The Farmplate Blog

Chicago Institutions to Increase Local Food Procurement
FarmPlate May 23, 2013 News 0 comments
We're excited to hear the news from FamilyFarmed.org that Midway Airport, McCormick Place and Chicago Public Schools are committed to increasing their local and sustainable food programs! Collectively these institutions serve over 1.5 million meals per day. McCormick Place will source 15% of its food from local and sustainable sources. Premier Restaurant Group, the foodservice provider at Midway Airport, will partner with FamilyFarmed.org and purchase up to 10% of its food from local and sustainable sources. The foodservice provider for Chicago Public Schools, Chartwells-Thompson Hospitality, has purchased more than $4.2 million in produce...
Humaneitarians Ditch Factory Farms But Keep The Meat
FarmPlate May 18, 2013 The Beat 0 comments
Once upon a time, there were carnivores and vegetarians, and they ruled the gastronomic globe. Either you ate meat or you didn’t; there were hardly any other choices. If you felt queasy about factory farms, you either opted out of meat altogether or you ate meat that didn’t match your morals.  But now, thanks to some creative thinking and a rise in small-scale farms, an eater can choose from a number of “third ways” of eating meat. They can be a flexitarian, a pesecetarian, or the latest “arian” to come on the scene:  a humaneitarian – a person who eats meat only if it’s been humanely raised. Humaneitarians are motivated by their concern for farm animals. They figure out what “...
RateBeer's Best Brewers In The World 2013
Kaitlin Haskins Mar 11, 2013 The Beat 1 comments
RateBeer, a worldwide consumer web site dedicated to craft beer and the craft beer culture, recently announced their 2013 list of the 100 best breweries in the world. We're awfully proud of the two Vermont contenders, Hill Farmstead Brewery and Lawson's Finest Liquids. New Hampshire was represented by Smuttynose Brewing Co, while California held 14 of the 100 slots. Michigan came in next with six of the best breweries.  Check out the full list of 100 top breweries to find the best brews near you!  After you do that, click here to browse FarmPlate's list of over 600 American craft breweries.  Cheers!  
The Story of Farm-to-Table at Lant Hill Farm B&B
Jenn Baumstein Feb 14, 2013 The Beat 0 comments
Don Previtali, the chef de cuisine at Lant Hill Farm Bed and Breakfast isn’t your average Washington County man. He didn't grow up in the area (which is abnormal for this upstate hamlet). His mother was Swiss and father was Italian. He was taught about biodynamic farming and whole systems planting, not as a student or at a traditional school, but was surrounded by it while growing up. Don raises Pinzgauer Cows, a heritage grass-fed breed from Austria which are endangered. Don drove the Argyle town school bus for 30 years, and has spent most of his adult life as a farrier (horse-shoeing). That being said, this farmer certainly knows enough about Washington County and the land he has...
What is Michelle Obama's Role in US Food Reform?
Kaitlin Haskins Feb 01, 2013 News 2 comments
We at FarmPlate are thrilled to have a first lady in The White House who cares enough about public health to make food a priority. She has made great strides over the past four years to put more nutritious food in schools, promote growing your own and encourage kids to be active. Do you think she's doing enough? Any suggestions for her next four years in DC? Just how much leverage does Michelle Obama have? Feel free to leave notes in the comment section below. Take Part has some thoughts on the matter. Check out this excerpt from an article on their website:  Food reform—specifically reducing the ballooning childhood obesity rate—was a priority of the First Lady and the President from...