Getting Local Food, Locally Part II: Chipotle

Chipotle is a chain of Mexican Style fast food restaurants in the United States – and they don’t buy their pork from factory farms. That is only the start! While they are not 100% organic or sustainable yet, they have a fantastic “Food With Integrity” philosophy which includes “unprocessed, seasonal, family-farmed, sustainable, nutritious, naturally raised, added hormone free, organic, and artisanal” foods.

There is a great Nightline Segment from 6/16/09 all about this Chipotle philosophy with a cameo from Joel of Polyface Farms.

The craziest thing about all this is that I have not yet been to this restaurant! Fortunately, we have two in San Francisco. We sent an email to Chipotle asking about their produce and rice as this is not discussed on their website as much as their meat and beans. They sent us a great response!

“We have currently committed to buying 35 percent of one bulk produce item for all of our restaurants, when seasonally available, from local farmers. We’re looking to build on this program for the future. Last year, when we began the program, we sourced 25 percent of one bulk produce item used in each store from a local farm. This year we have upped our goals to 35 percent so we are making some progress.

We need a lot of ingredients. Unfortunately these better suppliers are more of a niche than a mainstream. Our plan is just to start small, just as we did with our naturally-raised meats, and to grow the program from there as supply increases to meet demand.

With our program, our produce is generally coming from within 200 miles or less of our restaurants. This might also be on a seasonal basis. As you might be able to imagine, it would be quite a challenge to buy certain items, such as romaine lettuce in Minneapolis, in the middle of the winter.

Unfortunately, I cannot give you specifics for rice, lettuce or tomatoes as different restaurant are focusing on different things that will work better for that region. However, we are really focused on making a difference. As part of our Food with Integrity initiative, we are trying to operate our restaurants in a manner which is better for the environment, better for the animals, and better for the farmers who raise the animals and grow the produce. We also happen to think fresh food tastes better. In this way, we hope it is also better for our customers.”

www.chipotle.com

Spotlight: Ferry Plaza Farmers’ Market: A Photo Story

Though the farmers’ market I usually shop at is the Heart of the City, I stop by the Ferry Plaza a few times a year. This is not so much for the produce, as I find that the fruit and vegetables at the Heart of the City are quite fabulous and much less expensive, but for the items that are harder to find, The Ferry Plaza Market is great!

Since today was such a lovely San Francisco day, I decided to head out early to see if I could get to some of the market goodies that tend to vanish before 10am, beat the lunch crowd and take some photos.

I am also starting to keep a list of the farms that I learn about and how far they are from San Francisco. To see a map of North California farms that travel to or sell in San Francisco markets click here: Northern California Farms

http://www.massaorganics.com/ Chico, California

Massa Organics

I have been a fan of Massa Organics since I first encountered them. They are one of the few grain producers in the area (currently brown rice and red wheat berries) and their almonds are wonderful too! You can even follow them on twitter now @MassaOrganics and get updates direct from the tractor. Which, if you are an agro-nerd like me, will make you giddy. But maybe that is just me. ..

Getting local food, locally. Part I. Cafe Divine

I’ve been seeking out local restaurants that provide information about using local, seasonal produce. I hope that one day I will have a long list of restaurants to recommend, but for the time being. I intend to mention establishments as I have the opportunity to experience them.

Cafe Divine – North Beach, San Francisco http://cafedivinesf.com/

According to the Cafe Divine menu: “We Support Small Farmers And Use Sustainable Products Whenever Possible.” Situated at the corner of Washington Park in North Beach, Cafe Divine has big windows and a comfy, somewhat artsy, coffee shop feel. The service is pretty good (but not great) but the food is very good and fresh and a decent price. I was a bit disappointed the first time I ate at this restaurant. I believe we had brunch, something like an omelet with a fruit bowl. It was in the winter; the time of apples, pears and oranges in the bay area, but my fruit bowl was still full of out-of-season melon balls – even though the display case was full of the season fruit I mentioned.  It’s also a bit sad that they don’t feel confident enough to proudly advertise their support of local agriculture on their website (it’s only on a scan of their menu) but at least they do mention it.

May Food Events

Below are events that I find both interesting as well as likely to attend!

Urban Farming Basics: Grow Your Own Food Session 1 May 2nd 2-5pm: http://events.kqed.org/events/index.php?com=detail&eID=6318

Urban Farming Basics: Grow Your Own Food Session 2 May 9th 2-6pm: http://www.bapd.org/n0976.html

Michael Pollan: Deep Agriculture May 5th 7pm: http://www.longnow.org/projects/seminars/

Tomales Bay Oyster Company &
Straus Organic Dairy 5/14, 7/16, 8/20: http://www.malt.org/programs/index.php#may

An interesting discussion about being “Green”

The Fur Council of Canada has recently started a new campaign called “Fur is Green!” I am really quite torn about this idea simply because I believe that if we are to kill animals for food, we should be doing our best to ensure that they are treated as well as possible during their life and use as much as possible of the animal and avoid any waste. I have personally never been against the use of leather as it tends to come from animals that are also part of the food supply, but fur often comes from animals that are not used for anything else.

