Gone Local: Our Increase in Local Food Purchases

Our local food purchases keep growing and growing!

Our in-house culinary team continues to increase the amount of local and organic fare used throughout our menus. Regular suppliers of the Centre include Red Mule Grits (Athens), Pure Bliss Organics (Marietta), Ali’s Cookies (Marietta), Royal Produce (Atlanta), and Sir Kensington’s All Natural Ketchup and Mayonnaise (organic product).

“Our venue feeds 250,000 people every year, so sourcing our food from local farmers makes a huge impact on not only the economy but the environment as well,” said Executive Chef Nicholas Walker. “I am committed to bringing our clients the very best while supporting local businesses and healthy practices, and it doesn’t get more local than our own back yard.”

Executive Chef Nicholas Walker also recently visited Mills Farm in Athens, GA, where he interviewed the owners of Red Mule Grits and saw first-hand how they make grits with Luke the mule. Cobb Galleria Centre uses about 800 lbs. of grits per year from this local farm in numerous Georgia-inspired dishes. Take a look!

We harvest from our back yard herb and vegetable garden throughout the spring and summer months. Our garden is filled with green onions, parsley, sweet basil, peppermint, spearmint, oregano, rosemary, sage, chives, jalapeno peppers, cayenne peppers, eggplant, okra, four types of tomatoes, and raspberry, blueberry and blackberry bushes. These items are a regular part of our cuisine and have reduced our herb purchases by 20 percent.

Mint is flourishing in our garden this summer.

Do you have a garden in your back yard or an Atlanta area farmers market you visit frequently? Tell us about it!