Right in the heart of West Chester, small restaurants and businesses have been serving their customers in environmentally-conscious ways. It is a common conception in the world of sustainability to buy locally-grown foods or even grow produce in our own backyards. There are multiple benefits in the health of humans and the environment from sourcing ingredients in the simplest, shortest and freshest of ways.
Eating local food provides fresher meals and seasonal and long-lasting produce, with positive environmental impacts: by supporting small farms and thus supporting small businesses, consuming local food helps to support careful farming methods that are often used by small scale farmers. Usually, they avoid use of harmful pesticides that can pollute other species and waterways surrounding crops, and composting methods can be used to return nutrients into the soil through the process of decomposition — maintaining healthy soil and a closed cycle of recycled plant material. As opposed to industrialized farming methods commonly used by giant food corporations when transporting aging produce miles across the country to supermarkets, local farming methods keep a variety of different plants nearby to grow an assortment of crop yield that feeds the bulk of their local customers, thus, lessening everyone’s carbon footprints, preventing contamination and promoting variety.
In the very heart of West Chester, Pennsylvania, the Couch Tomato café uses as many locally-grown ingredients as they possibly can. Not only do they appeal to their gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian eaters with their customized orders, but they inform the public eye of what farm locations they get their produce, meats and cheeses. Their foods are Fair Trade certified, organic and natural due to their origins. On West Market Street, this little café with a beautiful landing of rooftop seating has hung a homey chalkboard sign of every local vendor for each basic ingredient, most of which are locally-grown (all but strawberries that are indeed from Driscoll’s). If I do say so myself, their garlic knots hit the spot and even come in a gluten-free option, which my sister was pleased to hear about. From watching the wonderful workers at the front counter scoop chopped avocado and crispy green lettuce, it was clear to see that West Chester is full of food spots like the Couch Tomato where environmentally-beneficial meals can be sought out. The Couch Tomato also makes it their priority — along with a second location in Manayunk — to align with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. They donate to Philabundance, a non-profit food bank that serves the Philadelphia and Delaware regions with the goal to fight against hunger and food waste. It is clear the goals of serving and impacting the overall health and well-being of their people and their home is well and alive.
With a similar gusto of growing seasonal vegetables, the people at the West Chester Growers Market are providing locally-grown offerings in their vast array of grocery options. The West Chester Growers’ Market is the county’s only produce-focused market and is located in downtown West Chester, PA. It is made up of a collective of dozens of vendors, which create, plant, grow, harvest and bake all kinds of breads, produce, cheeses, baked goods, flowers and fruit. With conveniently accessible stations and open-air invitation, this farmers market also gages a sense of community. Established in 1995, their goal is to bring the public quality foods at a seasonal time. With their motto to “shake the hand that feeds you,” reconnecting each of our plates to nature’s bounty is a phenomenon making its way closer into the center of the vibrant town of West Chester.
Climate change is the most daunting issue looming in the minds of college students and average citizens today. In a place where all ages and backgrounds of people contribute to a community, food is the commonality that bonds us all to the kinds of successful and potential solutions that local farming holds. With a rise of popularity, it is with high hopes that each café and farmers market is backed with a tremendous amount of support, demand and love from those who achieve, believe in and see first hand the power of eating and growing local food.
Kristine Kearns is a first-year English major with minors in Creative Writing and Sustainability. KK947319@wcupa.edu