Buy Local!

by James Porter

originally posted: Mar-20-2009

Did you know that for every dollar you spend at a locally owned business, 45 cents of it actually stays in our local economy (jobs, taxes, support for the business next door!), while only 13 cents of every dollar you spend at a chain stays here - the rest goes who knows where.

Seems to me, in this time of economic trouble, each and every single person can help boost the economy, in some way, with every dollar they spend.

Buy local!

I know it's nearly impossible to buy everything local. In fact, the message I'm sending is that when the option is there - to buy local or go to a chain - just take a moment to decide which the best choice is for you. Where you end up going is your business, but I can tell you whenever possible I buy local.

OK - that brings me to my next big chant: Vote With Your Fork! Since I'm a chef and restaurant owner, not only do I want you to come to my place, but I also encourage you to support local restaurants. We (local restaurateurs that is) most often use the best local ingredients we can get our hands on, have great relationships with local businesses, and many of us buy directly from local farmers and ranchers.

While I always update my menu to feature the season's best, I've recently added a Four Course Pre Fixe Dinner that features the best local farmers have to offer. I change it every Wednesday. It's not totally local (I love fish, game and foie) but I do use whatever I can that grows around us to compliment other ingredients. It's a win-win in my eyes-guests get a fabulous dinner that incorporates Arizona's finest foods, support a local restaurant, and I support the local farmers.

Hope to see you at Tapino, another local restaurant, or at any local farmers market!

To learn more about going local check out: Local First Arizona at www.LocalFirstAZ.com, or go to Phoenix Public Market's website: www.foodconnect.org

And check out my weekly Pre Fixe Menu:
CLICK HERE