5@5 - How to pick a food vendor - Eatocracy Knowing where your food originates from is an essential part in knowing what you're actually consuming. As the USDA touts: "Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food." But unless you're buying straight from the farmer at the farmers market, chances are there's a middle institution - like your local grocery store - involved, and they're just as important to acquaint yourself with. Jason Tilmann is the executive chef of Triomphe, and chooses every ingredient on his menu based on the season, and more importantly, the source - and thinks you should follow suit. Five Ways to Ensure Top Quality Food Products: Jason Tilmann 1. Where do I get my products and how do they get to me? The most important part of dining and eating is where you buy your food from. That goes for us in the kitchen and those at home. With so many food-related illnesses and recalls, shoppers need to be aware of where their food is coming from to guarantee that it is fresh and safe. Knowing the path of your food from farm to fork is the number one way to ensure food safety and quality. A great tool that I use to help me trace fresh produce back to the source is the HarvestMark Food Traceability app. Not only does this app allow you to trace your food, but it allows you to give feedback to the people who grow and sell your food by using the 'Talk to the Farmer' feature, and you can also find out instantly if your food is part of a recall. What are the signs to look for when selecting your market place? When you walk into a marketplace, clean smells never get a second chance to make a first impression. In this scenario, it is okay to judge a book by its cover. Perceptions are reality, in this instance, so listen to what your instincts are telling you. Vegetables should look fresh and crisp, not welted and dead. The fish department should smell clean and fresh like the ocean, not foul or overly fishy. The meat should look red and vibrant, not dry and crusty. When youâre looking in the meat and fish departments look at the butcher. Does he or she look cleanly? Is their hair tied back? Are they wearing gloves? Itâs important to look at the person handling the food as well. The reality in this situation is that you need to use your judgment. Check for proper documentation "It is extremely important to know that the marketplace you go to is licensed and certified. There are so many steps in the process from farm to fork and you need to make sure that everyone is doing their part along the way to ensure quality and safety. Build a relationship with your vendor "While every player in the chain of food from farm to table has some degree of responsibility for food safety, the vendors are usually the last line of defense before food reaches the consumer. Ensuring trust and establishing a good rapport with your vendor is good practice - and donât be afraid to ask questions! Pick their brain a little and familiarize yourself with all the different products they have to offer. The more you know, the better judgment call you can make when selecting your food. From a chef's point of view, I canât stress enough the importance of building this relationship. I talk to my vendors every single day. It inspires me to try new things and helps me stay current. Itâs important as a chef to know whatâs in season and what the new trends are. I love when my vendors show me something Iâve never tried before, it keeps things exciting! You canât be afraid to experiment from time to time. Go visit the vendorâs supplier "Once youâve established a relationship with your vendor, take a trip with them to visit their supplier to ensure quality as far back as possible. Get to the source of your food.