Photo of the Week: Fresh Produce from Bridgman Farm

These gorgeous Heirloom Cherry Tomatoes and Asian Eggplant were delivered to us on Thursday from Bridgman Farm.  We can't wait to use them!

Trend: Benefits of Eating Local

Jen & Anne with Kip from Green Edge Farms.  He supplies us with eggs, herbs and mushrooms among other delicious produce.

You could hardly say that eating local is a new trend, but it’s what we’re all about here at The Kitchen and it’s a concept that is being widely embraced throughout Columbus. 

So why eat local?  Well the obvious benefits include giving back to the local economy and investing in local farmland and greenspace, thereby supporting and empowering local farmers and businesses.  Giving back to our local food community is dear to our hearts and something we believe our patrons value as much as we do.  But there are even more reasons to eat local… 

Quite simply, eating local just tastes better.  Locally grown crops are picked at their peak and arrive to your plate shortly after.  When crops are harvested seasonally they are full of flavor as opposed to fruits and vegetables that must be picked before they are ripe and are designed to be durable in order to be shipped.  Food shouldn’t be celebrated for its durability, but rather its deliciousness!      

At The Kitchen, we put our money where our mouth is- literally.  Whether it’s our plump mushrooms from Green Edge Gardens, our fresh tortillas from Koki’s Tortillas or our high-quality meats from Bluescreek Farm, we believe in supporting our fellow local businesses, but also helping to ensure that our community is receiving the best possible food, from farm to table.    

Trend: Eating Seasonally

Eating seasonally is a great way to save money, eat healthy and benefit your local farmers.  We hear more and more about eating foods that are in season as people try to become more aware of where their food is coming from, but the movement is more than a trend.

First of all, eating seasonally can save you and your family a lot of money.  If you buy foods that are in season, you are buying them at their greatest production level. The overhead costs for farmers and distributers are less, meaning the prices in your grocery store will be less.

Buying seasonally also means that you are eating food at its peak.  Taste, nutrition and availability are all in their prime when food is in season.  When foods are grown and harvested out of season, you have to wait for them to be shipped from around the world, often meaning that produce has been harvested too soon in order to make the trip without spoiling.  This leads to a sacrifice in taste and cost.

By eating seasonally, you also expose your palate to a broader variety of produce.  When shopping only for what is seasonally available, you may find that there are many fruits and vegetables that are new to you.

An easy way to spot seasonal foods in your grocery store is looking at price trends.  If berries are particularly expensive, or if an abundance of potatoes are on sale, that is an indicator of being in-season.  You can also check out this excellent guide from The Cleveland Clinic or this interactive peak-season map from Epicurious to help you eat fresh.

Ohio seasonal foods for the month of July

Black-eyed peas

Blueberries

Corn

Cucumbers

Eggplant

Nectarines

Okra

Peaches

Raspberries

Tomatoes