In 2005 Bon Appétit issued an Eat Local Challenge to our chefs - hold an event with a meal made completely from local ingredients. Everything used in the preparation of the food must come from within a 150-mile radius of the café, with the only exception of salt. That means to serve bread, the wheat, yeast, sugar, everything has to come from within 150 miles. Our chefs were able to create amazing, diverse meals using ingredients from their food sheds and an annual tradition was born.
The now yearly event illustrates to our guests both the great taste of local foods and the precarious state of our food supply. Materials are available outlining the loss of biodiversity in the US with local examples. Solutions are presented as well including information on what guests can do to support local agriculture and stop the loss of our local food supply. Bon Appétit’s Farm to Fork program is highlighted along with suggestions to shop at farmers’ markets, support local businesses, etc.
Guest response has been wonderful! While we serve locally purchased food everyday in our cafés, this extreme example of 100% local ingredients has started lively conversations amongst students, faculty and our staff.
Visit our Circle of Responsibility site for more information on this year's Eat Local Challenge, taking place on September 28, 2010 in cafes nationwide.
Eat Local Challenge on Facebook: For the first time ever, Bon Appétit is challenging the world to do what our chefs do every year:
create a meal sourced entirely from local, farm-fresh ingredients.
If you join us, you could win a new iPad loaded with a free copy of Mark Bittman's new app, How to Cook Everything! And now, thanks to our friends at Culinate, the first 50 people to complete ALL the steps of the Challenge will win a free copy of the HTCE App!
How to enter:
1. Become a Fan of (aka "Like") Bon Appétit Management Company on Facebook
2. Cook a meal with fresh ingredients sourced from 150 miles of your home (go all the way -- the only exception is salt!)
3. Take pictures of your meal, then savor the farm-fresh goodness with your friends
4. Post a picture of your meal with the names of the farm(s) or farmer(s) who grew your meal on the Event Wall
5. Make sure you complete ALL of these steps by September 30th.
Voila! You'll be automatically entered for a chance to win an iPad with "How to Cook Everything!
Bon Appétit!
Details of the contest can be found on the Eat Local Challenge Event Page on Facebook!
