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2023’s Best Cities to Eat Local Food
Where in America can you easily find farm-fresh food?
To mark National Small Business Week starting April 30, LawnStarter ranked 2023’s Best Cities to Eat Local Food, compared the 200 biggest U.S. cities based on three categories.
LawnStarter looked for cities with great access to community-supported agriculture (CSAs), u-pick farms, local dairy farms, and on-farm markets. LawnStarter also considered the number of local food movement groups, among 17 metrics. Dig into our ranking below. To learn how LawnStarter ranked the cities, see our methodology.
Top 5 Close Up
Check out the slideshow below for highlights on each of the top five cities.
No. 1: Portland, Oregon | Overall Score: 51.30
Access: 1
Convenience: 2
Support: 27Local Tips: Laughing Planet Cafe uses local ingredients to craft globally inspired takes on burritos, soups, and salads.
With 40 locations across the Portland metro, Burgerville makes it easy to chomp down on fast food favorites with local origins.
For fancier fare, check out the seasonal menu at Arden, or book a table at “reverse steakhouse” G-Love.
Photo Credit: BXXXTY / Pexels / Pexels License
No. 2: Baltimore | Overall Score: 47.61
Access: 10
Convenience: 1
Support: 2Local Tips: Baltimore supports farmers and locavores through the city’s Homegrown Baltimore initiative.
Residents can explore local options on the Baltimore Foodshed map.
Maggie’s Farm is a favorite farm-to-table spot for locals. Another option is Gertrude’s, which serves up a Chesapeake-inspired menu inside the Baltimore Museum of Art.
Photo Credit: Styves Exantus / Pexels / Pexels License
No. 3: Alexandria, Virginia | Overall Score: 47.5
Access: 2
Convenience: 18
Support: 4Local Tips: Have a Parisian outing in Old Town Alexandria with a locally sourced meal at Bastille Brasserie & Bar.
Dine in an 1800s granary converted into an American-style tavern with seasonal fare at Virtue Feed & Grain.
Photo Credit: ALXCHO / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
No. 4: Washington | Overall Score: 43.03
Access: 13
Convenience: 26
Support: 1Local Tips: Shop at a grocery store filled with local products at Dawson’s Market.
Find fresh and sustainably sourced ingredients at one of six Clyde’s locations across the DC metro area.
Discover other restaurants with a “Snail of Approval,” designated by Slow Food D.C.
Photo Credit: Pixabay / Pexels / Pexels License
No. 5: Minneapolis | Overall Score: 41.93
Access: 8
Convenience: 4
Support: 50Local Tips: The city of Minneapolis encourages local dining through the Homegrown Minneapolis initiative.
Find local products and farm-to-table restaurants with the help of directories like Minnesota Grown and Minnesota Cooks.
Top spots for locavores include Wise Acre, The New York Times-approved Petite León, and Spoon and Stable, led by a James Beard Award-winning chef.Photo Credit: BpA9543 / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
Farm-to-Fork: Key Insights
The Gist
Eating local is popular and convenient in many large cities along the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. Locavores also can thrive in Midwestern cities like Minneapolis (No. 5) and Madison, Wisconsin (No. 8), thanks to high access to community-supported agriculture and local farms offering delivery.
Many Texas cities fall behind in access to locally sourced food. Only six Lone Star cities place in the top half of our ranking: Austin (No. 54), Dallas (No. 63), McKinney (No. 77), Plano (No. 79), Denton (No. 94), and Frisco (No. 97). Meanwhile, seven Texas cities land in the bottom 10 — just behind Anchorage, Alaska, in last place.
Standout Stats
- Land of Locavores: It’s no secret that Portlanders love local food. Portland, Oregon, takes first place overall with the best Access to local eats and the highest number of u-pick farms. The City of Roses also offers a high number of farm stands, on-farm markets, and craft breweries per square mile.
- Atlantic Eats: Mid-Atlantic cities Baltimore (No. 2), Alexandria, Virginia (No. 3), and Washington (No. 4), sprout to the top of our ranking with high Access and Support for eating local. Alexandria and Washington tie with Philadelphia (No. 21) for the most on-farm markets within 50 miles. Baltimore boasts the best Convenience with the second-highest number of both on-farm pickup and delivery options. All three cities have Buy Fresh Buy Local chapters, too.
- Pick Your Own: Cities in the Northeast and Northwest grow plenty of options for picking your own produce at farms. Portland (No. 1) leads the way, followed by Vancouver, Washington (No. 10), Boston (No. 7), Worcester, Massachusetts (No. 11), and Seattle (No. 6) in u-pick farm access.
