Bon Appétit Management Company Challenges America to Eat Local
The Eat Local Challenge explores why local foods are better for the palate, the community, and the environment
WHAT: On Tuesday, October 3rd, 2006, 400 cafés across the country run by Bon Appétit Management Company will serve a lunch that is made entirely from local foods. Every ingredient in the meal will come from farmers or artisan producers within a 150 mile radius of the café, showing 200,000 diners across the nation what a 100 percent local meal looks and tastes like. It is the largest coordinated national event designed to encourage Americans to Eat Local.
WHY: With organic food awareness at an all-time high, the Eat Local Challenge will illustrate why eating foods grown in the local community is even more important than eating organic. Consumers will learn how far food travels to reach the average American plate, understand the consequences of food choices for the local economy and be inspired to support small scale local farmers. When diners eat the Eat Local Challenge lunch, they’ll taste how the freshest, peak-season foods inspire chefs to heights of culinary excellence.
WHERE: The 400 Bon Appétit cafes in 26 states include: Yahoo!, Nordstrom, the Guthrie Theater, the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, Case Western Reserve University, Emmanuel College -and hundreds more colleges, corporations, and specialty venues.
WHO: Bon Appétit Management Company is a food service provider to colleges and universities, corporations and specialty venues across the US. They have built their business around socially responsible food sourcing practices.
HOW: Regional information and direct contacts for Bon Appétit chefs and farmers gladly provided. We will also offer regionally-based food and agriculture experts for interviews, and national spokespersons from Bon Appétit and respected conservation groups.
For a list of cafés in your region, recipes, menus and photos, contact Straus Communications: Haven Bourque — [email protected], 415-777-1170 x 303