A new special line charcuterie made in Rhode Island from locally raised hogs, labels designed by students from one of the nation’s top art schools, is the winner of two the prestigious national Good Food Awards.
Daniele, Inc.’s Local Del Duca Prosciutto and Mortadella with pistachios both received first place awards in the blind taste test by 225 of the nation’s top chefs and food critics.
The only New England charcuterie to win 2014 Good Food Awards, the Daniele’s local line was developed as part of an initiative that supports local farmers and encourages a new comprehensive food culture in Rhode Island and nearby states.
Daniele created a local line of charcuterie using pork raised on New England farms. Students from the Rhode Island School of Design designed the New England-inspired label. Chefs from Providence-based Johnson and Wales University helped develop recipes.
The result, an award-winning line of products made in New England. The Good Food Awards recognize elite food producers and the farmers.
"These awards highlight the dedication from not only Daniele, but also our community in general," says Davide Dukcevich, whose family started Daniele, Inc., over 30 years ago. “We created this local line with the hopes of supporting and growing our local farms while also capitalizing on the synergies created by multiple food based specialties in our region."
Small family farms, including Rhode Island's Timberstone and Blackbird Farms raised high quality hogs for use in the new local line.
"We are thrilled for Daniele receiving two Good Food Awards" says The Bouthillette Family, which owns Blackbird Farm. "Daniele’s dedication to using our Heritage Berkshire pork to create the local line charcuterie helps the us to raise more animals—which grows our business."
Daniele and other food producers in the New England region are continuing to focus on locally grown high quality products. This collaborative effort brings together farms, educational facilities, restaurants, chefs and food manufactures like Daniele who create economic growth around the agriculture and food sector.
"We think it’s exceptional that Daniele Foods, as a multinational food company, has turned its focus towards local foods in Rhode Island and connections with local agriculture," says Kenneth Ayers, chief of the Division of Agriculture for Rhode Island. "These awards are testimony to that effort."