Red Bank, NJ – Blackwell’s Organic Gelato based in Red Bank, NJ has been voted a Local Hero/Food Artisan by the readers of Edible Jersey Magazine. “What makes the honor especially nice is that it comes from the readers and ultimately our customers.”  said Marcia Blackwell, owner.  “We are proud to be featured with such a great group of winners, Dreyer Farms, Small World Coffee, A Toute Heure Restaurant and the North Jersey Chapter of Slow Food.” ...

Readers could nominate their favorites in 5 categories: Farm, Food Artisan, Restaurant, Beverage Artisan and Non Profit Organization.  Each winner received a full page article and photo in the Spring Issue of Edible Jersey.  

“When Edible Jersey invited readers to participate in our first annual Readers’ Choice Local Hero awards, we had no idea of the wave of response that was headed our way.   Hundreds of votes were cast for over 150 New Jersey farms, restaurants, food artisans, beverages and nonprofit organizations.” said Nancy Painter, Editor and Founder of Edible Jersey Magazine.

Marcia & Tom Blackwell and the other winners will be presented with their awards at a reception at the Frog & the Peach Restaurant in New Brunswick on Monday April 7, 2008.

Blackwell’s Organic is NJ’s first and only certified organic, dairy-free [vegan] gelato and fruit sorbetto manufacturer. The company - headquartered in Red Bank – was started by Marcia and Tom Blackwell in 2005. Blackwell’s Organic is dedicated to using ingredients that come from farmers and suppliers devoted to sustainable agriculture, resource conservation, and fair trade.

The classic, healthful frozen desserts are handmade in the Italian tradition, using the highest quality certified organic ingredients including Fair Trade Certified™ cocoa and coffee, and real fruit and fruit juice.

To learn more about Blackwell’s Organic and their products and upcoming events, please visit their Web site: www.blackwellsorganic.com and www.gelatobymail.com

Edible Jersey Magazine for more information please visit www.ediblejersey.com or contact Nancy Brannigan Painter at (201) 463-8358

To read the articles on each local hero please click here http://www.ediblejersey.com/pages/articles/spring2008/pdfs/localHero.pdf