The Farmplate Blog

New Study Aims to Help Connect Rural Food Systems
Jeff Gangemi Feb 02, 2012 News Fare 0 comments
Even though urban food systems typically require at least some supply to come from farms and producers outside of city limits, what about those producers outside of those food systems? The ones deep in the country? A new study being conducted by the University of Missouri Extension and the University of Nebraska aims to formulate methodologies to develop more vibrant markets for those rural farmers. The study will target regions like the northern Ozarks, and it will be geared toward creating easier and smoother relationships between farmers and buyers. The research is funded through a grant from the USDA's Agriculture and Food Research Initiative fund. We look forward to learning the...
Sustainable Food Mecca Stone Barns Beckons to New Yorkers
Jeff Gangemi Feb 01, 2012 Field Digs 0 comments
Everyone knows that New York City has long been home to a diverse and thriving food culture, with growing numbers of artisan food producers, urban farms, and locavore-friendly restaurants.  But for those looking for a glimpse of fertile land unfettered by the trappings of the big city, there is a sustainable food and farming mecca just 25 miles north of Manhattan. Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture is a non-profit farm and education center that grows over 200 varieties of produce year-round. Farmers there also raise laying hens, broiler chickens, turkeys, geese, sheep, pigs and bees. It's already relatively well-known, but we at FarmPlate wanted to give them a plug for the...
It Is Possible to Eat Local Year-Round, Even During the Winter
Jeff Gangemi Jan 30, 2012 Real Food 0 comments
A great piece on NorthJersey.com offers all sorts of advice for those of us mourning the decreased connection to our food during the winter months.  Elisa Ung, the Record’s restaurant reviewer, encourages readers to seek out a local winter farmers’ market and connect with their nearby Slow Food chapter. And instead of succumbing to the winter doldrums, it’s important to focus on finding sources of local eggs, meat, and seafood (click the links to search in your area). Even if you don’t have the time, surely some of the great local farm-to-table chefs do. Of course, we think the easiest way to find great local food is to search FarmPlate.com.   Here are a few of the specific...
Food Justice, Social Ideals & Beautiful Design – Not Your Average Corner Store
Jeff Gangemi Jan 27, 2012 News Fare 0 comments
Brother and sister Allison and Alphonzo Cross were recently highlighted in a great interview in Grist. In the interview, the siblings describe how they decided to open an extraordinary corner store – one that sells local and sustainable fare – in a rapidly changing neighborhood of Atlanta. The Boxcar Grocer just opened this week, and though the community has been supportive of the Cross’ endeavor, the journey taken by these two food movement newbies was anything but easy. Allison and Alphonzo faced a number of challenges during the two years it took to realize their vision. Banks weren’t lending, food movement insiders were dismissive, and it took lots of legwork to find the best...
These Days, Even Dogs are Eating Local
Jeff Gangemi Jan 25, 2012 News Fare 0 comments
For many dog owners, man’s best friend is fast becoming a true member of the family. Now there are businesses that — quite literally — cater to them.  From raw grass-fed beef produced by Minnesota-based Thousand Hills Cattle Company to dog food made locally with Ferndale Market free-range turkey to gluten-free treats, all the way to doggie ice cream, a fun piece from The Twin Cities Daily Planet describes how the locavore movement has crossed over to our canine companions. Read on for more, and search FarmPlate for local and sustainable pet food in your area. For other doggie things on FarmPlate, click here.    “There’s no denying that the locavore movement is...