buyCTgrown.com
I work in the restaurant industry and the current trend is toward buying local - organically grown fruit & vegetables, farm raised meat & poultry, fish from nearby shores and cottage industry dairy products including eggs, milk and goat cheeses from area farms. There's also local bee keepers and their honey, artisan bakeries and maple syrup from the forests we hike through. More and more, local chefs are designing their menus around what's available and what's in season, in their own back yards - mine, of course, being Connecticut.I've just discovered buyCTgrown.com, a website with a comprehensive list of local resources, including farms, markets and restaurants. It provides a map with photos, bio, directions and web links. No need to be a professional chef - fresh, organic products are available to us all.
So take a Sunday drive in the country - and do your grocery shopping!
Sam Hammer Holcomb Farm, West Granby
Known for buying local:
Chef Jason Collin
Firebox Restaurant, Hartford
Chef Christopher Prosperi
Metro Bis, Simsbury
Still River Cafe, Eastford
Chef Kara Brook's Carrot Cupcakes
Comments
I'd like a cupcake, please
Diva - sorry, I already ate the cupcake ;-)
RD - I know that you Pacific Northwesters have been earthy/crunchy for years and are way ahead of us.
Connecticut markets are wonderful. Shopping local helps local farms and brings the best produce to the table. Here's a list of CT farmers' markets:
Farmers' Markets
I was going to ask for that cupcake, but I see from a comment above that you've already eaten it. Phooey!
Today I pick-up my first CSA share from Bristol's Organic farm in Canton. I can't wait for the challenge to discover how to prepare lots of different veggies out of my norm (carrots and green beans ;) )
Off topic... Marie Louise is a family name on my dad's side. There have been quite a few colorful ML's in my history.
Marie Louise is a French name - is your dad French or perhaps Canadian?
Harriet - I'll have to get some of these cupcakes as everyone is lusting after them. Not sure how well they'll travel though...
The cupcake looks delicious and I see that you did eat it! Good!!
Wonderfully chic looking places to dine.
A restaurant in Louisville is opening next door to me that specializes in Kentucky Grown. I can't wait! It's a Good Thing!
Can't believe you saw Eric live!
My dream, but he never comes around here :(
Thanks for visiting my blog,
nice place here and best of luck with your new quest!!!
Hello Everyone! Thanks for stopping by my blog. Sounds like we should all have one big picnic! I am so happy the summer season is here. I barely eat a tomato all winter long - definitely looking forward to home grown produce like the rest of you.
Robin - typical of you to have wine tip of mind! (was actually saving that topic for it's own post - you always beat me to it!)
Chuck
enjoy your local organic produce (i should be so lucky to be able to get that here!)! and all the best on finding ways to feed your soul...you're doing pretty well, i think!
Your comments that you left for me were so inspiring.. I had heard that 40 was going to be a great age, but I guess you have to live it to know it... And I tell you, it is good.. Kayce
The family had a stage in their living room. Pople came from all around to see the Mirons perform.
Marie Louise performed all over New England singing and acting with her father who spent time on Broadway.
Marie Louise's brother Cap't Joe dressed like a pirate and hung out with the likes of Hemmingway and a few other famous guys (names are escaping me). He spent his time sailing around the Keys and bootleging. A doccumentary is being made about him and his cronies from Worcester, MA.
In Grandma Marie Louise's later years she sang and played the piano on the top floor of a gay bar in Boston (the exclusive floor). Her funeral was packed with all of "her boys" as she called them. The boys all broke champagne glasses on her casket.
Needless to say, Marie Louise was a hoot!
As for my much more boring self...Yes! I am close to Hartford to. Maybe 15 minutes west of the city.