Restaurant Association of Maryland Blog

Buy Local Plus: RAM meets with Department of Agriculture

The Restaurant Association of Maryland's president, Paul Hartgen, sat down with the team from the Maryland Department of Agriculture to discuss ways in which the restaurant industry can better partner with the state's agricultural initiatives.

Some of the next steps that emerged: Working on"distribution/on-line marketplace" software to connect Maryland Farmers with Maryland Restaurant Operators; Finding a way to tie in our Restaurant Association of Maryland Educational Foundation's 3,000 ProStart students with the Farm to School Program and locally grown products;  Looking for way to have restaurant operators make use of the "Maryland's Best" logo way to promote these products to their customers.

The participants in today's meeting were:
Noreen Eberly, Director, Seafood Marketing and Aquaculture Development
Amy Crone, Marketing Specialist
Leith McMenamin, Public Information Intern
Sue duPont, Director of Communications
Mark Powell, Chief of Marketing
Jane Storrs, Director of National Marketing
Julie Oberg, Public Information Officer

The meeting came at the request of Colm O'Comartun, Director of the Governor's Office.

If you'd like to participate in any of these initaives, please contact the Restaurant Association of Maryland at 410-290-6800.

Association Meets with Congressman Kratovil

Early today the Restaurant Association of Maryland's Melvin Thompson, SVP Governmental Affairs and Paul Hartgen President & CEO met with Congressman Kratovil to keep the industry's issues on the front burner.  The breakfast meeting held at RAM restaurant Holly's Restaurant & Motel with other business groups and industry leaders focused on Card Check, Health Care, H2B and Credit Cards.

Thompson following up with the Congressman on calls he has made to his office asked for the Congressman's support on the Labeling Education and Nutrition Act (LEAN Act), which would provide consumers with the tools they need to make educated and healthy decisions when eating at restaurants and chain food establishments across the country.

This breakfast was sponsored by NFIB.

FOODSERVICE PUBLICATION TOUTS BENEFITS OF STATE RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP

In the recent May 2009 issue of Foodservice Monthly, the Restaurant Association of Maryland received great membership endorsement due to the fervent efforts of its Government Affairs Department. The commentary opened with, “If there was ever a timely testimonial showing why you should join your Restaurant Association, it happened at the end of the Maryland legislative session” – referencing the Restaurant Association of Maryland and hospitality industry’s successful repeal of the soda fountain license fee. In closing the commentary stated, “Maryland restaurateurs can be thankful for the vigilance of the Association’s voice, ear and eyes for this victory…easily worth the cost of membership for many." Great to see Maryland’s trade publications endorse the enormous value a foodservice operation will receive through membership with a state restaurant Association. As the commentary states “Let your Association work for you!”

 

RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION OF MARYLAND HOSTS 'NIGHT TO NETWORK' AT HOULIHAN'S

The Restaurant Association of Maryland hosted “A Night to Network” yesterday evening at Houlihan’s in Howard County. The hospitality industry was well represented with both allied and restaurant members present. Guests enjoyed a casual atmosphere, happy hour drink specials and the company of their peers. The Restaurant Association of Maryland hopes to grow the Night to Network events, providing more restaurateurs and industry suppliers the opportunity to mingle with fellow professionals and members of the Association.  Upcoming Night to Network events will be held in various counties throughout the state. Announcements for the Night to Network events will be advertised on a monthly basis through our membership newsletter, HotStuff. A special thank you to Houlihan’s for supporting the event and providing the perfect networking setting and thank you to all who attended! For more information please contact our Membership Department at 410-290-6800.