Local Hero Winners 2018
We define a “local hero” as someone whose business offers high-quality local products and maintains high standards in social and environmental practices, food sourcing, regional economic impact and commitment to promoting a sustainable food system. Our readers nominated two local heroes in each of seven categories: one from the Bluegrass region and one from Louisville (Jefferson County). People from all over the state responded with enthusiasm! We celebrate those who received the highest number of nominations in each category. Congratulations!
In the Louisville Region
This year's Hall of Famers: Rainbow Blossom and Mayan Café
Each have received the Local Hero Award for three years and have reached “Hall of Fame” status.
And the winners are...
Favorite Food Artisan: Blue Dog Bakery
Situated in the heart of the Crescent Hill neighborhood, Blue Dog Bakery & Café celebrates its 20th anniversary this summer. Since June 1998, this local treasure has been supplying the community with authentic artisan bread and delicious European style pastries. The café serves brunch and lunch, offering a menu dedicated to fresh ingredients and the wonder of good bread. 2868 Frankfort Ave., Louisville 40206, bluedogbakery@outlook.com, BlueDogBakeryAndCafe.com
Favorite Beverage Artisan: Elixir Kombucha
Elixir Kombucha is a bubbly, probiotic tea handcrafted in small batches with everything from fresh fruits, juices and dried herbs and spices. Flavors include Lavender Lemonade, Blueberry Pomegranate, Pineapple Ginger, Gonzofruit, and Hemp Hop. Available at many local stores. For list visit ElixirKombucha.com. 1812 W. Muhammad Ali Blvd. Louisville 40203, 502-992-9436, elixirkombucha@gmail.com
Favorite Food Retailer: Lotsa Pasta
For over 36 years, Lotsa Pasta has been delivering the best food the world has to offer: pastas, breads, cheeses, meats, oils, spices, olives, Asian ingredients, peppers, chutneys, salsas, rices, capers, tomatoes, couscous, and more. And, recently, CAVALLO NERO artisanal pasta that is produced, packaged and sold exclusively by Lotsa Pasta, 3717 Lexington Rd, Louisville, KY 40207, 502-896- 6361, LotsaPastaLouisville.com
Favorite Restaurant/Chef: Chef Bobby Benjamin, Butchertown Grocery
As the Executive Chef and owner of Butchertown Grocery, Chef Bobby Benjamin relishes the opportunity to share thoughtfully crafted, approachable food in an inviting atmosphere. Benjamin opened Butchertown Grocery in 2016 in the heart of Louisville’s most dynamic neighborhood, serving American cuisine with international influences. 1076 E. Washington St., Louisville; 502-742- 8315; Info@butchertowngrocery.com; ButchertownGrocery.com
Favorite Farmer: Ivor Chodkowski
Ivor’s farm serves the Louisville area both through a 12 year old farm apprenticeship that places young farmers throughout the greater community and as host to the Food Literacy Project at Oxmoor Farm. Field Day Family Farm is a 22 year commercial vegetable operation available to Louisville by CSA, farmers’ markets, and sales to restaurants and stores. After a long hiatus, Ivor is the current Board President of the Bardstown Road Farmers’ Market. 9001 Limehouse Lane, Louisville, KY 40222, ivorachodkowski@gmail.com , FieldDayFamilyFarm.us
Favorite Farmers’ Market: Douglass Loop Farmers’ Market
The Douglass Loop Farmers’ Market was started in 2011 as an outreach of Douglass Boulevard Christian Church. We are a Kentucky Proud farmers’ market that offers locally raised fruits and vegetables, meats, dairy products and specialty foods. By promoting the economic possibility of farming we hope to nurture the relationship between the community and the farms that feed it. Their aim is to foster a community that supports local farmers and artisans while creating an environment that allows for the cultivation of friendships among our neighbors. The market is pet friendly and runs every Saturday, rain or shine, 10am–2pm, until December 15, 2018. 2005 Douglass Blvd., Louisville; DouglassLoopFarmersMarket.com; find on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram
Favorite Nonprofit: New Roots and Fresh Stop Market
