Why buy local, artisanal or handmade foods? Most packaged foods in stores include fruit, veggie, or chemical ingredients grown or manufactured in many different parts of the world. It is likely not shocking for most Angelenos to go to their ‘local’ Ralphs or Trader Joe’s and see tomatoes from Mexico, coffee from Kenya, or blueberries from Chile. When you buy something produced in one or more different countries, it takes a huge amount of energy to ship products back and forth around the world, literally releasing TONS of pollution into the air. Artisanal often means that you are getting the best ingredients or inputs into the product you are using, since someone who considers their product a craft generally tries to infuse it with the best.
This weekend there is a festival specifically selling foods, beverages and goods produced locally in Los Angeles. While there may perhaps be some internationally sourced ingredients (like cocoa), many of the vendors emphasize local-ingredient-sourcing in addition to local production of their goods. So, shop local for the holidays!
This weekend Artisanal LA is organizing a Holiday Pop-Up Shop featuring more than 50 vendors. Goodies for sale include jams, cupcakes, soaps, sauces, wine and spirits! Vendors participating in the Altadena Urban Farmers Market will be present and the event will feature free demos and workshops from the Institute of Domestic Technology.
The Holiday Pop-Up Shop sets up at the Armory Center for Art in Pasadena this Sunday, December 11th from 10 – 6 pm, so you will have all day to get your locavore groove on. It costs only $5 to get in, with part of the proceeds going to support the Armory. If you are one of the first 500 folks to buy tickets online, you will receive a free tote bag.
The Armory Center just so happens to be located around the corner from the Metro Gold Line Memorial Park Station, so event organizers are advocating that people take public transit. And, if you plan to eat at the Pop-Up shop, take your own cutlery (fork, knife, spoon), cup and plate to minimize waste even more! Sounds good to me! :)
Artisanal LA is a community event celebrating the finest local, sustainable and handmade edibles of Los Angeles. Taste, shop, sample and learn while supporting the local economy and local artisanal vendors!
