Everyone’s Irish on St. Patrick’s Day, and everything turns green—from hair and clothes to beer and food! But while the fun of going green is a big part of the celebration, why not take it one step further and embrace a truly green lifestyle by choosing local, fresh, and sustainable food and drinks?
For many, celebrating St. Patrick’s Day means gathering with friends and family, singing Irish tunes, and enjoying traditional dishes like ham and cabbage—often paired with a pint (or two!) of beer. However, what we often don’t realize is that much of the food we pick up at the grocery store has traveled thousands of miles before landing on our plates. Heavily sprayed with pesticides, picked months before ripeness, and stored with preservatives, this mass-produced food is far from the fresh, wholesome meals our ancestors once enjoyed.
Lucky for us in Hampton Roads, we have access to locally sourced ingredients that can make our Irish feast fresher, healthier, and better for the environment. Smithfield hams, a Virginia specialty, are readily available in many stores, and a visit to a local farmer’s market can provide everything from crisp cabbage to farm-fresh eggs—some even with green shells!
At Five Points Farmer’s Market in Norfolk, I discovered a true bounty of local produce perfect for a St. Paddy’s Day feast. Freshly picked cabbage, potatoes, green beans, and even green eggs from Peace & Plenty Farm in North Carolina made for an exciting and festive menu. These eggs, naturally laid with green shells, bring Dr. Seuss’s classic Green Eggs and Ham to life—what better way to add an Irish twist to your breakfast or brunch?
According to Bev Sell, general manager of Five Points Farmer’s Market, “Farmers use St. Patrick’s Day as the day to begin planting.” How fitting, since this holiday is all about renewal, luck, and abundance! Located in an open-air warehouse near the Norfolk Zoo, the market offers a variety of locally sourced goods from Virginia, the Carolinas, Pennsylvania, and Florida—much closer than the usual grocery store selections that come from Idaho, California, or even China.
And let’s not forget the drinks! Virginia is home to a growing number of microbreweries, many of which craft delicious, high-quality beers that rival anything imported from Ireland. Sell mentions hopes of one day offering locally made wine and beer at the market—a great opportunity for those looking to celebrate while supporting local businesses. Personally, I’ll raise my glass to that!
By choosing local food and drink, we’re not only celebrating the holiday in style but also supporting our economy, reducing our carbon footprint, and enjoying fresher, better-tasting ingredients. Small family farms typically avoid the use of toxic pesticides, making their produce healthier and more flavorful. But even if sustainability isn’t your top priority, the taste alone should convince you—local food simply is fresher and more delicious!
Irish folklore tells us that a pot of gold awaits at the end of every rainbow. If we follow our local rainbow, we’ll find something even better: a thriving community of farmers, artisans, and small businesses dedicated to producing high-quality goods right here in Virginia.
So, this St. Patrick’s Day, let’s toast to greener, cleaner, and healthier choices! Whether it’s a farm-to-table feast, a sip of locally brewed beer, or just a commitment to supporting our local markets, we can all do our part to keep the Irish eyes smiling.
🍀 Sláinte! May the green be with you! 🍀
The original version of this article was published in the GREEN TIDINGS column by Cheryl Hahn – Virginian Pilot, March 14, 2009