Localvores in Massachusetts?
Localvores, or locavores, depending on the source you consult, are growing in numbers and starting a movement that is intriguing to me. A localvore is someone who consumes food that is all, or mostly, obtained from local sources – i.e. produce from a local farm or farmer’s market. What are the benefits to being a localvore? Many, according to its proponents. Eating locally helps to support local farmers, helps the local economy, and is a “greener” way of eating (you can reduce your carbon footprint by eating an apple from a local farmer’s market rather than a banana that had to be shipped from another country). Furthermore, the food that you are eating is fresher, and thus, should taste better.
A few local restaurants serve food based on this premise, perhaps most noteably Gilson’s Herb Lyceum in Groton, MA. They don’t receive a lot of press, but what they do receive is positive. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, either, as one of the owners’ sons is the chef at Garden at the Cellar in Cambridge. The two restaurants are very different in scope but share a desire to serve locally acquired food. I have yet to try either, but am eager to try both.
People are showing a general interest in learning where their food comes from, as evidenced by television shows like How’d That Get on My Plate with Sunny Anderson. Many chefs on Bravo’s Top Chef state a commitment to serving food that is in season and derived from local farms and other sources. On a recent episode, the chefs went to a farm to learn about the livestock, chickens, and produce so that they could serve the farmers farm-fresh dishes.
I love the idea of eating as a localvore, but I have to admit that the time and money needed to eat in this way feels extremely restrictive. In addition, many of the foods I love aren’t in season for much of the year in New England. Localvores seem to be in short in Massachusetts in general, although the numbers in New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine do seem to be growing. I look forward to learning more about this movement and seeing if and how retailers respond.
http://www.gardenatthecellar.com/home/
http://www.gilsonslyceum.com/herbal_dining.html
http://www.massfarmersmarkets.org/
Tags: garden at the cellar cambridge, groton herb lyceum, Localvores, locavores, massachusetts farmers markets
http://www.localharvest.org/ is a source for finding restaurants that feature local foods (to varying degrees) Just find “restaurants” in the search menu and plug in the state or zip code of interest.
Hi there,
I’m an avid home cook who has volunteered with Operation Frontline (OFL) from time to time. I am writing you because you came to my attention as a food blogger in Massachusetts. I too blog at http://mothermayhave.com.
This year, as in prior years, OFL has held bake sales around the country to raise money for the eradication of childhood hunger in the U.S. I am wondering if you’d be willing to be a part of this! Thus far no exact date, time and place has been set. The sale will be held somewhere at some time during the April 16 – 18 weekend.
Let me know if you’re at least interested and we can go from there. Thanks in advance for your participation!
Blessings,
Kathy-Ann