Some are protesting this campaign and I am curious to see what the outcome is.

Fur is Green! Campaign
http://www.furcouncil.com/furisgreen.aspx

Matt & Nat: Speak Out Against Fur
http://blog.mattandnat.com/?p=161

California: LGBT Farmworker Discrimination

Fri, Mar 27, 2009

The California Report Magazine -  LGBT Farmworker Discrimination

“Many California farmworkers are so desperate to keep their jobs that they rarely complain when there’s a problem at work. When those farmworkers are gay, lesbian or transgender, they may face harassment or even earn less pay because of their sexual orientation. Now, a new project is helping them learn about their rights under California law.”

The whole show available in both MP3 and RealMedia:
http://www.californiareport.org/archive.jsp?date=20090327

The segment available in RealMedia only:
http://www.californiareport.org/archive/R903271630/c

Kitchen Garden at the White House

“First lady Michelle Obama is scheduled to break ground Friday on a new garden near the fountain on the South Lawn that will supply the White House kitchen.”

Great news! I am still working on my own kitchen garden and it is good to see such a high profile garden!

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090319/ap_on_go_pr_wh/white_house_garden

Whopper Virgins Remixed

Farmers and Food Advocates Urge Obama to Create a National Sustainable Food and Agricultural Policy

DemocracyNow.org
War and Peace Report

“A group of farmers, chefs and policy advocates called “Food Democracy Now” have submitted a letter to Obama’s transition team urging him to take on industrialized agriculture and promote a more sustainable policy. The letter urges the President-elect to nominate a Secretary of Agriculture who will advocate for independent family farms, nutrition, environmental protection, food workers’ rights and animal welfare.”

Read/Hear/See More Here

Also check out Food Democracy Now to sign the letter to Mr. Obama!

http://www.fooddemocracynow.org/

Alternative Christmas

Here are some links for those of us interested in a less consumer-driven holiday season…

http://www.buynothingchristmas.org/

http://www.redefine-christmas.org/

http://free-christmas.org/

http://www.pinkchristmas.org/

Happy Holidays! May they be full of love, companions and compassion!

Have you heard of the Right Livelihood Awards?

This morning I was listening to DemocracyNow.org’s War and Peace Report and heard that the founder and host, Amy Goodman, was broadcasting from Sweden as she is being given a Right Livelihood Award.

What a fabulous idea.

Learn more here: http://www.rightlivelihood.org/

Struggling Illinois Farmer’s Hard Choice Cuts Deep

by Ketzel Levine
NPR

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=97749721

Feeding a World in Crisis

NPR Weekend Edition Saturday, December 6, 2008 · For the United Nations’ World Food Program, it’s never easy trying to feed the world’s hungry. But in times of soaring prices and global financial crisis, the business of getting food to those who need it most becomes an even more daunting task.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=97905044

Reporter’s Notes: Food Safety

Reporter’s Notes: Food Safety

“Here’s another item for President-Elect Barack Obama’s to-do list when he takes office in January: food safety. Especially imported foods. Recent scares over melamine-laced cookies from China and salmonella-tainted Mexican jalapenos have raised stark questions: Who’s monitoring the safety of imported food? And does the system work?”

http://www.kqed.org/quest/radio/food-safety

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Buy Nothing Day 2008

Brought to you by the Church of Stop Shopping

Check them out in the film What Would Jesus Buy.

Buy Nothing Day 2008: Dance Your Debt Away!

Free dance party at Union Square

Friday, November 28, 2008 3:00pm – 5:30pm

FREE
Take the L, N, R, W, Q, 4, 5, 6 trains to Union Square
Phone Contact: 917-825-3562
Email Contact: Michael@revbilly.com
Website: http://www.revbilly.com

Liberate your inner shopaholic from the excesses of holiday consumption and come boogie down instead! The day after Thanksgiving is the biggest shopping day of the year to some, but since 1997 it’s also “Buy Nothing Day”, a chance to escape the packed malls and aggressive advertising. So give your credit card a rest and put your rhythm to work by joining Reverend Billy and the Church of Stop Shopping for a free dance party at Union Square. Receive a special blessing (or exorcism) from the Rev for a “Debt Free Christmas!” Music makers and holiday costumes encouraged, all ages welcome! On Saturday you’ll be singing “Last Night A DJ Saved My Mortgage.”

Location

Union Square

New York, NY

http://www.revbilly.com/events/buy-nothing-day-2008-dance-your-debt-away

Eaten by the Chronophage

It’s been months since I’ve written anything of any interest, and much has happened: Slow Food Nation, an unexpected move, the presidential election and the Green Fest. All of which I will touch on at some point in this post. It’s been a tumultuous 3 months and I now feel that I am finally settling down a bit and after some periods of stress and worry, disappointment and disillusionment, I am now feeling hopeful and more inspired. Thank goodness.

Fleet Week 2008 – A Great Way to Reduce Military Spending and Fossil Fuel Consumption!

If you missed the post last year – read it here.

