Struggling to finalize a recipe for the contest? Need a little inspiration for your challenge? Eat Local Utah knows how to help you! This week we are featuring not just one local producer, but four. All of which can be utilized during your Eat Local Challenge, or in a recipe submission for the Eat Local Week Recipe Contest!
La Nay Ferme
From the experience of volunteering for a local Utah County CSA and the drive to find fresh local products was the inspiration for the creation of this farm. La Nay Ferme is a farm located in Provo, UT and has been efficiently running since its opening in April 2013. Clinton, the owner, created this biodynamic farm that produces nine months out of the year - a real challenge with the Wasatch Front climate. Biodynamic means that everything on the farm goes back into the farm which creates a beautifully sustainable cycle that omits the need to bring anything in from outside sources. The return of this process ensures the soil is retaining its nutrients year after year. The farm also helps educate the public on where food is actually coming from as well as the significance local food has on the body. And - they grow everything from peaches to kale! La Nay Ferme champions the idea that in order to support local, the community needs to buy local. So put your wallet where your mouth is! Sign up for a CSA share to receive weekly produce, or place an order through their website and pick up directly from the farm. You can also find their produce in the Real Foods markets across the Wasatch Front. LaNayFerme.com
Chili Beak
Think you can handle the heat? Then be on the look out for Utah's own local chili oil - Chili Beak. The couple that handcrafts the product was born into the spicy realm. Jason is from Texas and Giselle is from Mexico and their combined heritage has led to the creation of this one of a kind product! Most hot sauces are vinegar based with less focus on the pepper flavor. So, instead of making their sauce comparable, they focus on drying their peppers to create a warm roasted pepper aroma. The drive to add rich, strong flavor in turn gives the oil more smokiness. You can put this hot sauce on anything you may use with sriracha, Tabasco, or Cholula! “Family is important to us” Giselle says, “How do we bring family together for food? How can we help people?” A goal of their product is to challenge people to connect. If you want some inspiration on how Chili Beak is being used, you can find it all over the Salt Lake Valley. Over 15 restaurants are using the chili oil in their food including: Current, Avenue’s Bistro, Finca, Bistro 222, Beer Bar and more. You can also find their oils in stores like Harmon’s or Liberty Heights Fresh - or at the farmers market! ChiliBeak.com
Solstice Spice
Urban farming duo brings spices to Utah! This couple has been urban farming and selling at local farmer's markets for over seven years. They began making spices as an experiment and would give portions to family as presents. The feedback was tremendous! Thus the realization for a local spice, where all of the ingredients come from Utah local farmers, was the basis for this product. Every year, the herbs for the spices are grown all over the Salt Lake Valley. What the couple does not grow in their own gardens for the spices, they buy from local Utah farmers. The cultivation of all the produce comes next , then off to the smoker before making its last stop at the dehydrator! All of this hard work is done by hand with lots of love. Try one of their six flavors with any recipe! Buy their spices from the Murray Farmer Market or through their Etsy shop page. They are also available at The Store, Urban Farm and Feed, or Liberty Heights Fresh. SolsticeSpices.com
Polka Beans
Polka Bean's product's came from the idea that delicious dishes can and should be made for people with even the most severe food allergies. Since beans aren't a common allergen, Wendy, the creator, saw a need for prepared food items that typically contained common allergens, like wheat and nuts, made from beans! Wendy has been dabbling with bean recipes for years, and the demand for her bean products from coworkers and friends led to the start of her booming business. She officially started selling her products locally at the beginning of farmer's market season. Her products range from chocolate hummus to marinated lemon garlic chickie beans (garbanzo beans). Beans are the most underrated produce item in Wendy's book. Her goal is to motivate everyone to try beans in a variety of dishes, whether it be a dessert or entree. Find these unique bean products at local farmer's markets. Polka Bean updates where they will be every week or you can place your order right through their Facebook page.
Now that you are familiar with 4 more local producers to help you with the challenge - there is no excuse not to pledge. Also - use any of these products in your recipe for the contest for the chance to win a Blendtec Blender ($400 value) and an appearance on Fox 13'S The Place! We can't wait to see what you have in store!