Today I was at the butchers down the road to pick up some fresh ground meat for a chili dish that I will be making tomorrow. You can go to the supermarket or chain store like in the States but you don´t know where the meat comes from. I know at my local store that the meat is from locally slaughtered cattle even if it is trucked in from some other area of Germany or the European Union. The wurst or coldcuts are made locally and so one has a feeling of some sort of security. The act of going is also different in some ways than shopping at the big supermarket in the USA. It is down the street and the place is small so bumping into neighbors is more likely. You have to stand in line most of the times as the butcher that I shop at is quite popular and is known for its quality of offerings. You can even pick up a wine or pasta to accompany your selection of meat with tips and offerings of the week. I like the feeling and today as is always on Fridays and Saturday mornings there is a fruit and vegetable stand outside. The fun thing about this sort of business is the proprietors really hawk their produce and make commments about the taste and freshness of whatever they are selling. You get instant commentary which again makes for a feeling of being connected to the food chain. A good produce seller enhances the business takein as well as I think ensuring that the best product is being offered to the customer. Next to the butcher is a bakery so in a sense you can find most of what you need for a breakfast buffet or evening meal. The bread is baked fresh daily and there is a myriad of different types including sweet rolls and cakes.
I think that in the long run it is also more environmentally friendly.
