This past week the Dave Matthews Band performed two shows at the Nikon at Jones Beach Theater. Our beloved Jones Beach Theater is a seasonal go-to destination for both nationally known bands and Long Island fans alike. It isn’t summer without at least one show at Jones Beach! What set the DMB shows apart from all others was that the band, roadies and backstage crew (160 people in all) enjoyed pre-show meals made entirely of locally sourced food from Long Island and New York State. Matthews, who also sits on the board of directors of Farm Aid, is an ardent and dedicated supporter of the local food movement.
For the second year in a row, Rustic Roots Delivery was asked to provide the key ingredients for this feast. Rustic Roots, which had been featured in our sister publication Edible East End, brings fresh organic food from local farms and artisans directly to the doorstep of Long Islanders and New Yorkers. Husband and wife owners, Jeff and Emer Moore, have developed extensive relationships with farms and farmers from the East End to upstate New York. They visit local farms several times each week to pick and select the tastiest in-season produce and deliver it to your door … or backstage. According to Jeff, “Dave had nothing but praise for New York’s farmers”.
And, what local goodies did the DMB savor pre-show? Strawberries, rhubarb, spring onions and sugar snap peas from Briermere Farms (Riverhead), escarole, Swiss chard and red Russian kale from Natural Earth Farm (Calverton), Greek yogurt, sauerkraut and feta cheese from Goodale Farm (Aquabogue), zucchini, radishes and lettuce from Balsam Farms (East Hampton), shitake mushrooms from the Long Island Mushroom Company (Cutchogue), cilantro, mint and basil from Garden Fusion (East Marion) and eggs from Turtleback Farm (Smithtown)
So, if you happened to have scored a ticket to one of the shows and noticed that the Dave Matthews Band was performing particularly vibrantly, full of vim and vigor, it was clearly because they dined on the freshest food our area has to offer.
