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Fresh Fork Market Provides Restaurants with Local-Grown Foods
Area fine-dining restaurants are embracing a new service that brings them garden-fresh, locally produced fruits and vegetables without damaging their bottom line. “The onions are so sweet they taste like candy,” enthused Molinari’s server Mindy Clause, explaining a smoked chicken and onion pizzette appetizer special to a customer on a recent evening.
Her boss, Molinari’s owner, Randal Johnson, is one of several area chefs working with Fresh Fork Market, a service aimed at connecting farmers with restaurateurs.
“We order two days before it’s delivered. It’s harvested and delivered within just a few hours,” said Johnson, who taste tests his shipment when it arrives.
Fresh Fork Market, which serves only restaurants, originated last year in a competition between eight Ohio schools at an entrepreneurship consortium.
“We won the challenge and went back to school to fine tune our ideas,” explained Trevor Clatterbuck, who graduated in the spring from Case Western Reserve University with a degree in business management. His classmates and partners in the effort are Bob Gavlak, supplier relations; Matt Suzugyi, operations manager; and Kyle Napierkowsi, bookkeeper.
The men designed a Web site and signed a couple of dozen farms to list their produce. Each farm describes its produce, including details like whether it’s organic, and has the option of adding photos of what they grow. The chefs order directly from the Web site or by phone. Their just-harvested orders are picked up from the farms by Fresh Fork vans and delivered to the restaurants three times a week. Fresh Fork keeps no inventory.
“I am a Fresh Fork fanatic,” said Richy Cunningham, chef at Sara’s Place in Gates Mills. “For a lot of reasons, people these days are much more interested in eating local and supporting the local economy. Our customers are loving it.”
Cunningham said he’s getting green beans, lettuce, eggplants and other items grown within 50 miles of his restaurant and harvested hours before being delivered.
More at link >> Area fine-dining restaurants are embracing a new service that brings them garden-fresh, locally produced fruits and vegetables without... more -
First organic fast food chain opens in Germany
Organic. Regional. Seasonal. Fast. Fine. Nat.
Yep, Nat.. We really don't understand the period, but we get the concept. "Nat." is the name of an organic fast food restaurant which has opened in Hamburg as the first of a planned chain of fast-food locales to be run by both the parent company and under franchise. The menu starts with soups and salads, for a strong vegetarian or vegan basis. Entree offers include burgers -- either beef, lamb or vegetarian; grilled chicken, steak or fish plates; and a selection of seasonal hot casserole or pasta dishes. Your conscience will wince at turning down the fruit salad in favor of the chili-chocolate cake. Could it compromise on a sweet waffle with berries? A kids' menu suits the younger pallet and keeps the family pocketbook in order.
Organic, Sustainable, Fair and Responsible
The menu is designed quarterly to emphasize regionally produced ingredients, all of which a certified organic. Where imports are used to spice up the menu, Nat. is committed to many products that are Fair Trade.
Growth Strategy for Organic Fast Food at Nat.
Nat. is striving to open several more locations in Hamburg before the end of the year, and to have at least five outlets in each of Germany's major cities: Hamburg, Munich, Frankfurt, Cologne, Berlin and in the industrial belt known as the Ruhrgebiet. The five-year-plan at Nat. envisions 16 company stores and 34 franchise locations. Expansion outside of Germany, into England, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Italy, Spain and Austria will meet the foreseen demand for wholesome, planet- and human-healthy meals.
Fast-food and to-go are booming in Germany. The organic trend which grows worldwide strengthens the core following which organic foods have long enjoyed there. So Nat. is a natural to be successful. Organic. Regional. Seasonal. Fast. Fine. Nat. ... more -
'Innocent' Smoothies accused over environmental marketing
Innocent Smoothies tells consumers on its website that "fruit always travels by boat or rail" because these methods use less fossil fuel than air or road transport per kilo of fruit. Customers are also told the drinks are produced in the UK. However, the Daily Telegraph can reveal that the drinks are blended on the continent before being driven in dozens of tanker lorries hundreds of miles across Europe for bottling in the UK...
...not so innocent now are they? Innocent Smoothies tells consumers on its website that "fruit always travels by boat or rail" because these methods use less... more -
Stranezze culinarie. Se non ti piacciono i piatti paga solo il vino.
