How chefs are shaping climate-resilient food systems

Some chefs are redefining farm-to-table by embracing climate-conscious sourcing and supporting local, regenerative farms to build sustainable food systems.

Grey Moran reports for Civil Eats.


In short:

  • Chef Rob Rubba of Oyster Oyster in D.C. uses local, climate-adapted ingredients, focusing on sustainable practices that minimize environmental harm.
  • Restaurants like Carmo in New Orleans foster relationships with Indigenous farmers to source ethically and support biodiversity.
  • Unpredictable farming conditions lead chefs to regularly adapt their menus, prioritizing crops grown in harmony with nature.

Key quote:

“We’re in it for the relationships. The whole idea of farm-to-table has always been so important, but what I realized is that we’re trying to do origins-to-table–we’re trying to tell the story of where our food came from.”

— Dana Honn, co-owner of Carmo

Why this matters:

By choosing to source from farmers and producers who care for the land, these chefs are shaping a food future that’s less reliant on industrial agriculture and more attuned to the planet’s needs. It’s about using food as a tool for environmental healing, all while delivering a delicious dining experience. Read more: This diet will likely keep you alive longer — and help the planet.

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