At FreshDirect, we eat local. We support local. We live for local. August has summer’s sweetest offerings, and our local partners produce the best of everything. That deserves a celebration, so we’ve made a list of the foods from around here that are perfect for serving up at a block party or neighborhood cookout.
FreshDirect is proudly located in the Bronx, which puts us in the ideal position to take advantage of all the mid-Atlantic has to offer. We’re situated between upstate New York’s lush dairy pastures and independent fruit and vegetable growers, Long Island’s rich soils and booming wine culture, and the rolling farmlands of New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Plus, there are the many enterprising small food businesses based in New York City and beyond. Add in the world-class culinary culture that the city is known for and you’ve got the perfect condition for discovering incredible cuisine of every sort.
And by embracing local food, you’re not only getting it from the farm fresher and supporting smaller producers, but also making one of the most impactful choices you can to reduce your carbon footprint. So if you’re having guests from out of town, or just want to engage in a little hometown pride with your neighbors and friends, a locally-themed party is a great opportunity to showcase the best of the region. Read on for our picks of what to bring to an end-of-summer cookout, then shop all of our local favorites on FreshDirect.
Appetizers
Get the party started with ultra-fresh vegetable crudités, artisanal cheese and charcuterie, and snacks created by our favorite food innovators.
Yolélé Chips
& Jalapa Jar SalsaCrudités with Lancaster vegetables & dips from Haven’s Kitchen
Brooklyn Piggies pigs in a blanket
Local cheese board
Deviled eggs with FreshDirect eggs
Great Gun oysters
Side Dishes
In these parts, produce really shines at the end of summer, offering a large bounty before retreating for the colder months. Now’s high time to focus on vegetable-centric salads and sides, complemented by locally-baked goods and extras.
- Steamed or grilled Altobelli corn
- Sarabeth’s biscuits
- Salad with Bowery greens and Satur Farms dressings
- Pasta salad with Sfoglini pasta
- Potato salad with Lancaster potatoes
- Grilled romaine from Deer Run farms
- Local caprese salad
Main Dishes
FreshDirect works with regional farms to source many of our meats, in particular for our 100% grass-fed local and local Angus RWA beef and our local pasture-raised lamb. We offer many cuts that are great for the grill. You could also go for a bit of seafood from nearby waters, some locally-crafted sausages and franks, or even pizza from one of New York’s famed eateries.
- Pizza from Sullivan St. Bakery, Table 87 & Roberta’s
- Burgers with FreshDirect local grass-fed & Angus beef
- Brooklyn Hot Dog Co. hot dogs
- Barbecued brisket
- Grilled steaks or lamb from Brother’s Ridge Farm
- Barbecued or grilled chicken from Snowdance Farms
- Grilled sausages from Phil’s Finest
- Grilled whole local sea bass
Sweets & Desserts
You don’t have to look very hard to find incredible bakeries and outstanding ice cream parlors in New York. FreshDirect partners with some of the best to bring their treats straight to you.
Beverages
New York is a powerhouse in its own right when it comes to drinks. From top-level wines produced on Long Island and around the Finger Lakes, to a plethora of craft breweries in seemingly every corner, as well as a number of upstart brands creating new spins on soft drinks, there’s no shortage of options for quenching your thirst and finding a bit of refreshment.
