This Week in Sustainable Food News

Not only is 'locavore' actually in the dictionary, it was chosen word of the year. Old news, right? But other signs that the Eat Local movement's making some serious strides into pop culture are popping up in pairs. In last week's episode of Law & Order SVU, Robin Williams plays a murder suspect with an interesting alibi. He couldn't have been at the fast-food joint where the murder went down... because he's a locavore. "I only by organic, seasonal foods grown by local farmers." A few days later, the game show Duel featured a question along the same lines: "What's special about the food eaten by a locavore?" Both contestants picked the right answer - obviously, they're Law & Order fans.

We're all pretty well up to speed on sustainable eating, but what about sustainable drinking? With so many consumers paying more attention to what they're putting on their plate, the cocktail glass was sure to follow close behind. Indeed, the latest trends in the world of spirits include green beer (and we don't mean the St. Patrick's Day sort) and organic cocktails. