The buzz from us and others
March 16, 2012
Randolph College Alumnae Achievement Award Recipient
 "Rie" Meriwether Godsey was honored as an alumni award recipient for her accomplishments and what she has brought to Randolph Macon Woman's College. Rie and Eddie began this fabulous food adventure in 1980 together founding Meriwether Godsey; the company was built under a unique concept of residential premier dining focusing on food excellence and hospitality.
Today, the company employs more than 500 people and it serves in over 30 locations along the Eastern US region including businesses, colleges, schools, and residential communities.
January 25, 2012
Backyard Bow Pro 150,000 Donated Meals!
 Derek St. Romain, MG Chef, uses his bow-hunting skills and heritage to join others in NC to help feed the hungry. This organization was recently featured on the news for reaching over 150,000 donated meals!
January 25, 2012
Meriwether Godsey Strengthening Our Core
 Watch our newest video on youtube!
November 4, 2011
Guilford dining collaborates with Piedmont Biofuels
 Guilford Dining featured in a recent article in the Guilfordian for its partnership with Piedmont Biofuels.
Here's a quote from our own Snehal Deshmukh, Director of Dining Services at Guilford College.
"There are many benefits from our relationship with Piedmont Biofuels. Not only does it keep our cooking oil out of the waste stream, but it also helps create a renewable, clean-burning, North Carolina-grown fuel. Having a fuel source that is locally produced is a major step in creating a more locally-based economy."
Read more.
October 24, 2011
Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden mention in Trip Advisor
 Trip advisor features Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden on their website.
October 13, 2011
The Guilford Garden featured in national publication!
 On-Campus Hospitality features the Guilford Garden on their magazine this October (Vegetarian Month).
Within the past 24 months the Guilford Garden has become a reality after 30 years of only being an idea.
Click here to view the article published (PDF)
September 23, 2011
The Guilford Garden is amazing.
 The Guilford Garden is providing lots of daily veggies for dining. Read more in the Guilfordian.
Also, check out some recent photos taken at the garden here.
September 13, 2011
Tanya Hipp, MG Director honored.
 Tanya Hipp, MG Director at Norfolk Academy, has been selected by the Lower School SCA as staff honoree for September!
Check out the original post on our Facebook page here.
August 19, 2011
Lynchburg's Business Magazine features farmbasket in their new issue.
 Step back in time to nearly 50 years ago. In the year 1964, Perkins Flippin, the owner of an orchard in Nelson County, brought her hail damaged apples to sell at a fruit stand on the side of the road in Lynchburg. From that small entrepreneurial endeavor, a seed was planted and, much like her apples, it grew to become what is fondly known of today as The Farm Basket.
June 10, 2011
MG at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden earns Hall of Fame award
 NBC12's Hall of Fame Award goes to MG at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden in Richmond, VA for earning perfect inspection scores and having outstanding food quality.
"Most important is control of food, from purchasing to receiving, temperature control, and serving the food," said Meriwether Godsey Chef Tony Arrington.
June 10, 2011
MG at Sidwell Friends Dining Staff Honored by Class of 2011
 From the dedication:
We believe that the members of the kitchen staff are exemplars of one of the ideas behind this year's yearbook theme: letting your life speak. They continue to make a difference at this school through helping us understand that eating healthy and delicious food can be one and the same. Through using local fruits and vegetables, they uphold those values of environmental stewardship we talk so much about. They work harder than we even comprehend, coming into school at early hours so that food can be ready... lt is nearly impossible to catch any member of the kitchen staff without a smile on his or her face, and that smile, just a simple pick-me-up, makes a difference to so many students each and every day. Because the kitchen staff makes such a difference in the lives of students, teachers, administrators, and even the Secret Service (who have known to say with enthusiasm,"Yes! It's chicken patty day!"), we thought that no one could express the love and appreciation we have for them better than members of the school community. So, from all of us who have enjoyed the school lunches for the past four or more years, we would like to say thank
you for being the most amazing and dedicated chefs any of us could possibly wish for.
Read the full post here
May 24, 2011
MG @ Sidwell Friends School goes National!! Featured in Food Service Director Magazine Online Edition
 The main focus of Green Cuisine is buying locally and, when possible, organic. Like many other programs, produce is the main component of the program. The school has partnered with Mennonite farmers in southern Maryland to purchase local and organic produce, including lettuce, cucumbers, squash and peaches.
Read the full article here
May 10, 2011
Chef Cate Smith featured at Duke Farmer's Market
 A farmers market sponsored for all Duke employees, every Friday thru September. May is Berry Month!
