the trailer food diaries
Farm to trailer—who is sourcing locally?
Sep 30, 2011 | 11:24 am
Sourcing locally is often top of the mind for those ensconced in the food industry. For some, it's a way to support fellow entrepreneurs, others it's a health choice and some a marketing aid. To help you determine which trailers are sourcing locally, we are providing this non-comprehensive abbreviated field guide:
- Counter Culture: Many of their tomatoes are purchased from Johnson's Backyard upon availability. Kale (and other things) are bought from Resolution Gardens when it's in season. They also use bread that is made locally at New World Bakery.
- Le Boite: Their menu has a Euro-bistro feel with multiple items from our local Austin farmers' markets including Pederson, Richardson, and Full Quiver Farms.
- Local Yolk: Their egg-sandwich based menu and purchase eggs from Farm to Table, with an aspiration to one day have their own chickens.
- Mambo Berry: They use local White Mountain yogurt for their frozen yogurt. Many yogurt shops use a premix, but she uses fresh, probiotic filled, yogurt made right here in Austin.
- Say•She•Ate: They source all of their Akaushi Beef from Heartbrand Beef in Yoakum, TX and go to farmers' markets every Saturday to find the freshest produce possible.
- Sun Farm Kitchens: They source much of their menu from Hope Farmers' Market and 4th and Guadalupe Market; produce from Johnson's Backyard Garden. They receive wholesale deliveries from Greenling, who were able to deliver Organic Texas avocados and lemons while in season. Between markets, they go to Wheatsville, who often has local produce available. Last but not least, their coffee comes from Texas Coffee Traders; tea from Nile Valley
- The Peached Tortilla: They serve at Cedar Park Farmer's Market Saturday's. A good amount of his menu is local there. The Catfish is sourced from K&S Seafood and Slider buns from Sweetish Hill Bakery. Eggs are sourced from Smith & Smith Farms while cheese comes from Full Quiver. For eggplant, bell peppers, and sweet onions, he looks to Hairston Creek Farms.
- Turf n Surf: They stay flexible and to try to source locally when possible. For example, they get tortillas from Paqui, and bread from Old World Bakery.
- Zubik House: Andy is a big advocate for local business and leads by example by buying from local farms such as Full Quiver, Richardson, Fredericksburg beef, Slovacek and Kocurek. He says, “If you want a good strong economy you have to have a strong local economy—I can do my part with my business by buying local products. If I have my way, we will get nothing but local products and keep those dollars here and not sending them overseas or far away.”
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