In the last blog, we talked a little about buying locally, specifically focusing on purchasing locally grown produce. Today, I want to expand the Buy Local to restaurants and than next week to other Retail establishments.
So, how does Buying Locally apply to restuarants? It comes down to choosing where you eat out. Big box, national brand restaurants rarely (if ever) purchase their "raw ingredients" locally. National chains purchase ingredients (meat, produce, dairy, spice, etc) in bulk and than distribute them from central locations. The ingredients themselves are usually not purchased from small family farms, but from the larger, corporation farms. And again the food is being shipped all over the country using of course deisel fuel. Occasionally, small family farms can contract out with a National Chain to provide specific items. However, this food is not sent to the local branch of the chain, but put into the mix of nationally shipped ingredients.
This was really brought home last week when we had breakfast at a National Chain restaurant. We wanted to order some fresh, seasonal fruit. One of the breakfast menu selections offered bananas and fresh fruit (in season). So, we figured we could order some fruit "on the side" for a little extra. No bananas, their shipment hadn't arrived yet that day. My question (that I kept to myself) was when else did they expect to serve bananas except at breakfast. Afterall bananas are not your typical dinner fair. Anyway, so we asked for the fresh, seasonal fruit. No fruit. What! In the middle of Louisiana strawberry season there was no fresh fruit? Again, the truck had not yet arrived.
It got me to thinking as to what would have happened if we had breakfasted at a local Mom & Pop diner. Would we have had the same experience? I don't know for certain, but I don't think so. My experience with locally owned restaurants is that they typically have local ingredients on the menu. Sure, some if not most of their ingredients will come from large wholesale purveyors. But, occassionally and sometimes more than occasionally, locally grown and raised fare will be on the menu. In fact, I often see local restaurants purchasing locally grown produce at the Farmer's Market, so I know they are offering it on the menu.
So, after this experience, I have a new goal. I'm going to try to eat more at locally owned restaurants rather than the name brand, national ones. This way, I can occasionally know I'm eating produce, meat, or dairy that is grown or raised locally. I'm than supporting those local ranchers and farmers, who in turn put money back into the local economy. In fact, the locally owned restaurant is going to put more money back into the local economy than the big, national chain. So eat Louisiana crawfish at a local restaurant or BBQ at a local corner stand or a nice strawberry pie from a local diner. Chances are the ingredients will be fresh & local. And if there not? I'm still supporting a local family rather than a corporate board several states away.
OK, now that I made myself hungry, I think I need something to eat - like from the BBQ Shack just down the way.
