Grab & Goat

Did you all stop by South Congress Market yesterday?! 🙋 That pig was so good!

We`re not gatekeeping this one! 👇 You need to know this Hilltoppers...

Since 1999, our goal has been for operators to spend at least 20% of their annual food budgets on ingredients produced by small, owner-operated farms, ranches, and artisan food businesses located within 150 miles of their kitchens, a program we call Farm to Fork!

25 years later, we`ve learned so much about how to forge meaningful, lasting relationships with local partners and are sharing our findings to improve local food purchasing outcomes throughout the industry! Although you can check out the full paper "Sowing Success: Local Food Purchasing Insights from 25 Years of the Farm to Fork Program" at the link in our bio, here are three of our main takeaways:

1️⃣ Cultivate strong relationships between farmers, chefs, and guests. Reliable local supply chains and guest awareness of local food systems are key to attaining local sourcing goals.

2️⃣ Source ingredients year-round to raise local purchasing percentages (without breaking the bank)! Purchasing higher volume products used year-round like chicken or coffee removes logistical barriers of rotating seasonal products. (But note that local food does not require larger food budgets according to our findings!)

3️⃣ Embrace what makes your local food system unique. There are always ways to support local producers, regardless of the length of the growing season in your region.

#EatLocal #EatLocalChallenge #FarmToFork #SupportLocalFarms #LocalSourcing ...

Hilltoppers, did you know that chickpeas are one of the newest plant-based food trends? Not just because they are inexpensive!, but the buzz on the block is that they might just be another trend. 🤫

What does the science say about it?
One cup contains 15 grams of plant-based protein, 12 grams of fiber, 25% of your daily iron needs, 70% of your folate needs, and 20% of your magnesium needs, along with a number of other important vitamins and minerals.

Eating chickpeas may improve blood sugar control, digestive health, and cholesterol.

Garbanzo beans and their flour are staples in numerous cuisines:
1️⃣ French Socca
2️⃣ Indian chana masala
3️⃣ Spanish garbanzos con espinacas
4️⃣ Palestinian balilah
5️⃣ North African fried, spiced chickpeas
(And the list goes on and on...)

Chickpeas are truly versatile:
👉 Blend them with broth to add creaminess to soups or sauces
👉 Air fry or roast for a crispy snack
👉 Bake with flour for a protein-packed, gluten-free option
(And the list goes on and on... 😉)

What`s the takeaway?
Chickpeas have staying power. They are versatile, nutritious, and cost effective!

If chickpeas are one of the top three ingredients in a food item, they are probably adding to the nutritional value of the food. But be wary of health claims and read labels to fully understand what you`re eating.

#TheBuzz #PlantBasedProtein #GlutenFreeBaking #FoodTrends ...

Hilltoppers, Do you want to save money while eating something delicious? Count us in! 🙋‍♀️ Turn your leftover bread into a berry bread pudding.

Makes 12 servings

INGREDIENTS
6 cups bread (pro tip: leftovers are best, and you can save and keep bread refrigerated until ready to use)
8 eggs
1 quart milk
1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 cup sugar
1-1/4 cups frozen berries (or other fruit as desired)
Cooking spray

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Cut or tear the bread into 3-inch pieces. On a baking sheet, toast the bread for 6-8 minutes.

In a large bowl, combine the eggs, milk, vanilla, and sugar. Mix well. Fold in the toasted bread and fruit. Refrigerate for 1 hour to allow the liquid to fully absorb.

Transfer the bread pudding mix to a 9x13 inch baking dish sprayed with cooking spray. Cover with foil and bake for 50 minutes or until the custard has set and the bread pudding is slightly firm to the touch. Remove from oven and cool slightly before serving.

Optional: Serve topped with additional fruit, Greek yogurt, ice cream, or whipped topping.

#FightFoodWaste #FoodWasteRecipes #BreadPuddingRecipe #ZeroWasteKitchen #EasyDesserts #FoodWasteSolutions ...