Your Villa Magazine - Desert Cities -July-September - 2022

the soul. By choosing to dine at Farm to Table eateries, customers are adopting a lifestyle. One steeped in wellness. Our Coachella Valley Farm to Table restaurants are thriving today because they are much more than a food culture or concept restaurant…they are part of a social revolution. Want to be part of this healthy, sustainable and community based “revolution”? Choose from these local Farm to Table establishments: Wildest Restaurant and Bar, Palm Desert, CA La Spiga, Palm Desert, CA Birba, Palm Springs, CA Farm, Palm Springs, CA D I N I N G + E N T E R T A I N M E N T Welcome to the Table Though the dining style of Farm to Table or sometimes called, Farm to Fork may seem “newish” to you... this movement actually originated with a female chef in Berkley, California back in 1971. by Elizabeth Scarcella Yet, many people connect this movement’s recent popularity to the rising awareness of climate change and animal rights. However, Farm to Table has much deeper roots than just these two environmental reasons. Ever since the advent of the TV dinner, which became available in 1954, America’s food continues to be more processed than ever. Although fast and convenient, non fresh food has cost us our well-being, both physically, environmentally and emotionally. Since the Farm to Table movement emerged traveling throughout the globe, it has gained forward traction. Very fortunately, Farm to Table is reversing the ill effects that quick and convenient foods have caused. There are three primary ways that this movement is engendering wellness. 1. Sustainability and Environmental Consciousness With the rising prices of gasoline, we are looking at means to conserve energy…eating Farm to Table answers this concern. When eating in this style, local produce, meat and fish is regionally sourced which means the food is transported only a short distance. This requires less fuel and emissions used in getting the ingredients to the restaurant. In addition, we are then supporting local farmers and their families by ensuring that their crops will be purchased and consumed by the community. This is a win-win for the farm, restaurant and customer knowing that the customer is eating the freshest food, the restaurant is serving sustainably responsible ingredients and the farm has a guaranteed revenue stream. These local farms naturally practice sustainable agriculture which reduces greenhouse gasses, creating a minimal impact on the environment with maximum yield to the local farm. When growers sell to big commercial warehouses, most of their profits are stripped. For every dollar spent on food, the farmer keeps a paltry 17.4 cents. Whereas, when a restaurant buys direct, 90 cents per dollar is retained by the farmer. 2. Optimally Healthy and Food Safety Diners are more discerning than ever about the quality of food they are consuming. Farm to Table typically offers organic produce, free range livestock and wild caught fish and seafood. Because these foods are so fresh, they are packed with nutrients and flavors, where shelf stable foods lose up to 75% of their nutrition 48 hours after being picked. Because of the local ingredients that are used, the menu for most Farm to Table restaurants changes regularly, removing the need to accept out of season ingredients. This helps to ensure that food safety is at a premium. Also, these fresh ingredients contain fewer calories and less sugar and fat than pre- packaged foods. 3. Community and Acceptance The Farm to Table movement fosters a sense of community. As a diner, you made the choice to support a local business that is sourcing their products from a local grower. That spirit of collective synergy brings a upbeat nuance to the dining establishment. In communal dining, everyone in the restaurant… from the guests to the dishwashers, holding a spirit of acceptance of all people and choices. “Let’s celebrate is the vibe we serve”, says Charissa Farley, co-owner of Wildest Restaurant & Bar. A “joie de vivre” of sorts “We strive to generate a feeling of inclusion-a sensitivity spread across all people and preferences. Let’s do this all together. If one guest is vegan and the other a carnivore…great! We love to see diners of all types enjoying their preferred style together”, she explains. Food is not just used as a means of survival, but a way to connect with others while sharing a common interest. Dining together provokes conversation that might not have occurred otherwise. As we accept the food & drink preferences of our fellow diner, we open ourselves to deeper understanding of our companion’s philosophies and perspectives. We create the opportunity to appreciate our similarities and our differences. Stories shared about memories surrounding food tend to surface when dining together, which gives us a deeper insight into each other’s lives. In essence, eating food together encourages us to open up and share authentically from the heart. As food nourishes the body, conversation nourishes Elizabeth Scarcella, ABD, FDN-P, EFT, EMDR, C.HT, a Stress and Anxiety Expert, helps female professionals build resilience in order to become calm, confident and capable. For consultation, reach her at (407) 310-5228. 30 | YourVilla Magazine