So what is local?

Only one store/shop/restaurant within walking distance of your house?
5 miles, driving?
The county you live in?
Metro area?
Another state if you are adjacent to another state? Within one county of that?
And don't go to chains because the money goes out of state? Does that mean, money going to out of state corporate headquarters? Because we have corporate headquarters for quite a few chains here in Louisville? So wouldn't it be alright to eat at one of those? Wouldn't alot of that money stay here? And their employees probably buy....local... And in other cities, you'd rather they eat local and not buy the food from the companies headquartered in Louisville?
But it's alright to sell your local product in a chain here and elsewhere? That isn't headquartered here?
I certainly understand the local push on this site to a point, but where do you draw the line?
Seems like you would have to make some exceptions. Or are you like people on talk radio, 'you' make ridiculous statements to get people fired up and talking.
I'm not mad or upset. It's annoying at times. Sometimes amusing.
Just curious.
Thanks, Ellen

I tend to look for the best product and service - more often than not that's local for a variety of reasons. On the other hand we consume and enjoy many things either can't be aquired locally or the local stuff isn't up to snuff. For example I drink wine from all over the world - none from Kentucky. I don't recall any locally produced wines as being all that palitable. Seafood obviously. I'm not sold that local beef is better any measurable way from quality sourced from meat outside the region. I think local chicken and eggs just taste better.

I found local lamb that I love because it's not frozen or shrink wrapped in some nasty plastic.

[Robin Garr]

I certainly understand the local push on this site to a point, but where do you draw the line?

I think I've expressed my position on this in the forum and in print, but I'm always happy to do it again:

I prefer to shop locally, by which I mean as close to home as possible. I love buying from farmers who live within an hour's drive of my home, but I'll buy Schlafly beer from St. Louis or Bell's from Kalamazoo and consider it "local" next to the industrial beers. I prefer to choose foods produced as naturally as possible, and to avoid foods made with additives, hormones, GMO products, high fructose corn syrup and all the rest of the chemistry-set stuff that Big Food would like us to eat. I like to watch carbon miles. I like to support union shops. And I like to support small local businesses and regional farmers. When I can look the producer in the face and talk to him as one human being to another, I feel better about that for a variety of reasons.

But all things in moderation. I don't see the point in going crazy about it, but then, I'm not a fundamentalist in this or any other of my life's choices either.

Sum it up in a sentence? Buy local and buy natural when it makes sense; otherwise, go with the most sensible option among what's left.

I am getting worn out from several trends, "buy local", "small plates", "food trucks", & "cupcakes". I agree with Robin, buy local when it makes sense, but don't drive yourself crazy over it. I think small plates are a rip off. I like food trucks as long as the food tastes good & is a good value. Too often people are going ape just because it came from a truck. I think cupcakes are a flash in the pan, & will frizzle soon, probably like frozen yogurt did 20 years ago.

[Robin Garr]

I am getting worn out from several trends, "buy local", "small plates", "food trucks", & "cupcakes". I agree with Robin, buy local when it makes sense, but don't drive yourself crazy over it. I think small plates are a rip off. I like food trucks as long as the food tastes good & is a good value. Too often people are going ape just because it came from a truck. I think cupcakes are a flash in the pan, & will frizzle soon, probably like frozen yogurt did 20 years ago.

A couple of different perspectives: I love small plates! It gives me the choice of a light meal for less, or grazing and enjoying greater variety rather than taking one big entree. Your mileage, of course, may vary.

As for food trucks, I remember some awful roach coaches of times past, but in fairness, the current squadron of food trucks around Louisville strike me as serious food guys taking advantage of a *relatively* affordable way of entry into the restaurant scene. I'm not one to rave about food just because it's trendy, but I've been following our local food truck guys pretty closely, and they tend toward awesomeness in their own right, not just because they roll on four wheels.

I haven't warmed up to the cupcake trend myself, but I wouldn't pick on someone who has.

Robin,

Good points. For me small plates are the same price as appetizers, but with about half the food. Every time I end up at a trendy places trying small plates, I spend $50 & walk away hungry. Good to know your thoughts on local food trucks, if the quality & value are there I don't care where it is prepared.

I am getting worn out from several trends, "buy local", "small plates", "food trucks", & "cupcakes". I agree with Robin, buy local when it makes sense, but don't drive yourself crazy over it. I think small plates are a rip off. I like food trucks as long as the food tastes good & is a good value. Too often people are going ape just because it came from a truck. I think cupcakes are a flash in the pan, & will frizzle soon, probably like frozen yogurt did 20 years ago.

A couple of different perspectives: I love small plates! It gives me the choice of a light meal for less, or grazing and enjoying greater variety rather than taking one big entree. Your mileage, of course, may vary.

As for food trucks, I remember some awful roach coaches of times past, but in fairness, the current squadron of food trucks around Louisville strike me as serious food guys taking advantage of a *relatively* affordable way of entry into the restaurant scene. I'm not one to rave about food just because it's trendy, but I've been following our local food truck guys pretty closely, and they tend toward awesomeness in their own right, not just because they roll on four wheels.

I haven't warmed up to the cupcake trend myself, but I wouldn't pick on someone who has.

The quality is definitely there with our local trucks, and I think the value is there too, on balance. $8 to Lil Cheezers is the most I've ever paid for a grilled cheese sandwich, but it's also the best grilled cheese I've ever had. $4 for a taco from Holy Mole is a bit dear, but they're tasty enough that I didn't feel ripped off on my one and only visit.

. . . the current squadron of food trucks around Louisville strike me as serious food guys . .. .

"guys" Is that the northern version of y'all?

There are two "girl trucks". Just sayin'.

Please resume normal food talk.

Trying to firmly establish what local means is a trap both ideologically and semantically. Rainbow Blossom is local but they sell food that is prepared all over the place. Bell's isn't local to me in any way, shape, or form. Lots of the bigger chains aren't local but they employee plenty of locals.

While my choices are hamstrung because of financial limitations (just like most of you to some degree), I try to buy from places that are "local" to some place. This works best with beer. I know where Bell's is from because I've been there. I've also been to the Busch Brewery in St. Louis, but I don't believe my beer comes from there and my dollars go there.

Some might argue that Wal-Mart is local to Bentonville and McDonald's is local to Bernardino, California. I don't buy it. At this point, they are just free-moving brands with no sense of place.

My one exception - and it falls in the "because it's the best option for me at the moment " category - is Aldi's.

"You guys" is the Ohio version of "y'all." Not sure about here though.

In parts of the upper Mid-west such as sections of North Dakota, Minnesota and Wisconsin, the equivalent of y'all is youse guys!

[Robin Garr]

. . . the current squadron of food trucks around Louisville strike me as serious food guys . .. .

"guys" Is that the northern version of y'all?

Yes. It is gender-neutral.

There are two "girl trucks". Just sayin'.

Please resume normal food talk.

Those whose income depends on serving the public would do well to avoid picking up conversational topics that might irritate the public. Just sayin'.

"You guys" is the Ohio version of "y'all." Not sure about here though.

In Appalachia they say you'uns. In Pittsburgh they say yinz.