- Fast (Fresh) Food: Eating local doesn’t need to be inconvenient in Madison, Wisconsin (No. 8), where locals devour the most options for food delivery directly from farms. Baltimore (No. 2), Portland, Oregon (No. 1), Louisville, Kentucky (No. 39), and St. Paul, Minnesota (No. 15), all tie for second place in this metric with a handful of other cities.
- From Seed to Salad: Community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs are a popular and convenient way to access farm-fresh food — especially in Minneapolis (No. 5), which has the most CSAs per 100,000 residents. Eugene, Oregon (No. 42), produces the second-highest number of CSAs per capita.
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The Rise of Etto Pasta: Exploring the Versatility and Flavor of this Italian Classic
Not all pasta is created equal. Pasta is simple and unpretentious. Yet it is also complex, nutritious, and distinct. It is amazing how something so simple can be incredibly diverse, endlessly creative, and good for you. Craft pasta like the best ones made in Italy are rare and delicious in texture, aroma and flavor. Etto brings the best of pasta to California using the best American ingredients and the best Italian craft pasta equipment, technique and style.
Etto Pasta is a brand of artisanal pasta that is known for its high-quality ingredients, traditional techniques, and unique shapes. Founded in 2012 by chef and restaurateur Liz Matthews, Etto Pasta is based in the UK and uses only the finest, carefully-sourced ingredients, including Italian semolina flour and free-range eggs.
Pasta is a daily food of Italy. However, its appearance across the country is far from monotonous. The great variety of pasta shapes accentuate Italy’s regional differences and draw attention to the distinctions that define local identities. Each dish can tell a story of a place, its history, its people, and a way of life. (Not to mention that Italy ranks as the healthiest nation in the world*.) Italians eat pasta by the etto (100 grams or about ¼ pound). An etto represents a sensible portion of pasta for one person, as either a primi or as part of a balanced meal.
Etto is family-owned, sources quality ingredients, and values our customers and community. Our pasta factory is located in Tin City, an industrial area comprised of small artisanal winemakers, breweries, a creamery, distillery and more. This creative hub is in Paso Robles, California.
You can also visit the Etto Marketplace located in Tin City. Here you will find fresh Etto pasta, local and imported specialty foods, Italian wines from Giornata and much more!
Etto Pasta offers a wide range of pasta shapes, from classic option like Creste di Gallo to more unusual shapes like Casarecce, Conchigliette and Figaro. Each shape is crafted using time-honored methods and the best ingredients, resulting in a pasta that is both flavorful and texturally superior to mass-produced options. Etto Pasta also offers a range of sauces and pestos to complement their pasta, making it easy to create delicious and authentic Italian meals at home.
Herbed Chicken and Tomato Pasta with Etto Pasta
Recipe for Rosemary and Thyme Chicken Thighs with Sliced Tomato and Etto Pasta
Ingredients:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary
- 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
- 2 large tomatoes, sliced
- 1/2 pound Etto Pasta (penne, fusilli or spaghetti)
- Parmesan cheese, grated (optional)
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Season chicken thighs with salt and pepper.
- Heat olive oil and butter in an oven-proof skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken thighs and cook until browned on both sides and cooked through, about 5-6 minutes per side.
- Add minced garlic, rosemary, and thyme to the skillet and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Arrange sliced tomatoes around the chicken thighs in the skillet.
- Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the tomatoes are tender.
- While the chicken is baking, cook the Etto Pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Serve the Rosemary and Thyme Chicken Thighs with Sliced Tomato and Etto Pasta hot, topped with grated Parmesan cheese (if desired).
Enjoy your delicious and flavorful meal featuring Etto Pasta!
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A healthy blend of beet root, tart cherries, cranberries, pomegranate, hibiscus, and magnesium, 120/Life is the first functional beverage designed to help lower blood pressure naturally.
There’s a naturally occurring mineral that is so important to our good health and is so often overlooked: magnesium. Magnesium serves numerous vital functions in our bodies. It’s also one of the key minerals found in juice at 120/Life. 120/Life, the first functional drink made from six ingredients and proven to help people lower blood pressure. Co-Founded by Susan Schachter registered nutritionist (MSRDN), she is dedicated to helping people achieve wellness naturally. The drink she co-created is six ingredients that you may can at your grocery store and is intended to be a support to healthy lifestyle choices and not a supplement. 120/Life is also backed by Cardiologist, Dr. Lowell Steen.
