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Local Product of the Month: Nila’s Chutneys

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From their Website: Nila has been making chutneys for over 30 years for family and friends, and for the last few years we have been adapting chutneys to use with western foods and cooking methods.  Our move to New England inspired Nila to start using local ingredients, such as rhubarb and blueberries, not found in India to broaden our horizons and create new tastes and recipes.  Nila’s Chutneys was recently featured in the Keene Sentinel’s Food Section & the Ledger Transcript.

Available at the Hannah Grimes Marketplace

Nila & Roy of Nila's Chutneys at MFCC's 2009 Matchmaker Event: Connecting With Local Producers

Farm Partner of the Month: Elm City Restaurant & Brewery

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By Jan Sevene, Monadnock Localvore Project

Elm City Restaurant & Brewery
Debra Rivest
Colony Mill Marketplace
222 West Street
Keene, New Hampshire 03431
603-355-3335

As purveyors, farmers appreciate support from related businesses-our local restaurants. An increasing number are taking advantage of the wonderful fresh meats and produce available in our community. Elm City Restaurant and Brewery in Keene is proud to be one of them. Owner Debra Rivest claims the benefits work both ways.

“If you do the right thing, it will come back to you,” Rivest says. “It’s worked out for us, as well.” She-who has sought local products for years-believes in buying local for two major reasons: 1) to support other local businesses, and 2) “…a huge reason,” to improve the environment, minimizing the impact of long-distance buying, and supporting those farmers applying sustainable business practices. {Elm City Restaurants is also a member of Monadnock Buy Local -ed.}

Just a few examples of Elm City Restaurant and Brewery’s support: its coffee is purchased at Prime Roast, whose aromatic imported beans are roasted right here in Keene.  “All spreads are made here. Our seasonal berries are from Monadnock Berries in nearby Troy, New Hampshire. “Some are from my own backyard,” Rivest says. She loves hearing from people excited about the food. One usual customer comment is, “I love that maple vinaigrette dressing!” Her standard reply, “You know that was made here with a local product (in this case, syrup from Stuart & John’s Sugar House in Westmoreland).” Peaches and apples are the fall focus. Look for seasonal specials that feature these fruits.

Bo-Riggs/Sullivan, beef burgers; Echo Farm/Hinsdale, pudding; Hijinks Farm/Jaffrey, vegetables; Hodge Podge Farm/Gilsum, eggs; and Tracie’s Community Farm/ Fitzwilliam, herbs and vegetables, are just a few of many farms that supply local restaurants. By supporting these restaurants, you support your farmers and your community. If there is a favorite local food you’d like to see on their menus, let them know.

Other restaurants serving local food:

Fritz Belgian Fries
45 Main Street
Keene, NH 03431
603-357-6393
www.fritzbelgianfriesrestaurantnightlife.com

The Fitzwilliam Inn
62 NH Rte. 119 W
Fitzwilliam, NH 03447
(603) 585-9000
www.fitzwilliaminn.com

Sunflowers
21 Main Street
Jaffrey NH 03452
603-593-3303
sunflowers@webryders.net

The Inn at East Hill Farm
460 Monadnock St.
Troy, NH 03465
603-242-6495
www.east-hill-farm.com

Getting Local on the Menu

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Many of us would love to see more local food on the menu of the restaurants we know and love. And many chefs and business owners support buying local and could use your support and encouragement!

The September 2010 Monadnock Localvore E-Newsletter highlights both local and national initiatives that are encouraging us all to choose locally grown food when we eat out. By 2011, let’s make sure Monadnock Region Restaurants are acknowledged for “Getting Local on the Menu.”