What is the Eat Local Challenge?
On Tuesday, September 25th, all Bon Appétit Management Company cafés across the country will serve a lunch or dinner that is made completely from local ingredients. Everything used in the preparation of the food will come from within a 150 mile radius of the café; the only exception being salt.
Will everything in the café be local on that day?
The Eat Local Challenge is about giving guests the option to eat locally. Everything served in Summerfields and the Marketplace will be local. Summerfields will serve an entirely local Lunch while the Marketplace will have a local Dinner.
How do you define “local”?
At Bon Appétit we define “local” to mean from within 150 miles of our kitchens. Conversely, on average most food in the US travels 1500 miles.
Why is eating local important?
At Bon Appétit everything starts with flavor. First and foremost, locally grown food tastes great because it can be picked at the peak of ripeness rather than months ahead to allow for shipping. Also, local growers are often better stewards of the land and keeping them in business ensures greenbelts and open space. Thirdly, the negative environmental impact from fuel emissions is reduced when food doesn’t have to travel thousands of miles to reach your plate.
Why is Bon Appétit Management Company doing the Eat Local Challenge?
As a company Bon Appétit is committed to flavor and sustainability as well as community. The Eat Local Challenge is our way of giving back to the community by providing our guests with information on the issues surrounding local food supplies.
Does Bon Appétit use local food on a regular basis?
Yes, we feature local food in our cafés everyday through our Farm to Fork program.
Does buying local food cost more?
Serving made from scratch food from sustainable sources doesn’t have to be more expensive. By buying directly from farmers and artisans we are able to put more money in their pocket (rather than paying the middle man) and still pass along great prices to our guests.
How can I buy local food to cook with at home?
Go to your local farmer’s market or buy a share of a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture). For more information and a directory of local resources and sustainability, visit www.circleofresponsibility.com
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