CANTON – The state Department of Agriculture and Markets has designed a Cuisine Trail Designation Program, which St. Lawrence County leaders have identified as a way to increase local food production and sales, as well as attract outside visitors to the area.

An information meeting will be held on Thursday, July 28 at the Cornell Cooperative Extension Learning Farm at 2043B State Highway 68 at 6 p.m.

The trails have been identified by the NYS Agriculture and Markets Department as "an association of producers, that may include a combination of producers, food or agricultural product processors and retailers including, but not limited to, restaurants, that are in close proximity to each other, sell in a cooperative manner a complementary variety of unusual, unique, or hard to find fresh farm and food products and foods prepared primarily with such products for on or off premises consumption, including but not limited to, herbs, meats, vegetables, salad materials, wines, cut flowers, mushrooms or fruits. Such trails may utilize a map, other directional devices, or highway signs to market their products and direct patrons to their places of business."

This project is being spearheaded by Cornell Cooperative Extension of St. Lawrence County, GardenShare and the St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce.

Brooke Rouse, director of the Chamber said "this is an exciting agri-tourism project that will highlight restaurants, shops, farm stands and markets, lodging properties and attractions with a commitment to local food in their production, sales, or experiences."

Registration for the info session can be found on the calendar for July 28 at www.NorthCountryGuide.com or by calling 386-4000. For more info or to sign up to have your property on the trail, contact Joe Goliber, Joe@slcchamber.org.