A recent study that found heart attacks in people ages 25 to 44 increased by 30%, this is the highest its ever been for this age group. There are many factors that may contribute to this, and that is why I am proposing a conversation around blood pressure and heart health for those who may have never experienced problems in the past, and/or might also be fit, and athletic. With the number of professional athletes experiencing heart issues, there is no better time than now to have this discussion and make it accessible for all.
Susan Schachter, MSRDN is co-founder of 120/Life, in-house nutrition expert, and author of the Circulatory blog. Susan is a Registered Dietitian, Nutritionist, and Adjunct Professor of Nutrition, with over 20 years in the field. Susan stresses the value of synthesizing traditional approaches to health with alternative wisdom and thinking.8 ounces of Pow! from 6 natural ingredients. 120/Life blended them together into a super beverage proven to lower blood pressure—now with even more efficient delivery of nitrates and a better taste. The drink is delicious, not too tart and not too sweet, this is a great addition to a healthy lifestyle.You May Also Like
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Armored Fresh Enters Food Service Industry with Plant-Based Cheese Debut at Vegan Fast-Food Chain, Slutty Vegan!
Food Tech Company, Armored Fresh, continues their US expansion with their debut into the food service industry with vegan fast-food chain, Slutty Vegan. The rapidly growing restaurant chain selected Armored Fresh’s Almond Milk American Slices to top their delicious meatless burgers and sandwiches, adding the same delicious taste, aroma, consistency, meltability as dairy cheese, which has long been considered technically difficult to implement in the vegan industry. As culinary disruptors in the vegan food industry, the pairing of Armored fresh and Slutty Vegan is a natural progression for both companies. Slutty Vegan has revolutionized vegan food culture by creating one-of-a-kind dishes adored by plant-based and meat-eaters alike, with celebrity fans including Snoop Dogg, Jermaine Dupri, Taraji P. Henson, Tyler Perry, and Queen Latifah. Slutty Vegan is making plant-based eating accessible, and delicious, and is proud to incorporate Armored Fresh’s American Slices in their cheeseburgers, which has proven to be a hit with their customers. According to YouGov’s poll of more than 9,000 Americans, 67% said cheese is the most popular burger topping (Source: YouGovAmerica). Armored Fresh is meeting this demand with a delicious almond-milk based alternative that is better for people and the planet.
Through Armored Fresh’s research and development, the Almond Milk American Slices are sustainably crafted using an innovative formulation of plant based lactic acid, almond milk, and protein. Armored Fresh’s plant-based cheese has not only gained the attention of Slutty Vegan, but also consumers and investors at several large-scale trade shows, including CES, and funding of $23M to date. Armored Fresh, who is currently in 170 markets, is excited to bring their innovation to Slutty Vegan’s one-of-a-kind menu, which features plant-based patties, bratwurst, chicken, and vegan shrimp, bringing healthy and delicious alternatives to those avoiding meat. From a poll done in 2020 by ‘The Daily Meal’, 74% of Americans want a slice or two of cheese on their burger, and Armored Fresh is thrilled to provide their meltable American Slices at Slutty Vegan. Armored Fresh’s involvement with the popular restaurant chain follows the announcement of their online storefronts on ArmoredFresh.com and Amazon, offering nationwide shipping.
Rudy Yoo, Founder and CEO of Armored Fresh said, “We are honored that Slutty Vegan selected Armored Fresh to top their carefully curated vegan burgers. With a mission to support our community and dedication to making plant- based alternatives accessible at the forefront of both brands, the partnership was a perfect match.”
Armored Fresh is excited to enter the food service industry, as now more than ever restaurants in the US seek to apply plant-based alternative diets on their menu. In the last four years, plant-based menu items have increased by more than 60%, and in 2025 plant-based items are anticipated to be found on over 40% of restaurant menus (Source: Datassential).
In addition to Slutty Vegan, Armored Fresh is available in over 100 regional supermarkets including Kroger, Key Foods, Met Fresh, C Town, City Acres, & Associated stores throughout Manhattan and Brooklyn, and launching soon on ArmoredFresh.com and Amazon.
About Armored Fresh:
Armored Fresh is the #1 Food Tech company in South Korea specializing in alternative dairy products. Armored Fresh’s innovative approach to plant-based cheese prioritizes consumers’ well-being + environmental footprint. At Armored Fresh, they make almond milk cheese that tastes great. Through their products, they are dedicated to protecting people and the environment with one tasty bite at a time. Better Choice. Greater Impact.
