Buying Local In Bulk

Going to the farmer’s market is perfect if you’re cooking an organic dinner for two. But what about when you’re cooking for 200? That’s the conundrum many restaurants faced in trying to buy local ingredients – en masse. There wasn’t a Costco equivalent for local food. Until now.

NPR reports that a new business called Farmsreach is connecting local farmers to institutional buyers like restaurants and schools looking to buy local – and feed many. Buyers and growers can place and fill orders via the Farmsreach Web site -- a less leisurely activity than browsing the farmer's market, but then again, this is business, not pleasure.

What it means is more people will be able to enjoy local produce and local farming businesses will get a boost.

Buying local isn’t hurting restaurant marketing efforts, either. A survey from the National Restaurant Association shows that local produce was the second-highest-ranked food trend among chefs (only after bite-sized desserts). So you want to really kick your menu up a notch? Bite-sized pie made with local blueberries, anyone?

Photo courtesy Acnatta, via Flickr.