Happy Trails

If you haven’t been to the Mass Grown website, published by the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, it’s a terrific clearinghouse of information on all things locally grown and produced.

We especially want to call your attention to the Savor Massachusetts section, which promotes culinary tourism and has links to some great local foodie information by area.

There’s a page on brewery tours with addresses, hours, and pricing information. Here on the North Shore you might want to check out Cape Ann Brewery. There’s also a page listing culinary education opportunities, including Lattitude 43’s “We Cook What You Catch,” a fishing trip paired with a fresh catch lunch or dinner.

Additionally, you’ll find a calendar page with culinary events and farm festivals like the Alfalfa Farm Winery Salsa & Sangria Party in Topsfield on August 15.

And last but not least, there’s a new PDF called Wine & Cheese Trails with directions to various wineries and cheesemakers. The North Shore section features Essex Cheese Company, Russell Orchards, and Alfalfa Farm. Other trails include South of Boston, Cape and Islands, Central Mass, and Western Mass, for those willing to venture outside the North Shore.