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Show Your Love with a Homemade Mother’s Day Dinner Featuring Mouthwatering Etto Pasta
Mother’s Day is the perfect opportunity to show your mom just how much she means to you. Give the gift of Italian tradition and quality this year with Etto pasta. Made from high-quality semolina flour, Etto pasta is handmade using traditional techniques that have been passed down for generations. Their pasta comes in a variety of unique shapes and flavors, including squid ink and truffle, allowing you to create delicious and authentic Italian dishes that will impress even the most discerning palates. Etto’s commitment to quality and sustainability means you can feel good about giving this gift, knowing that you are supporting a company that cares about the environment and the communities it serves. Surprise your mom with the gift of authentic Italian cuisine this Mother’s Day with Etto pasta.
pronunciation: ca-za-REH-chay
Casarecce means “homemade” in Italian. It was a relatively easy pasta shape to make in the home. The slightly twisted S shaped pasta is great for fresh, chunky sauces.
One of ETTO’s favorite sauces is a Sugo di Cinghale which is a tomato based sauce with wild boar.
Recipe – Casarecce With Pesto Trapanese
Prep Time: 15 Minutes
Cook Time: 10 Minutes
Serves: 4-6 Servings
This dish is just as good served at room temperature as it is warm. It is great alone as a main course or alongside grilled chicken or sausages. Basil is a loved alternative as the main focus of this sauce. There is a lovely umami taste to the sauce.
Ingredients
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16 toasted whole almonds
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Kosher salt
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4 cloves garlic
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½ cup Italian parsley
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½ cup basil leaves
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1lb fresh cherry tomatoes or one 28oz can whole peeled tomatoes, liquid drained
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1lb Etto Dried Casarecce Pasta
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6oz good quality olive oil
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¼ cup grated parmesan
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¼ cup grated pecorino romano
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Freshly ground pepper
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Flaky sea salt, for serving
Preparation
Step 1
In a food processor, add almonds and a pinch of salt. Pulse until a coarse paste forms. Add the garlic and blend into the paste. Then add the parsley and basil and blend to combine, followed by the tomatoes.
Step 2
Gently incorporate olive oil by pulsing it into the sauce, followed by the cheese. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Step 3
Meanwhile, bring 4 quarts of water with 1tbl kosher salt to boil in a large pot. Cook casarecce to al dente according to package directions. Drain pasta reserving about ½ cup starchy cooking water.
Step 4
Transfer sauce to a large bowl. Add pasta and toss to coat, adding pasta water if necessary to loosen up the sauce. Divide among bowls and garnish with more herbs, salt, and cheese.
Brian & Stephie Terrizi of Giornata Wines produce their pure Etto Pastificio American craft pasta in Paso Robles, in California’s Central Coast wine country. Featured at their own Etto Pasta Bar as well as at dozens of restaurants throughout California, Etto uses only organically farmed American grains extruded through traditional bronze dies from Italy. Etto pasta is high in protein, low in sugar, has terrific flavor and the sensuous shapes have made Etto the healthy carb of choice among pasta fanatics around the country. Through a program called “Pasta for the People,” Etto has donated over 25,000 portions of pasta to help fight food insecurity in school districts throughout California’s Central Coast.
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Give the Gift of Health and Wellness to Mom this Mother’s Day with MacroLife
Mother’s Day is about a month away and it’s the perfect opportunity to show your appreciation and love for the special woman in your life. Give the gift of health and vitality this Mother’s Day with MacroLife – a brand that is committed to providing high-quality, organic superfoods that are packed with essential nutrients and antioxidants. Their products are designed to boost energy, enhance immunity, and support overall well-being, making them the perfect gift for the health-conscious mom who wants to stay on top of her game.
While other companies may come and go, MacroLife has been in the SuperFoods industry for over 25 years. Their legacy brand has always had one goal – to help people in their health and wellness journeys. Try something from their fantastic line of products and find out how you can be adding a little to your day, and a lot to your life!
MacroLife is a certified-woman and family owned legacy brand that helped to start the superfood category 25 years ago. They are known for award-winning, delicious, and nutrient packed greens and fruit-based superfood powders that feed the body at the cellular level and fill in nutritional gaps in the diet. All products address a balanced microbiome by providing billions of probiotics and other nutrients that reduce bloating. Products include: Macro Greens, Miracle Reds, Kids Coco Greens, MacroPets, and MacroMeal, a time-released protein powder. All products are made in the USA in a cGMP & FDA certified manufacturing facility.
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From superfood powders to protein bars, MacroLife has a wide range of products to choose from, making it easy to find the perfect gift for any mom. Give the gift of health this Mother’s Day with MacroLife, and show your mom just how much you care.
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