New Roots ignites community power for fresh food access. Fresh Stop Markets are fresh food markets at local churches, community centers and businesses in 17 fresh-food-insecure neighborhoods in the Louisville Metro Area, Lexington, Hazard, and Brandenburg, KY. New Roots connects about 2000 families (70 percent facing limited resources) to 50 Kentuckiana farmers. Karyn Moskowitz, Executive Director. 1800 Portland Avenue, Louisville, KY 40203, 502-509-6770, info@newroots.org NewRoots.org
In the Bluegrass Region
Favorite Food Artisan: Gina Micciche and Joseph Farmer, Lucky Clover Farm
For nine years, Lucky Clover Farm has been creating artisan food in Madison County, including: Dried Heirloom tomatoes, Honey Bourbon Apple Butter, Peach Jalapeño Jelly, KY Jam Cake, Paw Paw Bread and Hemp & Honey Roasted Granola. Heirloom tomato plant and seed production is an important part of their Kentucky Proud and Appalachia Proud farm. Jams and jellies are available statewide at Kroger stores and retailers: 859-779-8522, LuckyCloverFarm@gmail.com ; Facebook.com/LuckyCloverFarm
Favorite Beverage Artisan: Ali Baker & Paul Haney, Kentucky Kombucha
Kentucky Kombucha, established in 2013, brews authentic, artisanal Kombucha. Our focus is on providing the most healthful kombucha using all-organic ingredients and providing seasonal varieties that reflect our state. Kentucky Kombucha is always raw, alive and unfiltered. Kentucky Kombucha is available in bottles and on tap at more than 80 retailers across the Bluegrass. 4591 Mayes Creek Rd., Springfield; KentuckyKombucha.com
Favorite Food Retailer: Good Foods Co-op
Kentucky Proud since 1972, Good Foods Co-op is the only cooperatively-owned grocery store in the state. Shoppers enjoy a wide selection of local, organic, non- GMO, gluten-free and vegan offerings both on the shelves and served up fresh on the hot bar and salad bar each day. 455 Southland Dr., Lexington; 859-278- 1813; GoodFoods@goodfoods.coop
Favorite Restaurant/Chef: Ouita Michel
Since 2001, Ouita Michel has made locally grown ingredients a priority in menus across her restaurant group: Holly Hill Inn and The Midway Bakery in Midway; Wallace Station, just outside Midway; Windy Corner Market, Honeywood, Smithtown Seafood, Smithtown at the Summit and Zim’s (opening Fall 2018) in Lexington; and Glenn’s Creek Cafe and Catering at Woodford Reserve Distillery in Woodford County, where she is chef-in-residence. Her devotion to community is evident in numerous awards and service on several boards. Ouita, her husband, Chris, and daughter, Willa, live in Midway. Ouita Michel Family of Restaurants, P.O. Box 4510 Midway, Ky. 40347, 859-846-4732, info@ouitamichel.com, OuitaMichel.com
Favorite Farmer: Evermore Farm — Michael and Annabelle’s Eggs
Michael and Annabelle’s Eggs is owned by brother and sister team, Michael (13) and Annabelle (11) Rushing. The young entrepreneurs have been supplying local restaurants and farms with eggs for the past six years. They are Kentucky Proud and have earned their Egg Handlers license. Their parents, Lynn and Bob Rushing, own Evermore Farm. 5196 Shephard Ln., Lexington, KY 40515, lynn@thepondlady.com, LocalHens.com/farms/profile/evermore-farm/, ,Facebook.com/AnnabelleMichaelsEggs/
Favorite Farmers’ Market: Bluegrass Farmers’ Market
The Bluegrass Farmers’ Market is Lexington’s largest 100% homegrown/ produced market, meaning that all vendors are members of the Kentucky Proud program. Their motto is “We grow it. We produce it. We sell it.” The market offers produce, meats, cheeses, honey, herbs, flowers and a wide variety of value-added products from over 29 vendors. Two locations: Liquor Barn, Hamburg Pavilion, 1837 Plaudit Pl., and Azur Restaurant and Patio (Tuesday and Saturday), 3070 Lakecrest Circle in the Beaumont Centre. (Thursday and Saturday) Mid-April thru October 703- 586-7278; Bluegrass-FarmersMarket.org, bgfmmarketing@gmail.com
Favorite Nonprofit: FoodChain
FoodChain is a nonprofit in downtown Lexington working to forge new links between community and fresh food. They do this through education and demonstration of sustainable innovative food systems. They operate a 7,000-gallon indoor aquaponic system inside a previously abandoned bread factory. In late 2017 they opened their adjacent Teaching & Processing Kitchen to host youth and family cooking classes and workforce development around fresh food. 501 W. Sixth St., Suite 105, Lexington; 859- 428-8380; info@foodchainlex.org; FoodChainLex.or
