Every time I fold up a paper bag to stash in a drawer, I think I'm turning into my mother. But it turns out that's a good thing.

What is a green kitchen? It's wasting less and reusing more. It's the thoughtful purchasing of products with less packaging. It's cooking and eating with the seasons. It's supporting small farmers and small makers in the community. It's being able to rustle up a meal from what's in the fridge. It's making good use of leftovers.

This is the thought behind our Green Fridge. It's stocked with items you'll find at the farmers market in January and February. Items that are economical and nutritious. Also, items that are made locally - ones that aren't mass produced and that keep dollars in our local economy.

Did you know?

Americans throw away an average of $120/month in wasted food - more than farmers or grocery stores. 

What's in our Green Fridge:

1.  Jackalope Thunder Ann beer
2.  Grey Poupon mustard
3.  Butter-of course a key ingredient, and that from the super is fine, but if you want to go the extra mile, buy local from Rosie Belle Farm.
4.  Arugula pesto (whirl up with any green starting to go or that which you have in abundance from your CSA. Store in glass Weck jars)
5.  JD Country milk or any local milk, Hatcher, Cruze Girl or Armstrong raw milk.
6.  Homemade chicken stock (keep in freezer, thaw for soups, stews, and other uses)
7.  Orange juice (from frozen concentrate. Decrease plastic by using a glass pitcher). We also love fresh squeezed.
8.  Cheese grater, because Parmesan makes everything taste better
9.  Parmesan cheese, the real thing in a chunk
10.  Leftover pasta covered with reusable beeswax wraps by TreeBeeTN (cuts down on plastic wrap)
11.  Bread by Village Bakery and Provisions. Locally baked bread available at farmers markets
12.  Oranges
13.  Mustard greens from Plano Produce at Nashville Farmers' Market
14.  Lemons
15.  Fuji apples
16.  Sweet potatoes and turnips from Nashville Farmers' Market
17.  Grass fed pork tenderloin from TN Grass Fed Farms
18.  Cauliflower and onions from farmers market
19.  Fresh rosemary from Bloomsbury Farm
20.  Cabbage, carrots, green onions from Nashville Farmers' Market
21.  Farm fresh eggs
22.  Dukes Mayo, the definitive mayo of the south
23.  White wine for drinking and cooking with
24.  Fresh parsley (store in a jar of water and keep on hand to brighten any dish)
25.  Noble Springs feta cheese
26.  TN Artisan honey
27.  Nashville Jam strawberry preserves
28.  Cinnamon sugar syrup
29.  Soy sauce
30.  Sake by Proper Sake Co.
31.  Overnight spinach cheese strata
32.  Homemade fig preserves
33.  Pecans
34.  Fresh cilantro
35.  Breeden's apple butter
36.  Smith & Lentz crowler of seasonal beer