“A thought popped into my head today, October 4th, the first day of Fleet Week 2007 and my 32nd birthday: Why are we still having Fleet Week? Why do we continue to have air shows at all? In today’s world, when we complain about military budgets and our dependence on fossil fuels, why are we still having events all around the country, all around the world, where military personnel and various crafts and vessels are transported from place to place, flying and sailing around causing much air and noise pollution? It just doesn’t make any sense to me.”

Talk Like a Pirate, Walk Like a Human Being

Tomorrow is International Talk Like a Pirate Day. It’s difficult for me to express just how much this day bothers me. But before I get into any detail, let me be clear that it is not just this day that annoys me, it’s really Flash Mobs that get me going. To me, Talk Like a Pirate Day is just a regularly scheduled flash mob.

Now, you might be asking yourself “What on earth is her problem? What could she possibly find so wrong with this that she feels the need to write about it?” Well, that is a very good question.

It is not that I have any problems with people getting together and having fun and being silly. I am all for it! But I’ve noticed that it often seems easier to get people together to just have fun and be silly than to build awareness or do something for the greater good.

My suggestion? Collect a dime every time you hear someone say “AARRRRGH” or “Aye” tomorrow and give it to your favorite charity. Or have Pirates for Peace! or something like that. Yes, I know, this is a bit of a rant. But I feel like there’s a valid point behind it.

In order for our world to really change, I firmly believe that we need to incorporate different ways of living and thinking into our every day lives. Sure! Go ahead and have fun, but do something good for the world too.

And yes, I know, this is totally possible. It has to start somewhere. Maybe I’ll do something about it. Activist Pirate t-shirt with proceeds going to an ocean clean up effort? Maybe! Check back next year!

The Search for Local Food: Roy’s Restaurant

A few months ago I started doing some research online hoping to find Bay Area restaurants that supported local agriculture and had seasonal menus. One of the restaurants that I found in my search was Roy’s, located in the Soma neighborhood of San Francisco.  With phrases like “a tempting combination of exotic flavors and spices mixed with the freshest of local ingredients” on their website, I was looking forward to seeing what the place had to offer.

Now if I had truly done my research, instead of having just a brief look on their website weeks ago, I would have noticed a couple of things.

1. Roy’s is a chain with multiple locations in 10 different states.
2. Their menu is decidedly more exotic than local.

I did not look at the menu until we were seated. The only vegetarian option on the entire menu was a green salad.  When asked, our server (who I will talk about in detail later) presented me with a completely separate menu for vegetarian dishes. I thought it was a bit strange that this menu was not automatically presented, but it was a pretty nice menu.

First, we ordered the Ponzi Pinot Gris from Oregon. A lovely crisp wine that went well with all of our dishes.

For appetizers, we had a very interesting Kobe Beef wrapped around Dynamite Crab, Tempura Asparagus & Avocado and (from the vegetarian menu) a Wild Mushroom and Truffle Risotto. The risotto had shredded shiso leaves which gave it an amazing flavor.

My Entree was the Sea Scallops with Purple Potato Gnocchi and my S.O. got the Monkfish with vegetables in a curry sauce. This is where things got a bit weird. Though visually stunning and cooked to perfection, the flavors of both dishes seemed a bit confused. The scallops were wonderful and the gnocchi as well but they did not seem to work together as well as I had hoped. The monkfish in curry sauce was very nice, but the vegetables seemed to makes no sense at all.

The desert – a chocolate souffle – was wonderful.

The one really good thing I can say about this restaurant was that the service was amazing. Our server immediately told us that he helped with the wine selection and would answer any questions we had about any of their menus. I asked him if they had any local produce, meats or fish. The non “exotic” produce was local, but none of the meat or fish on the menu. I also asked him a couple of times if he could find out what some of the ingredients were and was happy to do so. The staff was very attentive, friendly and professional without being pushy. A+ on that!

So, based on the flavor of dishes, the variety of local food available and the service, I give Roy’s 3 Purkle Stars. I would visit this place again, but not on a regular basis! It is a bit too expensive, too confused and has a high carbon footprint – even for a restaurant.

http://www.roysrestaurant.com/

August 30th, 2008 – International Day of the Disappeared

Amnesty International USA
25 years remembering the disappeared

Jorge Alberto Rosal Paz “disappeared” in Guatemala on 12 August 1983. The 28-year-old agronomist was kidnapped by armed military personnel in a jeep, while driving between Teculutan and Zacapa. He was never seen again.

When he “disappeared”, Jorge Rosal was married with a daughter. His wife was expecting their second child. It is believed he had no political or religious affiliations. Despite reported sightings of him in detention after his kidnapping, the Guatemalan authorities denied all knowledge of what had happened.

Jorge’s family took his case to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. In 2000, the Guatemalan State issued a statement acknowledging its institutional responsibility in Jorge Rosal’s case and others. In 2004, a friendly settlement was agreed between the State and Jorge Rosal’s family.

Jorge Rosal is just one of hundreds of thousands of people who have been victims of enforced disappearances around the world in the past 25 years. And hundreds of thousands of family members and friends are still left without any knowledge of their fate. They will all be remembered on Saturday 30 August, on the 25th anniversary of the International Day of the Disappeared.

Read full story @ http://www.amnestyusa.org/document.php?id=ENGNAU200808295834&lang=e