The city of Madison is excited to introduce Madison Meet and Eat, a unique neighborhood event that brings a collective of local Madison's food cart vendors to a neighborhood and encourages friends and neighbors to enjoy a fun night out. This event will take place over four consecutive weeks on Thursday evenings from 5:00p.m. - 7:30p.m. starting July 12th and continuing on July 19th, July 26th, and August 2nd. The location for the 2012 Madison Meet & Eat events will be the parking lot adjacent to the Meadowood Shopping Center at 5800 Raymond Road.

Madison Meet & Eat is a new initiative by Madison Mayor Paul Soglin to bring together community members and local food vendors in order to address "food deserts." A food desert is defined as an area where healthy, affordable food is difficult to obtain. Madison Meet & Eat will address this issue by introducing attendees to new and local food options in a fun, neighborhood atmosphere.

"There are many wonderful food carts that mainly serve the downtown and campus population during the day," said Madison Mayor Paul Soglin. "Madison Meet & Eat is a great opportunity to take the vendors to the people so families and neighbors are able to get together and try different cuisine. I plan to be there, and hope many Madisonians are as well."

The plan for Madison Meet & Eat is to become an annual, summer event that rotates around to different locations in Madison. This will allow other neighborhoods to experience healthy, local affordable food and help foster a greater sense of community. Attendees are encouraged to bring family members, friends, and neighbors to this great event. The Meadowood Neighborhood Center will remain open during the Madison Meet & Eat.

The food vendors at the Meadowood events will be:
-Banzo
-Caracas Empanadas
-Luangprabang
-Teriyaki Samurai
-Electric Earth
-Ernies Kettle Korn
-Natural Juice
-Wei's Food to Go
-FIBs
-Hibachi Hut
-Tea Garden

Bring a friend and head down to the Madison Meet & Eat some tasty, affordable, local food!

Parking is limited so participants are encouraged to walk, bike or bus to the event.