When Big Bowl wanted to serve more locally grown fruits and vegetables, it turned to a small farmer last year and planted a big order: The chef selected and paid $15,000 for heirloom seeds.
In addition to the bounty of fresh bok choy, garlic and lettuce, Big Bowl reaped a discount for the summer. It was a healthy deal too for La Fox-based Heritage Prairie Farm.
Throughout the growing season, Big Bowl employees helped out on the farm, hoeing, weeding and transplanting crops.
"These farmers need enough buy-in to make it work," said Danny McGowan, president of the Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises chain, which has eight restaurants and 12 express locations. "And lots of farms can't get a small-biz loan to get started."
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