The Houndstooth Gourmet

Well ok–I’ll admit something simply not shocking, I didn’t come up in life a foodie or a homespun gourmet. I wasn’t hanging on to anyone’s apron, peering up to see how the stuffed cabbage was made (is anyone else out there jealous of all of those tv food show hosts that brag about cooking meatballs with Grandma when they were like 2 years old? Or have recipes passed down from every double X chromosome family member since Eisenhower was in office?). Growing up, I did my fair share of swishing food around my plate to make it look like I’d eaten more than I had (What, eat? But…but…it’s still light out! Must…be…out..playing!). I was masterful at pushing vegetables over the side of the dish where I knew no one would see. I tried vegetables if only to appease my mom (fried tomatoes come to mind and now I adore them) but lo and behold, here I am; someone who loves to cook, bake and appreciates slow food that is grown as naturally and locally as possible.

I suppose my first experience eating “locally” and “sustainably” and “for a social cause” came over a decade ago when I worked at the University of Pennsylvania.  I frequented The White Dog Cafe on Sansom street which was a short walk from the hospital, and happened to be a very popular spot among those who lived and worked in University City. The owner, Judy Wicks (whose accomplishments and awards are enumerated here), was on a mission that was unknown to me at the time. She wanted her restaurant to support local purveyors using organic and sustainable farming practices, and moreover, benefit her employees and people all around the world.

That’s called having a lot on your plate.

From The White Dog Cafe’s website:

The Cafe sources all produce in season from local organic family farms. All meat and poultry is humanely raised, and fish and seafood are sourced from sustainable fisheries. One hundred percent of electricity is purchased from wind power sources, the first business in Pennsylvania to do so.  Entry-level employees make a minimum “living wage” of $9/hour.  Twenty percent of profits are contributed to White Dog Community Enterprises and other non-profits.  Community Enterprise projects have included Fair Food, which connects local family farms with urban markets, and SBN, which was spun off in 2006.

Fair Food Farmstand, a part of White Dog Community Enterprises, is located in Philadelphia’s Reading Terminal Market. It provides a venue for local (Southeastern PA and Southern NJ), small, family farmers to make their food available in the urban Philadelphia marketplace. Not only does this allow market-goers access to fresh, delicious food; it educates a broad swath of the public that files in and out of the market on a daily basis about the value of sustainable farming and living practices.

On my recent visit to the Fair Food Farmstand, I saw that each and every item is attributed to its source. Now I realize that this practice can become rather trite on restaurant menus to some, but it was heartening to see that within the small footprint of the stand, there was an abundnace of products ranging from red onions, to scorzonera (black salsify),  and heirloom red cranberries from Vincentown, NJ.  And raw milk! Yes, for you home cheese makers who would love to get your mitts on some raw cow juice! There’s no need for an underground milkyway in PA. as raw milk is legal: although the production and distribution of raw milk and raw milk products is not without impediments and controversy.

I was also pleased to see chevre from Apple Tree Goat Dairy in the refrigerator case. Those of you who frequent the Northern Virginia farmers markets, such as Del Ray and West Alexandria, know that Tom the Cheese Guy brings this wonderful cheese to us in season. It’s just one of the many artisan products showcased at this wonderful stand.

I do hope you have a chance to enjoy visiting the Fair Food Farmstand as much as I did, should you find yourself in Philadlephia! Their footprint may be small, but their mission is mighty.

• Social Bookmark This
  
  • Bloglines
  • Digg
  • del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Technorati

Tags: travel, Philadelphia, farmers markets //