Eat Local Foods in Barnstable Restaurants

The average plate of food in the United States travels roughly 5,000 miles from farm to fork--about the same distance between Juneau, Alaska and the capitol of Guatemala. 

If you'd prefer to skip the middle man, you're in luck. Buy Fresh Buy Local Cape Cod hosts a plethora of information, including where to buy fresh food at restaurants, farmers markets, inns and bed-and-breakfasts and area retailers.

And, as the organization points out on their website, there are countless reasons why being a "locavore" may be a smart choice.

Eating local strengthens the local economy and family farms, makes less of an impact on the environment, is convenient and close to home, and simply tastes fresher.

Listed below are restaurants in Barnstable that are members of the Buy Fresh Buy Local partnership:

1. The Naked Oyster Bistro & Raw Bar David Kelley, the executive chef, says he has teamed up with many of the local fishermen and shellfishermen to bring their products directly from the sea to his Hyannis kitchen. The specials menu is adjusted weekly to reflect seasonal changes not only in produce and fish, but also in meats and fowl. The restaurants ingredients are sourced from Cape Cod Organic Farm in Barnstable and Great Hill Dairy in Marion.
   
   
2. The Island Merchant This Caribbean restaurant on Main Street in Hyannis prides themselves on serving regional, seasonal foods with the a distinct island flair.
   
   
3. Common Ground Cafe This restaurant features a variety of homemade baked goods, granolas, sandwiches, smoothies and other health foods made using local ingredients There is also a small store located in the back of the restaurant that sells fresh ingredients and breads. Common Grounds is located on Main Street in Hyannis, and their baked goods can be found at Hyannis farmers markets.
   
   
4. Earthly Delights  The owners tend to a large garden that stocks all the foods made at Earthly Delights, located on West Bay Road in Osterville. They spend the spring supporting local, organic farms and nurseries, purchasing compost and preparing their garden for the summer. Their foodstuff is sourced from Cape Cod Organic Farm in Barnstable and Pleasant Lake Farm in Harwich.