoke grower in North America and a long-time supporter of the festival. Ocean Mist Farms has grown artichokes for more than 90 years and donated all artichokes being used at the event. Ed Boutonnet, CEO of Ocean Mist Farms, said, “We’re proud to support the Castroville Artichoke Food and Wine Festival and to celebrate Castroville’s long and storied artichoke history.”   Tickets for the 2015 Castroville Artichoke Food and Wine Festival are available for purchase at www.artichokefestival.org and can be purchased at the door. For more information about all of the events at the 2015 Castroville Artichoke Food and Wine Festival, visit the festival website page follow festival happenings on Facebook and Twitter @ArtiFest.