Living la vida local

Most of us have all seen the Marblehead Chamber of Commerce “Keep it Local” buttons around town, and they are sending a great and easy message, but a message that can often slip out of our minds. We are so fortunate to be in a town that provides so many quality services: a plethora of food and spirit establishments, clothing, financial services, florists, books, furniture, auto repair, travel, independently owned movie rental store (not many towns can boast that!) and many more services are all available within minutes.

But you don’t have to stop there. Within many of these stores, you can find products made by other local companies. We’ve been having a great time lately bringing Marbleheaders closer to all the deliciousness that New England has to offer. As a family-owned local food and wine store, it’s a natural fit for us. What’s more, food and drink have become a focal point of the “Buy Local” movement, and with good reason.

Most people associate the recent push for local foods with protecting the environment from the dangers of industrial agriculture, but it’s really about so much more than that. It’s about taking better care of our bodies through a healthy diet. It’s about loving the freshness and seasonality of our foods. And it’s about fostering and supporting a healthy and vibrant local community. After all, what better way is there to bring people together than with wonderful food and drinks? Creating a communal table in Marblehead is what we love to do, and that’s why we love local foods.

With that in mind, we thought we’d use this post to highlight some of our local food finds and wine wonders that are made right here in the state and the New England area. Enjoy!

Rao’s Roasting Coffee Co, Hadley, MA: Wake up the right way with hand-roasted coffee beans. We stock over ten varieties on our shelf and always have a fresh pot of French Roast brewing in our bakery for you.

Sweet Adeline’s, Salem, MA: Many of you have already fallen for Sweet Adeline’s Midnight Chocolate Chip Brownies and we can’t blame you. Not too sweet and perfectly moist. Her walnut brownies, citrus sugar cookies, molasses cookies and tea cookies are equally delectable!

Other local bakers we love to support: A & J King, Nashoba Brook, Iggy’s, Sun Ray

Batch Ice Cream, Jamaica Plains, MA: Natural, organic and local ingredients are the stars of this local frozen find sure to please any ice cream lover. Salted Caramel ice cream? That’s just cruel!

Other local sweet companies we love to support: Lizzy’s Ice Cream, Effie’s Homemade, Harbor Sweets, Lark Fine Foods, Salty Oats

Westfield Farm Capri Goat Cheese Logs, Hubbardston, MA: Creamy and tangy goat cheese logs. Plain or garlic and herb

Other local farms we love to support: Jasper Hill, Maplebrook, Grafton Farm, Shelburne Farm, Great Hill Farm, Blue Ledge Farm.

Isaaks of Salem, Salem/Beverly, MA: Many of you joined us for our mead tasting last month and hope more of you are intrigued by this new local company producing an old, traditional libation—wine made from fermented honey.

Other local spirit distillers, brewers and winemakers companies we love to support: Ryan and Wood Distilleries, Cody Brewing Company, Cisco Brewing Co, Narragansett Brewing Co., Westport Rivers Winery

All of these local companies are small operations and are so appreciative of your support. And we all realize that we would not be here without you. We’re not saying you should never leave Marblehead, but hope that you can see how much is available right at your fingertips (we’re not talking about your computer). We shop local, so you can too.