E.A.T. and Cultivate Good in Temecula | Examiner.com
7/9/16, 3:12 PM
LEISURE / FOOD & DRINK / DRINKS See also: food news, sustainable and healthy foods, farm to table, restaurant
E.A.T. and Cultivate Good in Temecula May 6, 2015 1:29 PM MST
The
photo credit: Hilarie Larson
philosophies of ‘Farm to Table’ and’ Eat Local’ are really nothing new.
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E.A.T. and Cultivate Good in Temecula | Examiner.com
7/9/16, 3:12 PM
For centuries, people grew and produced their own food or purchased from nearby farms, orchards and producers.
But with ‘modern times’ came modern, industrial farms and food companies that mass produced food, often using fungicides, pesticides and other means of increasing quantity instead of quality. Today, people yearn to go back to real foods – partly from a nutritional aspect but also to obtain a feeling of being connected to the earth and to their communities. Unfortunately, most of us don’t have the time, or space, to plant vegetable gardens, or visit local farmer’s markets. Enter “Cultivating Good’, the SoCal, Inland Empire organization that oversees three diverse, yet connected, businesses, that link today’s lifestyles with the good, wholesome and very
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E.A.T. and Cultivate Good in Temecula | Examiner.com
7/9/16, 3:12 PM
tasty real foods that we all crave. Co-owners Leah Di Bernardo and Don Webber are quick to point out that this isn’t a 1980’s style ‘Slow Foods’ movement, but a more up-to-date version, one that aims to support the local economy by supporting the area’s farmers, vendors and food artisans. “The food system is broken and this is a fun way to help fix it – it’s not political.’ said Webber during a recent symposium held by the company for regional members of the International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association. He stressed that by consuming delicious ‘Farm to Plate’ products, we can repair the current mass production system, make a statement and enjoy tasty, healthy eating that goes beyond organic. It’s not Gourmet or Hippy, but good, clean ‘feel good’ food. Leah Di Bernardo began ‘E.A.T.’ several years ago as a catering company. She opened a small storefront location just off of Jefferson in Temecula and rented out part of the space to local food artisans who shared her ‘’good food’ ideals. Today, Leah overseas the new location for E.A.T. Marketplace in the Old Town area of Temecula. One of the three parts of Cultivating Good organization, Di Bernardo likes to call it the ‘Eatery’ not a restaurant; a gathering place for the community – a spot to ‘hang out’. When you visit, the friendly staff makes you feel http://www.examiner.com/article/e-a-t-and-cultivate-good-temecula
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E.A.T. and Cultivate Good in Temecula | Examiner.com
7/9/16, 3:12 PM
very much at home, whether you want to pop in for a quick organic drip coffee, a cup of freshly brewed tea or to enjoy a full meal. The idea is that the ‘Eatery’ should be a part of the community, where people can gather round the table and enjoy good, wholesome foods. During our visit, we were treated to a selection of some of the trademark dishes from E.A.T. such as the butternut squash flatbread, roasted turkey and fontina cheese sandwiches made on locally baked fresh breads, and wraps filled with grilled Portobello mushrooms and BBQ ranch chicken. The chickens are from a local ,humane producer and delivered fresh every day. And yes, there was kale, but try it in one of E.A.T.’s amazing salads and you’ll feel you’re discovering a whole new vegetable-The Kale House Rock salad certainly does! Chef Matt Cassell has only been with E.A.T. for a short time, having worked with restaurants around the world, most recently the Temecula Creek Inn. He told us that he was ‘amazed at the quality’ of the foods delivered by local farmers – “dirt and all” and that he simply lets the food speak for itself. His wife, Lisa, is the Pastry Chef, responsible for the best macarons I’d tasted this side of France. The other delicacies we tried, such as the Paleo cookes and Bacon Donuts, show that good for you can also be down right decadent! Another member of the team is Holistic Health Coach and raw foods Chef Leslie Keegan, who http://www.examiner.com/article/e-a-t-and-cultivate-good-temecula
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E.A.T. and Cultivate Good in Temecula | Examiner.com
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embodies the company’s ideals of using education to connect the Farm to the Family. And family is exactly what you’ll meet when visiting the Eatery of encountering any of the team members of Cultivating Good. Both di Bernardo and Webber believe in creating an environment where staff can grow and be inspired. Everyone visits the local suppliers, work on the farms, learns to milk the goats and how to harvest poultry. These experiences teach them the value of the foods they work with and provide to the customers and allows them to bring back stories to share with the guests. Many former team members have gone on to form their own businesses - ones which Cultivating Good supports - such as Krafted, formed by Kevin Grant. His mustards and preserves are made in small batches here in Riverside County. Don’t have time to sit and socialize over your meal? Need something quick to prepare after a busy day? Not a problem! Inside the eatery, you’ll find a chiller case filled with all kinds of pre-made entrées and desserts. Just add a salad or two and you’re good to go, in a ‘good for you & good for the community’ way. And if you can’t make it to Temecula Old Town, they have that covered, too. E.A.T. @ Home brings the deliciousness of the E.A.T. Marketplace right to your door, with a selection of several meal plans for everyone. http://www.examiner.com/article/e-a-t-and-cultivate-good-temecula
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“Healthy Lifestyle’ includes 10 Artisan meals and 10 power snacks, “On the Go” will give you five of each and ‘Keeping it Light’ includes 3 meals and 6 snacks. All you need to do is decide which program fits your needs, visit their website and choose delivery or pick up at one of their several locations and pick your method of payment! If you’d prefer to prepare the food yourself, then Harvest 2U is the perfect solution; it’s like having the local Farmer’s Market delivered to your door every week! Harvest @U has built close relationships with many local producers and growers – local being within a 50 mile radius of Temecula. The produce is harvested within 24 to 36 hours of when it’s delivered. Everything is rinsed at the farm and inspected before being placed in the delivery boxes, but yes, there will be some dirt you’ll need to wash off and every now and again, you might find a little bug has come along for the ride! Worried that you won’t know what some of these ‘unusual’ veggies might be or what you should do with them? Never fear – the folks at Harvest 2U will include recipes and descriptions of that week’s treasures, plus storage and preparation tips. Their website is also a wonderful resource for recipes, too. And, as Don says, “You may not like everything, but try it. You might not know what ‘fresh’ taste like!”
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E.A.T. and Cultivate Good in Temecula | Examiner.com
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So go ahead – feel good about what you’re eating, support local producers and small farmers plus help to reduce your carbon footprint, all while enjoying amazing, fresh and tasty food. Sounds like a good deal to me! E.A.T. Marketplace: 28410 Old Town Front Street, Suite 112, Temecula CA 92590
Hilarie Larson
San Diego Wine Travel Examiner
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