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Independence, MO —
To the editor:
I grow herbs. Not as a business, but because I like the flavor fresh herbs impart to the food. I don’t grow many, usually a little basil, some thyme, a couple of rosemary plants and oregano. On a normal year I have enough for my use and a share for a few friends. On a good year I might go to the farmers market, but since I can’t drive, that’s a hassle.
Anyway, this year I have a bumper crop of Greek oregano, so I thought perhaps I could sell a bit to a local restaurant. I contacted the chef at one of our local establishments and was told he wasn’t allowed to use local vendors. That kind of ticked me off. This company expects me, a local vendor, to patronize his business and buy and use his product, but he isn’t allowed to reciprocate? Well, the owners of that business needn’t expect me to be spending much time in their dining room.
I don’t know if all the restaurants in town have the same policy, and I realize if they do I can’t very well boycott every eating establishment in Independence, but as I discover more spots with this aversion to local produce, I will be increasing my “don’t buy” list and doing more of my dining in my own dining room.
To the editor:
I grow herbs. Not as a business, but because I like the flavor fresh herbs impart to the food. I don’t grow many, usually a little basil, some thyme, a couple of rosemary plants and oregano. On a normal year I have enough for my use and a share for a few friends. On a good year I might go to the farmers market, but since I can’t drive, that’s a hassle.
Anyway, this year I have a bumper crop of Greek oregano, so I thought perhaps I could sell a bit to a local restaurant. I contacted the chef at one of our local establishments and was told he wasn’t allowed to use local vendors. That kind of ticked me off. This company expects me, a local vendor, to patronize his business and buy and use his product, but he isn’t allowed to reciprocate? Well, the owners of that business needn’t expect me to be spending much time in their dining room.
I don’t know if all the restaurants in town have the same policy, and I realize if they do I can’t very well boycott every eating establishment in Independence, but as I discover more spots with this aversion to local produce, I will be increasing my “don’t buy” list and doing more of my dining in my own dining room.