A tavola non ci si inventa solamente i piatti ma anche una pubblicità capace di far arrivare clienti da ogni parte.
Un ristorante piemontese, con uno chef di grido e prelibatezze della tradizione piemontese con interventi francesi, ha pensato una iniziativa che farà discutere.
Fino al 20 settembre saranno i clienti a determinare il prezzo del menù in base alla propria soddisfazione e a pagare quel prezzo.
L'idea è stata presa da un altro famoso ristorante, a Poole, vicino Londra dove i clienti si sono divertiti a inventarsi un prezzario a deliziosi piatti.
La formula sarà applicata solamente a cena e, avvisano gli ideatori dell'iniziativa, escluderanno le bevande che manterranno i prezzi di listino.
Chi riuscirà a dire la cifra più bassa senza offendere lo chef? A tavola non ci si inventa solamente i piatti ma anche una pubblicità capace di far arrivare clienti da ogni parte. ... more -
Restaurant (San Francisco) adapts to rice prices
Interview / The Slanted Door owner, remaining positive about adapting to the price of rice.
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The high cost of imported rice is leading restaurants to reconsider their options. Think Texas popcorn instead of Thai Jasmine. Stacey Delo interviews San Francisco's Charles Phan of The Slanted Door about how rising costs are affecting his menu. Interview / The Slanted Door owner, remaining positive about adapting to the price of rice. - ... more -
What multi-national corporation makes your organic food?
Of course, to those of you who have been keeping up with Michael Pollan's books will already know this.
http://www.michaelpollan.com/omnivore.php Of course, to those of you who have been keeping up with Michael Pollan's books will already know this. ... more -
Eating green requires all brains on deck!
Yesterday, NPR's Here & Now program hosted author James McWilliams, to talk about "locavores" (it's the 2007 Word of the Year, after all) and some of the ins and outs of food miles vs. life cycle as a way to measure the impact of your eating choices. The gist: sometimes, it takes more energy to grow and harvest local food than it does to grow it far away and have it shipped in, e.g. if you're trying to reduce your carbon footprint, local food isn't always the best choice.
Though this isn't the first time we've discussed this idea, the whole segment is worth a listen. If you're looking for one takeaway, it should probably be this: there is no silver bullet, no one right way to consume food, all the time. Food miles, seasonality and energy inputs (was that chicken raised on grass pasture or fed engineered slop in a cage?) are all important considerations when sourcing your food; eating green is not about putting the blinders on to "eat local" at all costs, or "eat organic," or any other eating buzzword. Eating green is a lifestyle, a mindful way to approach how you fuel yourself without requiring too much fuel from the planet. ::Here & Now Yesterday, NPR's Here & Now program hosted author James McWilliams, to talk about "locavores" (it's the 2007 W... more -
Going Big box vs. Going Local
What are the effects of our shopping? That big box chain may seem convenient, but is it? How much is all of our shopping costing us ? and the planet? This great new film by Amy Wolf, a film fellow for the Movement Vision Lab, gives us the chance to step back and re-think how we buy what we buy and why! What are the effects of our shopping? That big box chain may seem convenient, but is it? How much is all of our shopping costing us ? ... more
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A Little Piece of Land
In South Los Angeles, a 14 acre urban farm is in danger of being bulldozed. The South Central Farmers talk about the connection between the land and the people of this mostly Mexicano community. In South Los Angeles, a 14 acre urban farm is in danger of being bulldozed. The South Central Farmers talk about the connection betwe... more
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Local coffee shop prepares for its final brew
A neighborhood cafe in Boston's North End is forced to shut its doors after not being able to afford the high rent. Is this because Starbucks is taking away from the local coffee shops' business? A neighborhood cafe in Boston's North End is forced to shut its doors after not being able to afford the high rent. Is this beca... more
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Do you know where your turkey came from?
