By Seth Helton
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wkms/local-wkms-976877.mp3
Murray, KY – A recent report from the Kentucky Farm Bureau that shows record high food prices, affects every day shoppers and restaurants alike. Seth Helton has this report on a how a Murray restaurant and local farm have forged a unique partnership to bring local food to patrons and charitable donations to those in need.
At the surface, Boulders Smokehouse Catering and Deli looks like any restaurant. You walk to the counter, place your order and patiently wait to be served. Behind that counter, however, Boulder's differences become apparent. Manager Nathanial Luffman points to the plastic cutlery behind the register. It appears to be the ordinary plastic cups and knives you would find at any fast-food restaurant, but looks can be deceiving.
"Sugar, sugar, sugar, sugar. Bamboo, recycled paper, more bamboo. This is recycled plastic and this is cornstarch. It's corn, it grows in a field."
The emphasis on environmentally-conscious business practices expands beyond the cutlery. Everything that keeps Boulders running, from the dishwasher to the smoker, is engineered to leave as little an impact on the environment as possible. Their philosophy of sustainability begins before the food even arrives in their kitchen.
"One of the things that we try and constantly put at the core of our business model is working in tandem and in partnership with the community whenever we can."
Luffman is referring to the direct impact this farm has on his business and conversely the communities in other parts of the Commonwealth. Stormy spring weather presented an obstacle for Martin Severn's farm, but now foot-high corn can be seen planted in neat rows. Tomato plants are sprouting yellow blooms and leafy cabbage spreads more than a foot in circumference over the dirt
"If the tomatoes produce anywhere reasonable, we should have 2000 lbs of tomatoes harvested. On the sweet corn, on what we've got planted right now, maybe 200 dozen ears of sweet corn."
The crops and means to produce them come from a private donor, who's only caveat was that proceeds benefit a community in Eastern Kentucky. Severns gives a rough estimate of the value of the small plot.
"You know, all in all, we look to market around $3500 dollars worth of retail produce."
Severns, who also pastors Murray's Memorial Baptist Church, says the farm has always been non-profit, opting instead to donate its provisions to charity.
"We'll sell some to Boulders. Then we're hoping to market some on the square. And the proceeds of this is going to go to Pike county. And then locally we will be giving away the potatoes, corn and tomatoes to Needline and some local churches."
In years prior the farm had shipped food to families across the state, but with rising fuel prices and the difficulty of shipping fresh produce, donating money directly made more sense. Whatever food is not bought will be donated outright, distributed throughout Calloway County. Severns says he would like the farm to be used as a tool to teach local youth about agriculture.
"Ultimately, the only thing we can pass on is our heart. What a better way to do that than to teach kids, teach the community, just the importance of giving to other people."
This is just the first step, Luffman and Severns say. Nothing like this, they say, has ever been done in Calloway County. If all goes well this year, Severns says he would like to make the farm organic-certified in the future.
"This year is the beginning. First time out to see how things are gonna work. Hopefully next year we will have some things we can tweak a little more and do some things different."
The food at Boulders, from ground to kitchen to plate, is grown and prepared to be easy on the environment, wallet, and community. The love put into the food by the farmers and cooks is what defines the restaurant.
"I don't know why or how, but when you put love in the food it's just better."