As we near the middle of Eat Local Season, you may have seen many ways to shift some of your spending to support the local food system- from CSAs to dining at a new neighborhood restaurant. But one of the easiest that easily can fit in your current routine is to consider local alternatives to some of your pantry staples. Here are a few of my favorite local alternatives that I’m sure you’ll love, and even better, you’ll be supporting a local purveyor while at your favorite grocery store. Everything from your new favorite salt, to a local soda that will up your at home cocktail game can be found here – and it’s all local.
Red Clay x Ravenel Fresh Seafood
This week for #BlackFoodFridays I traveled out to Ravenel (about 20 minutes outside of Charleston) to Visit Ravenel Fresh Seafood. This family-owned and operated Seafood Market & Restaurant started over 20 years ago by Mr. Julius Brown, and has grown to become a must-stop for seafood in the Lowcountry. Mr. Brown, raised on Sol Legare Island right near James Island, would go fishing whenever he could, and was always surrounded by seafood, which inspired him to open Ravenel Fresh Seafood.
Red Clay x Park Circle Creamery
“People make it fun”. You can truly feel that Maurice Ray loves what he does and his positive demeanor makes you smile the moment you walk in the door. Maurice started Park Circle Creamery in 2016 with his brother on East Montague Ave- right down the road from the North Park Village area of North Charleston he grew up in. Staying involved in his community is still important to Maurice and Park Circle Creamery, most notably with the “Art on Ice” area at the front of the shop that allows local artists of all mediums to showcase their work to the public. Park Circle Creamery began with 16 flavors of classic, hand-scooped ice cream and shakes, but have expanded their menu by adding ice cream bars (always dip it and top it), floats and even pints that you can take home with you. I spent an afternoon with Maurice to learn about how all this started, what's to come for Park Circle Creamery, and what to get when you visit for #blackfoodfridays
New Partnership with Red Clay in support of #BlackFoodFridays
I’m excited to announce a new partnership with Red Clay in support of #blackfoodfridays. Black Food Fridays is an initiative started by KJ Kearney earlier this year in an effort to spotlight Black-owned restaurants and encourage people to support a restaurant or business in their area every Friday. Red Clay is also contributing 15% of sales over the next month towards funding Black Food Fridays. I sat down with the Red Clay team earlier this month for a Q and A to kick it all off. Click here to read the entire feature on the Red Clay Journal, and stay tuned for the first feature next week! Learn more about Black Food Fridays here, and on Instagram at @blackfoodfridays.
-Jai
New Restaurant Alert: Bumpa's (Charleston)
New restaurant/pub alert! Bumpa’s is now open Downtown Charleston! Named after the grandfather of the two owners and inspired by his stories and their Irish heritage, the menu at Bumpas is filled with elevated bar fare and great beer + cocktails. Jo’s Disco Fries with short rib are soon to be a favorite, as well as the excellent Beet & Bleu Salad with white truffle dressing for those looking for a lighter option. Definitely worth adding to your #chseats list.
Bumpa’s
5 Cumberland St,
Charleston, SC 29401
www.bumpas-chs.com
Dinner at EastSide Soul Food for #blackfoodfridays
Tonight’s Dinner from Downtown’s EastSide Soul Food: Fried Fish, Mac & Cheese and Collards for #blackfoodfridays
What’s @blackfoodfridays? @kjbeenya, a good friend and Charleston native, started this initiative earlier this month as a way to highlight and encourage people to support black-owned restaurants in the Lowcountry and beyond on Fridays during the pandemic.
From Black Food Friday’s: “During this pandemic, all businesses are suffering. But this will disproportionately affect Black business as, according to research from the U. S. Department of Commerce’s Minority Business Development Agency, minority-owned businesses are more likely to be denied the credit needed to rebuild. Those that are funded will have to borrow lower amounts while also being subjected to higher interest rates. Many more will refuse to apply for loans for fear that their applications will be denied.”
Follow along at @blackfoodfridays and be sure to consider supporting a Black-Owned restaurant in your community this (and every) Friday.
EastSide Soul Food
46 America St
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 973-3100