When you have supermarket-bought Thanksgiving dinner, it can be from anywhere. But, more and more people have food concerns and they want to eat healthier. So, they buy locally grown produce, and they support local farmers. SO, where did your Thanksgiving turkey come from? When you have supermarket-bought Thanksgiving dinner, it can be from anywhere. But, more and more people have food concerns and they ... more
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Permaculture 101
Permaculture expert Penny Livingston-Stark shows how natural systems can teach us better design practices. Learning to work with the earth not only creates a healthier environment, it also nourishes the people who live in it. Permaculture expert Penny Livingston-Stark shows how natural systems can teach us better design practices. Learning to work with the e... more
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The New Fountain of Youth! All natural! Fantastic!
Unbelievable cure-all! Reverse Aging! Eliminate ailments and pain! Look and feel years younger! Stop smoking! Get rid of Arthritis, back pain, headaches, and so much more!! This all natural 'Berry' Juice is the answer!
http://www.mymonavie.com/lorrie727
LORRIE WILLIAMS.NET... Unbelievable cure-all! Reverse Aging! Eliminate ailments and pain! Look and feel years younger! Stop smoking! Get rid of Arthritis, ba... more -
Future Farming Now
Thirty miles north of New York City, in the small village of Mount Kisco, is a farm that promises to revolutionize the agriculture industry. Find out why there may be no need for farms to use toxic pesticides and fertilizers in the future, and learn how you can help foster change. Thirty miles north of New York City, in the small village of Mount Kisco, is a farm that promises to revolutionize the agriculture ind... more
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Federal Bill Props Up Megafarms
Why is it important that we keep small farmers up and running? Think about this: what if one corporation held a monopoly on food production in the US? What if your tax dollars were used to set it up that way? Why is it important that we keep small farmers up and running? Think about this: what if one corporation held a monopoly on food produ... more
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Supervisors deny Starbucks permit for new S.F. store
Thank you very much! We already have 80 - yes 80 Starbucks in San Francisco.
Starbucks' effort to flood San Francisco with coffee shops ground to a halt Tuesday when the Board of Supervisors blocked a new outlet in the Richmond District under chain store regulations passed by voters last fall.The board voted 9-1 to overturn the Planning Commission's June approval of a Starbucks at the corner of Geary Boulevard and Fifth Avenue, killing the proposal. Thank you very much! We already have 80 - yes 80 Starbucks in San Francisco. ... more -
San Francisco's Best Ice Cream
Ok, this seems to always come up in office conversations. Who has the best <fill in the blank> in the city? We were discussing ice cream. The first, most obvious and really only answer to this question is Michell's. We all know Mitchell's is the best. Period. Is it worth the wait and fighting through throngs of people outside? Yes. Is it worth driving and looking for a parking spot and avoiding the double parked cars on the street? Yes.Are there other worthy contenders? Of course. Bi-Rite Creamery is pretty darn tasty...but not as good as Mitchell's. Where do you stand on the Mitchell's debate? Ok, this seems to always come up in office conversations. Who has the best <fill in the blank> in the city? We were discussing i... more
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Java House may not be long for the waterfront...
The implications of the proposed rent hike is a shame. We need our Java House!
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California Cuisine with an emphasis on local, seasonal ingredients
Great food, location and views. A must try. Make it a weekend get-away and stay at the Hotel Los Gatos & Spa (which taunts a pretty good Greek restaurant of its own): http://www.jdvhotels.com/los_gatos/ Great food, location and views. A must try. Make it a weekend get-away and stay at the Hotel Los Gatos & Spa (which taunts a prett... more
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Ban Junk Food At Current!
This may sound cliche' and preachy, but it's true: studies have linked these snacks (the very ones in the cafe drawers) to obesity, diabetes, violence. There's a GOOD reason that California has banned the sale junk food at all schools.
I tried to subvert the dominant paradigm last year and have our snacks switched to no avail, so I thought I'd make another attempt at a Snack Food Revolution. I mean, how can such a progressive company like Current support such nutritionally-harmful companies (Pepsico, Frito-Lay, Hershey's, etc) by purchasing loads of these unhealthy snacks?? We might as well put a bucket of sugar and a salt lick in the cafe' :) Do you like, or eat, the current snacks? Or do you want something healthier? ??! Speak up! This may sound cliche' and preachy, but it's true: studies have linked these snacks (the very ones in the cafe drawers) to o... more
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Local Food
