Celebrate Earth Day

Be a locavore and aid the local economy and environment

By Teresa Maurer

From the White House grounds to the People’s Garden at the USDA in Washington, D.C., to thousands of fresh markets in rural and urban communities, the momentum behind growing, eating, buying and supporting local food is growing.

Regionally, new groups are forming all over Northwest Arkansas to support community gardens and local food in schools and restaurants. University, city, retailer and nonprofit efforts seek to increase marketing options for local farmers so that farming can remain a viable and valued part of NWA culture and economy.

Increasing numbers and locations for farmers markets and other innovative direct marketing efforts are making it easier to find and buy food produced in the Ozarks. In NWA, more than 100 kinds of vegetables, fruits, herbs, meats and other wonderful edibles are available that are grown within 100 miles of your home-this radius of local food availability is called a “foodshed,” which is much like a watershed in that smaller systems contribute to larger systems.

Food that reaches your home or restaurant plate within 24 hours of picking tastes better and is better for the environment. Meat that travels 10 miles rather than several thousand saves energy and farmers receive more of your direct food dollars when you shop locally. In turn, those local food dollars stay in the community longer. If each person in NWA spent 10 percent of their food dollar on local food, there is an estimated $65 million dollar market opportunity.

Consider voting with your food dollars in ways that support the local environment and the local economy by participating in the Well FED local and organic foods menu week from the list below.

Earth Day is April 22. Support your local foodshed by visiting ozarkslowfood.org to learn more about local and organic foods during the Well FED menu week from April 17-24.

Teresa Maurer is the chair of Ozark Slow Foods

The Well FED Menu

To celebrate the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, several Fayetteville restaurants, bars and coffeehouses are featuring local and organic specials April 17-24. Called the Fayetteville Earth Day menu, or FED, it’s a weeklong opportunity to patronize locally owned businesses for local and organic treats. Support your local foodshed.

Here is a list of Well FED specials that are happening during Earth Day Week.

April 17-24

Coffee and Tea

Arsaga’s Espresso Cafe — Will feature an organic “Earth Blend” as their brewed coffee special of the week and offer 10 percent off “Earth Blend” whole bean purchases.

Baba Boudan’s — Organic coffees featured all week with 10 percent off organic coffee bean purchases.

Trailside Cafe & Tea Room — Half-off all certified organic teas.

Libations

Brewski’s Draft Emporium — Organic beer discounts.

Hog Haus Brewing Company — Half-price Hog Haus home brews.

The Wine Cellar — Discounted bottles and glasses of Stellar Organics’ cabernet sauvignon.

Food

Common Grounds — Sweden Creek Shitake stuffed mushrooms.

El Camino Real — Mexican omelets with organic eggs and spinach.

Greenhouse Grille — Locally sourced organic menu specials. Music by Jeff Kearney on Earth Day (April 22).

Hammontree’s — Certified organic salads and sustainable red wine.

Jammin Java — 10 percent off of certified organic salads and $1 coffee refills with your own mug.

Little Bread Company — Organic, farm-fresh egg quiche and local salad combo.

Lucky Lukes BBQ — Local, free-range chicken and organic salad combo platter.

Oseguera’s — Local organic spinach enchiladas and quesadillas.

Daily Specials

Tables & Ale — $2 pints of organic Mothership Wit, April 18-19.

Bordino’s — Locally sourced menu specials with optional bio-dynamic wine flight April 19-22.

Bliss Cupcakes — Gammy’s Apple cake with organic apples April 20-21.

Hammontree’s — Local organic salad and farmers’ market Veggie Grilled Cheese April 20. Teatro Scarpino — $1 off Santa Julia organic chardonnay April 20-24.

Kosmos — Greek Village Salad with local, organic greens and veggies April 22.

Rogue — $2 New Belgium beer specials and live music by Bent Grass Green April 22.

Uber Burger — Arkansas organic Buffalo Burger with creamed horseradish April 23-24.

Club 36 — Certified organic vodka martini’s April 23-24.