MADE IN FRANCE / VILLAGE IMPORTS European Gourmet Food Warehouse Sale

Talking about buying local products is all the rage these days. I've been trying to wean Fred off the imported Creme Fraiche and onto the Cowgirl creamery version instead. My plan worked well enough on his tastebuds. It was when he went to put the pot away, and discovered that the local version is, how shall we put it, a little more sloppy than the French version, that my efforts were damned. A sweater needed washing, a floor needed mopping, cupboards needed rinsing. Hmmmm. Nevertheless, I will soldier on, taking small steps, one week at a time, to try and introduce more and more local products into my fridge and pantry. My inspiration, recently, has come mainly from fellow blogger Jen at Life Begins at Thirty who strives hard to eat locally and follow the seasons.

Until someone in the Bay Area is brave enough to open a Marmite Factory, however, I know I, personally, will never be able to commit 100% to local food. Other Californian immigrants craving for food items from their Motherlands will sympathize and realise this whole issue requires some give and take. I am sure even virtuous champions of local food can't resist, sometimes, exotic products and spices from different parts of the world.

Fans of French food, in particular, might be interested in this coming Saturday's Made in France and Village Imports Warehouse sale. Many products are actually from overseas, but because of rigorous import laws, some of the meats and dairy are more likely to be American replicas of their French versions. If you have never been, it's worth a visit from time to time. Just be prepared, perhaps, to queue for a very long time.

Next Event:
Friday, March 18, 2005
3:00pm - 7:00pm
Saturday March 19, 2005
8:30am - 3:30pm

Directions and mailing list details can be found here

211 South Hill Drive
Brisbane, CA 94005
415-562-1120

Our recommended buys:
Olive Oil and Lavender soap, Petit Suisse, Ground Almonds, Couverture, Chocolate and Badoit Mineral Water.

Suggestions:
Take a cool bag and a book to read in case you end up in a long line.
(Or just forget about it and go to one of the local farmers markets instead?!)

Check previous posts for more info here and here and here

And Talking of the French...
Our favourite local French foodish blogger, Ced, is miffed that he wasn't mentioned in The Chronicle's recent article about food bloggers. I always look forward to Wednesdays. It's the day that Ced usually launches a blistering attack on Meredith Brody, food critic for the SF Weekly. Whether you agree with him or not, it's always a funny read. Check out his blog later today for the latest assault.