Chef Cate and Peggy Anderson served up blueberry turkey burgers, grilled strawberries, and raspberry cream tart to hundreds of guests. Can we say YUM!?!
April 18 – 22, 2011
Earth Week
 On April 18-22 we joined people across the globe to celebrate our Earth.
During this week we featured local foods and reduced meat menus to raise awareness about how our choices impact the environment.
Using local ingredients means we reduce long-distance trucking and increase support for local economies and small businesses. Being more mindful about our consumption of meat decreases the demand that drives “factory farming” which accounts for 1/5 of global greenhouse gasses (more than all forms of transportation, combined).
Earth Week pictures here
November 8 – 12, 2010
Virginia Farm to School Week
We celebrated Virginia Farm to School Week in style at a number of locations serving local products and featuring farmers that provided them. Just another way to raise community awareness about the importance of supporting our local economies, reducing the environmental effects of long-distance trucking, and eating fresh foods.
October 12, 2010
Third Annual Feed the Difference
All MG locations featured local foods, less meat, seasonal favorites to raise awareness about sustainability. Click here to see what it looked like.
Read more.
September, 2010
Sidwell Friends School Features Dining
Team MG at Sidwell Friends describes how we work together to bring sustainable practices to life each day. Read more: The Green Cuisine at Sidwell Friends School.
August 11, 2010
Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden Rave Reviews
 Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, ties for 1st Place as Special Event Venue for the year in Richmond Magazine (Best and Worst of 2010).
More positive praise comes from a recent Reuters article "48 Hours in historic Richmond, Virginia:"
“11 a.m. - Take a break from history at the Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens where a large children's garden, complete with a tree house, provides a beautiful playground for the family. The orchid collection can be seen in the Conservatory. www.lewisginter.org
12 - Eat lunch in the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden’s Tea House where fresh ingredients transform a salad and the garden view nourishes the soul.”
May 31, 2010
Great Garnish: The Crowning Touch
 Marlene Delledera, MG Director of Dining at Virginia Episcopal School,
featured as an expert in food presentation.“The food is the main subject
and the garniture is the extra brush stroke—the crowning touch.”
Read more for Marlene’s tips to create the perfect food “portrait.”
April 22, 2010
Celebrating Earth Day
 On April 22, 2010, we joined people across the globe to celebrate our Earth.
We featured local foods and reduced meat menus to raise awareness about how our choices impact the environment.
Using local ingredients means we reduce long-distance trucking and increase support for local economies and small businesses. Being more mindful about our consumption of meat decreases the demand that drives “factory farming” which accounts for 1/5 of global greenhouse gasses (more than all forms of transportation, combined).
April 2010
Guilford College one of the Greenest Colleges in the Nation
The Princeton Review named Guilford College one of the most environmentally responsible college campuses in the country. In addition to progressive, sustainable projects like LEED certified building standards, water conservation, and solar thermal heating solutions, Guilford received recognition for their partnership with Meriwether Godsey through our joint efforts to create a more sustainable dining program, in particular our support of local products and our major composting operation. read more
March 23, 2010
MG Habitat Women Build Update
 November 21st seems like yesterday! What a joy to see this house become Toya’s new home. Thanks to the many hands that helped with this project. It was an honor for us to celebrate our 25th anniversary by participating in the Habitat for Humanity - Women Build Project. The house turned out great and the MG Family sends blessings Toya’s way as she and her children begin their new life in their home built with love!
February 8, 2010
"Pupils Prepped for Healthy Future"
 MG at St. Catherine's school has been featured on MeatlessMonday.com "We spoke with St. Catherine’s food director Cece Parrish, who offers a look at the connection between diet and education..." Read More
January 21,2010
MG Catering gets honors in “The Knot: Best of Weddings 2010"
 "We are proud to announce that Meriwether Godsey has been
rated by local brides and voted The Knot Best of Weddings 2010 Pick."
November 21, 2009
MG celebrates 25 Years by supporting Habitat for Humanity
Over 50 MG family members came out bright and early Saturday morning to partner with Habitat for Humanity to build a house and make it a home. Thanks to everyone for their support in our celebration, and most of all, GO TEAM MG!!
November 2009
Central Virginia Home magazine features an article by Kerry Giles, General Manager of the farmbasket
 A passion for creating something traditional in unexpected ways comes naturally for me. An affection for all things growing has led me to discover the many uses of plants, particularly in holiday decorating. You can make the most of nature’s gifts with an abundance of inspiring options without leaving your own backyard. A gracious garland, lush wreath or simple tablescape can be as easy as knowing what to cut and gather, and how to use it.
