Tastemakers: Local organic tomatoes/Tsingtao

June 22, 2008

Local Organic Tomatoes

By now everyone has heard about the latest vegetable to fall victim to a bacteria outbreak. A friend of mine called me recently to let me know that he had been to a fast food restaurant. The establishment had a sign up that it was temporarily not serving tomatoes and apologizing for the inconvenience. My friend asked if they were discounting the burger, only to have the manager respond that tomatoes were an insignificant cost to the whole sandwich.
Wow, maybe if these fast food joints and chain operations bought produce from their backyard, it would be more significant.
It seems our desire to get things quickly and inexpensively is starting to catch up with us. I am so grateful for the farmers’ markets and the roadside farm markets that are now open. It is very refreshing to know where my food is coming from. I ask now, to the point of embarrassing my family when we dine out. I want to know where my food is coming from. I applaud restaurants that are identifying their sources of food and trying to buy as much local as possible.
The good folks at Pond Hill Farm near Harbor Springs e-mailed me last week to let me know that in a couple of weeks they will have their fresh homegrown tomatoes available. Pond Hill has lots of homegrown, organically grown produce and they raise hormone free and antibiotic free organic meats as well. It is definitely worth the trip. For their location and product list, go to pondhill.com or call them: 231.526.3276. Make sure this summer you are supporting your local farmer because they might just save your life.


Tsingtao

This summer the world will be focused on China as it plays host to the Summer Olympics. Much of the western media focus has been on China’s handling of Tibet and its own people. But despite a few politidiots running the country, the Chinese are great people, who have a great beer tradition. Sure,when you think beer, you think Milwaukee or Germany but the Chinese also love their beer. In fact one of the best beer festivals in the world takes place in China.
The Qingdao International Beer Festival takes place the second week of August and last 16 days, and it all happens at Beer City, China. It is the biggest festival of any kind in China and attracts beer enthusiasts from all over the world. This year the festival will be in October so not to conflict with the Olympics. Friends who have been (I have not) have told me this shows the spirit of the Chinese people at their best, “kindhearted and giving.”
Behind the festival is the Chinese brewery Tsingtao. The 95 year old brewery is the number one selling beer in China and has developed a worldwide following. The brewery is also one the major sponsors of the Summer Olympics. For an everyday thirst-quenching macrobrew, this is a good one.
China has a great beer heritage. If you are traveling there for the Olympics or just a vacation, seek out their brews. They even have micros and brewpubs. Tsingtao is available throughout Northern Michigan.