Local, Local, Local.

Here at Java Dock Cafe we use the word local liberally, but be assured, we use this word consciously.  The word/idea "Local" is quickly becoming a buzz word of sorts; a marketing tool if you will.  I have strong feelings about words and marketing; both should be genuine, honest, conveyed clearly.  I feel that truth is our essence.  We (humanity, not Java Dock) owe it to ourselves to live honestly, otherwise, what are we doing here? 

So, back to this concept of local.  What does local really mean these days?  Let me tell you my idea of local.  There are a few criteria that should be considered.  First, the business is locally owned.  This means the owner(s) live and participate within the community.  Second, it's operated locally; kinda obvious, but to clarify, this means there is autonomy on the part of those "running" the business.  It goes without saying that the people operating the business are also embedded in the community for which the business is part of.  And finally, the third element of local is the locality or proximity of which goods and services are utilized by the business.  At our shop, local means as close to our shop as possible.  (I often walk to the bank and the meat market.  Why?  Because I can and it's the logical thing to do!)

We, Java Dock Cafe shop local when we can and utilize servicers who are in the Ozaukee County district.  Many of our staple items are purchased from other businesses in town or the surrounding communities.  I will now present a list of some of the folks we work with.  I can't include them all, as you'd get bored reading this article in a hurry.  Here are the biguns:  Anodyne roasts our coffee in Bayview, Wi.  Bernies smokes our ham and cuts our other deli meats.  The bees who make our honey live in Saukville and West Bend: Little Mountain Apiaries are the bee caretakers.  LOTS of our produce is grown in Newburg, Port Washington, and Campbellsport (Kelly the barista's farm: Three Sister's).  Our milk and half & half is produced by Sassy Cow Creamery in Columbus, WI.  Many of the alternative flours we use for baking are produced by a company called Great River Organics Milling.  They're located in Fountain City, Wisconsin. The list could keep going......