The ever-popular Dine Downtown Restaurant Week is back and there’s more than one reason to participate.
Nearly 30 of downtown’s finest restaurants will take part in the 10-day event by preparing a special 3-course dinner menu for only $31. As if experiencing the best of the city’s culinary offerings isn’t enough, the event also supports our city in a big way and–new this year–food literacy in California.
According to Kachet Jackson-Henderson, Marketing Manager for the Downtown Sacramento Partnership and an organizer of the event, Dine Downtown returns annually both because it is well-loved by Sacramentans and because it supports the city by “getting people to spend more time downtown…and to enjoy all the city has to offer.”
During the event’s span from January 8th to January 17th, participating restaurants benefit from the boost in table-traffic. And they’re not the only ones. Neighboring bars, theaters, and businesses also benefit from the increased attraction to the area. As a result, Jackson-Henderson says the annual event is estimated to generate an astounding $1 million in sales and parking for the city.
Dine Downtown also benefits food literacy in California. How? Notice the extra dollar on the usual $30 price tag? For the first time this year, $1 of every meal goes to the California Food Literacy Center, a nonprofit that aims to educate kids and parents about the food they eat. Kids participating in the program go home with groceries, recipes, basic cooking skills, and a newfound knowledge of how to create a healthy future.
Jackson-Henderson emphasized her excitement for supporting the California Food Literacy Center, citing that with nearly 40% of Sacramento area’s children being obese, it is now more important than ever to arm them with the tools they need to make wise food choices. She praised Amber Scott, the founder of the program, for “work[ing] tirelessly to educate kids about where their food comes from and why it’s good for them.”
“We are 100% behind her mission,” she continued.
All participating Dine Downtown restaurants are also behind Scott’s mission, with 100% in glad support of adding the extra dollar to help promote food education in our community.
For further information about Dine Downtown and a list of restaurants participating (and their amazing menus!), visit the Downtown Sacramento Partnership’s website. Reservations are recommended.
