DECATUR-– On Tuesday, August 19, 2014, the Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association (AMLA) will hold a press conference and luncheon to help the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) launch a new national tourism campaign. Two culinary destinations in Limestone County have been selected for the ARC’s Bon Appétit Appalachia, a tourism map-guide of unique culinary destinations published as an insert in Food Traveler Magazine.
Bon Appétit Appalachia showcases 283 of the Appalachian Region’s most distinctive food destinations, including 64 in Alabama. Approximately 182,000 copies of the map-guide are provided as an insert in the summer 2014 issue of Food Traveler Magazine. The full-color oversized map highlights culinary destinations in the Appalachia region by showcasing unique, local foods behind each destination and is designed to educate travelers and residents on local farms, farmers markets, farm-to-fork restaurants, chefs featuring local ingredients, vineyards and award-winning wineries, craft breweries and distilleries, heritage food festivals, and other distinctive culinary events. The map-guide is also prominently featured on 
www.visitappalachia.com and includes detailed information and searchable maps to locate food businesses, attractions and events throughout the 13-state region.
The two culinary destinations located in Limestone County highlighted in the national campaign are Belle Chevre Creamery and Cheese Shop (www.bellechevre.com) in 
Elkmont and 1818 Farms (www.1818farms.com) in Mooresville.
“North Alabama has become a culinary delight for travelers near and far. Today, people travel to a destination to not only visit an attraction or event, but to experience everything about a city or town including its local flavor and culinary heritage. Bon Appétit Appalachia will help drive more visitors to the region and provide a boost to local businesses, farms, attractions and events,” said AMLA President/CEO Tami Reist.
The campaign is a marketing effort by the ARC designed to boost tourism and to stimulate economic development in the Appalachian region.
On hand for the announcement set for August 19 at 11:30 a.m. at Belle Chevre Creamery in Elkmont will be ARC Federal Co-Chair Earl F. Gohl (appointed by President Barack Obama), ARC State Program Manager Jimmy Lester, and Governor’s ARC Representative Jim Byard, Jr. as well as other regional and local tourism officials and owners and representatives of the culinary destinations featured in the map-guide. Governor Robert Bentley, who was unable to attend due to a scheduling conflict, serves as the 2014 states’ co-chair of the ARC.
MEDIA RELEASE/Athens-Limestone County Tourism Association/Teresa A. Todd
