Now more than ever, these local food businesses are becoming viable, with an increasing customer base demanding transparency in where their food comes from and how it is produced. In Boston, we now see an interconnected local food network of producers, providers and deliverers. There are many opportunities to access this network and realize that your contributions to these businesses create a ripple effect, benefitting the local economy, environment and your personal health. Eating at a restaurant that sources from local farms helps everyone from the farmer to the chef stay in business, cut down on transportation emissions, and craft a meal with fresher, unprocessed ingredients.
A producer is anyone with the means to grow or generate a food product. This includes farms growing crops, raising meat, or dairy products as well as businesses such as breweries, cheese makers, and coffee roasters, which create specialty products. These businesses are a direct connection to local food. Another important category to consider is local delivery. The deliverers within the Boston area bring food directly from the producer to your doorstep or an accessible, communal space. Whether it is a CSA program or catered meal service, local delivery is a great option for accessing your local food network while running on a tight schedule.
The Boston Public Market is a great place to start shopping locally in Boston. This market connects you with over 40 local venders and an opportunity to meet farmers, fishermongers and other food producers throughout New England. If you are looking for a new restaurant, check out b. good for a fresh local meal. This provider is setting a forward thinking example of transparency by showing where their food comes from, displayed on a large map across the wall within the restaurants, and sharing the personal stories of the producers within their food network. For example, during the growing season b. good sources tomatoes grown by Green City Growers. The tomatoes are grown in a roof top garden right here in Boston! It is easy to see how stopping for dinner at b. good supports the restaurant as a provider as well as supporting
Green City Growers as a producer, and everyone involved is contributing to a sustainable system of food production. As for deliverers, Cuisine en Locale is worth looking into and offers a readymade meal CSA. Prepared with seasonal local ingredients, you can have home cooked meals delivered right to your door. City Feed and Supply is a great and unique food retailer in Jamaica Plain. They offer a large stock of local and organic products with informative labels detailing their source.
The Metro Boston area is full of opportunities to connect with local food and the people who make local food their livelihood. All it takes is one visit to a new market or restaurant and your connection to the local food world will begin! There are many producers, providers, and deliverers contributing to a sustainable food system within the region, start asking where your food comes from and find out where to get the freshest food with the lowest carbon footprint easily and affordably.
Chandlyr Jackson and Tyler Nelson, cofounders of The Green Beat:
A community based brand helping people connect with local food in the Urban Environment.
thegreenbeat. com
GROW! BOSTON
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