It's about the ingredients, Silly.

In our house, we don't use the other word.

Posting about my effort to get local tomatoes has me thinking more about the rest of my shopping for the business. One day, back in July, I drove nearly a full day. From Columbus, I went through a driving rain storm (the last for more than a month) to Elwood, Indiana and Red Gold. Two days a week, they sell direct at one of their warehouses. I bought a variety of second choices. My preferred cans weren't available, #10 cans of crushed. So, I got 4 cases of a couple types. It was cheap AND somewhat lo cal, but I really needed a better way, since I could only get the size and quantity I needed by driving up there and being lucky. The products I wanted are undisclosed private labels not sold here. BUT it's a great experience. If you have a free day, try it. The schedule is on RedGold.com.

From there, I headed north to Berne. Berne is to Switzerland as Frankenmuth, MI is to Germany-land at Epcot Center, only less so. It's not as touristy except during their annual festival. On the north side of Berne is Swissland Cheese. From what I can piece together, Swissland contracts milk from Amish dairies in the region and makes delicious cheese. Their most popular cheeses, just like the cheese shop in Frankenmuth, are heavily flavored or smoked. Cheese spreads, chocolate cheese and curds seem to be the main tourist fodder. Having their commercial catalog let me preorder about 60 pounds of other cheese, though. I bought a few cases of a shredded blend for most of the pizzas. I grabbed a 6# block of smoked Gouda that was still warm from the smoker. Asiago, Gouda, assorted curds, and raw milk chipotle goat cheddar. I filled my coolers and headed home. Again, I think this is an awesome place.

When I got home, I was slightly disappointed to read that my "conventional cheese" originated in Camden, MI. Disappointed because I was aiming for an Indiana pizza. Not so much because it was still close and not Wisconsin, Vermont, or California. I spent some summers near Camden. Shoot, I helped birth cows at a dairy near there while working at camp. Add that they would deliver to me for $25 if I ordered enough and that it cost a quarter of what the local maker of mozzarella wants for non shredded cheese, it was a deal. It still is. su

I had planned to pick up flour near Howe that same day, but time and weather were against me. That's a whole different story for another time. One thing I learned was just how important ingredient integrity is to me. It has been a priority to be able to say with certainty where the food I serve comes from and to know that the farmers, laborers and even the companies along the way have a fair, equitable share of the rewards. We're getting there.