November 2009
Farmbasket featured in local Lynchburg publication of Lynchburg Living
(Natural) Tidings of Comfort and Joy
 "Tis the season for red and green and green, and more green. Using live greenery to spruce up your place certainly provides aromatic accents, but making it a family project can truly create great holiday memories. Here's how to make a tradition out of a simple walk in nature.
Deck the Halls with Boughs of Holly
The first step in creating a live wreath is to gather the elements. This may be the most fun for children. Call it a "nature hike" or an "exploring adventure" instead of "cutting greenery" to really pique their interest.
"A lot of these things [used to make a wreath] can be found outside their backdoor," said Katy Murray, Garden Manager of The farmbasket, where they have been creating custom-made Christmas wreaths for 15 years.
October 27, 2009
Farmbasket caters Breast Cancer Program at Pearson Cancer Center
 Approximately 70 women in Central Virginia attended a program on advancements in Breast Cancer sponsored by the Awareness Garden and Centra Health Foundation.
While there, they enjoyed fresh, local foods from Farmbasket our retail store that also provides daily lunches to many physicians and staff in the Centra community.
July 14, 2009
Sherri Meyer, MG Registered Dietitian shares her nutrition checklist in the July/August issue of Lynchburg Living
 How Healthy is Your Family?
By Amanda Southall
With the help of Sherri Meyer, Registered Dietitian for Meriwether-Godsey Group in Lynchburg,
here are a few easy tips for all ages that will help make over your health by making over your diet.
1) Plan for Good Nutrition.
2) Get Good Info.
3) Win Over Your Picky Eater.
4) Teach Healthy Habits for the Long Run.
July 10, 2009
Chef Mike Shea at The Summit is taking full advantage of this summer's bountiful growing season
 • Resident gardens are providing fabulous produce to supplement the menu;
• Another resident keeps a ready supply of fresh herbs for seasoning and garnishes;
• And to complete the cycle, the facility has a spot to compost in order to reduce what goes in the dumpster.
• Fresh, local and sustainable - The Summit Team is doing it each day!
June 12-14, 2009
MG Feeds the MS Bike Tour for third year in a row
 As 501 bikers in Charlottesville raised thousands of dollars by cycling
the hills we made sure they were fueled with meals and fluids on the
campus of The Miller School in Crozet, VA.
What do hungry bikers need? Baked potato bar, chili (including a vegetarian recipe),
cornbreads, grilled veggies, rice, baked pasta, green salads, and fresh fruit
(instead of processed sugar desserts) --- and hot breakfasts!
June 4, 2009
MG Caters Poplar Forest Benefit Dinner
MG catered to the stars (Robert Duvall, Connie Britton and Scott Cooper) once again at Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest.
Under tents and amid downpours, this black tie dinner was another hit.
see pictures
"Stars Shine at Poplar Forest Gala" by Susan Pugh
"Poplar Forest to play host to Hollywood A-listers" Lynchburg News & Advance
April 3, 2009
MG Chefs Participate as Judges in Student Cook-Off
 Denise Simmons our Corporate Executive Chef and Greg Retz, CEC,
our General Manager at Guilford College traveled to
Hampton Roads, VA to help inspire and educate young future chefs.
"Hampton Roads students compete in culinary cookoff" by Vicki Friedman
March 2009
PETA commends Sidwell Friends School
Sidwell Friends recognized as one of the nation's top 5 most vegetarian-friendly private schools.
February 27, 2009
MG Caters Awareness Garden Celebration
 At a private estate in Bedford County, MG helped the Awareness Garden celebrate its 5th anniversary
and further its mission of education, scholarship and preservation of the garden space.
This event was featured in Central Virginia Home Summer 2009 Magazine.
"Opening Your Doors to Fun and Fundraising" by Alison Cox
January 2009
The Obama Girls Start Sidwell Friends School
The fact that we provide the dining services to Sidwell Friends School in Washington, DC, is special in and of itself.
And in January, it drew a ton of attention when two girls with the last name Obama started school there.
"Wonder What The Obama Girls Are Having For Lunch?"
November 23, 2008
Obama Foodorama
 The First Daughters Maila, 10, and Sasha, 7 will attend Sidwell Friends School when family moves to Washington. Sidwell, founded in 1883, is a private Quaker school with a campus in northwest Washington for grades 5-12, and another in suburban Bethesda, Md., for kindergarten through fourth grade (Malia is in fifth grade, and Sasha is in second grade).
Read More From this Post
"Obama Girls to Attend Sidwell Friends School, Which Has a Model Lunch Program of Local, Organic Food & Environmental Stewardship"
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