Southampton - "Fresh From The Farm" offers a myriad of details as to exactly where to shop to secure the freshest food, produce, fish and other delectables all within a 100 mile radius of New York City.

Written by well-known East Ender Susan Meisel and Nathalie Sann, with a foreword by David Waltuck, "Fresh From The Farm" (Rizzoli International Publishers) was edited by Chris Steighner and designed by Lynne Yeamans/Lync.

This book, containing beautiful photographs of farm stands, food, pastries, produce and other delights, should never just sit on the 'coffee table' looking lovely - this is a detailed resource of information, recipes and background on where to go and what to look for in the best shops and farms covering "great local foods from New York State."

These authors bring a unique expertise to their subject matter. Meisel, a painter and photographer previously did the exquisite photography for "Gourmet Shops of New York," "Hamptons Pleasures," and "The Hamptons: Life Behind The Hedges." Sann "grew up in Paris," and teaches embroidery and French cooking classes, and has authored "Gourmet Shops of New York" and co-authored "La Feuille d'Or." Waltuck's background as the former owner and executive chef of Chanterelle in New York City manages to convince the reader to seriously consider the sources of the vegetables, cheeses, and meats served in restaurants.

The ladies profess in the introduction that "The idea for this book grew out of our inadverent discovery of the locavore movement while researching our first book, 'Gourmet Shops of New York'," and the connection made with the Union Square Market in New York City. How lucky for the reader that the authors chose to investigate further the bounty offered in "The Land Beyond the Five Boroughs."

Advocates of what they refer to as "good to eat," and "good for the enviroment" the authors explain the "tenets of the locavore movement" as simply "grow it locally, sell it locally, and eat it locally," and further explain that the "generally accepted definition of 'local' is food produced within a 100 mile radius of the market."

With that caveat the authors set out and discovered a treasure trove of farms and shops from Long Island (South and North Forks, and wineries as well); and the Hudson Valley and the Catskills. Having visited to sample, photograph and investigate the offerings of numerous farms and shops, this book is just as Waltuck indicates "a must have for those wishing to buy local and eat fresh foods."

The authors serve up not only recipes but addresses and phone numbers as well. The recipes are clear and manageable, and the accompanying photographs will have you eagerly anticipating getting the goods from the stand or shop to the table as quickly as possible.

Long Island Treasures
South Fork
 • Amagansett: Stuart's Seafood Market, Amagansett Village Wine and Spirits, Mary's Marvelous, Hampton Chutney, Amagansett Farmers Market, Quail Hill Farm, Multi Aquaculture Sytems, Inc.
 • Bridgehampton: Fairview Farm and Mecox Bay Dairy, Hayground Market, Pierre's, Open Minded Organics.
 • East Hampton: Iacona Farm, EECO Farm, Claws on Wheels, Villa Italian Food, Dreesen's Donuts, Lucy's Whey, Round Swamp Farm, Tutto Italiano.
 • Hampton Bays: Scotto's Italian Pork Store.
 • Patchogue: Blue Point Brewing, Del Fiore Italian Pork Store.
 • Sagaponack: Loaves and Fishes, Pike Farm, Foster Farm.
 • Sag Harbor: The Tomato Lady, Cromer's Market, Cavaniola's Gourmet Cheese Shop, Espresso.
 • Southampton: Sant Ambroeus, The Fudge Company, The Blue Duck Bakery Cafe, Tate's Bake Shop, Hampton Prime Meats, Clamman Seafood Market.
 • Wainscott: Breadzilla, Lisa and Bill's Farm Stand, The Seafood Shop
 • Water Mill: Seven Ponds Orchard, Green Thumb Organic Farm, Hampton Coffee Company, Milk Pail.

North Fork
 • Aquebogue: Crescent Duck Farm, Bayview Farm Market.
 • Calverton: Miloski's Poultry Farm.
 • Cutchogue: Wickham's Fruit Farm, Braun Seafood.
 • East Marion: Lavender by the Bay.
 • Greenport: Widow's Hole Oyster Company, Aldo's.
 • Huntington: Bon Bon Chocolatier.
 • Jamesport: Junda's Pastry Shop.
 • Mattituck: North Fork Potato Chips, Harbes Family Farms (also in Jamesport).
 • Peconic: Sang Lee Farms, Catapano Dairy Farm.
 • Riverhead: North Quarter Farm, Briermere Farm, Garden of Eve, Wells Homestead.
 • Shelter Island: Mark It with G.
 • Southold: The Farm.


Winereies
Particular mention is given to the Hargrave family who began the first East End winery in Mattituck more than 35 years ago. The authors followed Route 25 on the North Fork and a few on the South Fork, concentrating on "artisanal makers," including Paumanok Vineyards, Comtesse Therese, Marcari Vineyards, Bedell Cellars, Lenz Winery, Pellegrini, Dilberto Winery, and Shinn Estate (all on the North Fork). On the South Fork of particular note the authors include Channing Daughters and Wolffer Estates. In the Index of Addresses, the authors do list all wineries on both forks.

Tremendous detail is accorded those farms, shops and stands to be found in both the Hudson Valley and the Catskills as well.

Bravo to Meisel and Sann for bringing to live in words and pictures the delicious offerings of local and family businesses that many of us simply drive by each day, and for reminding us to buy and eat locally.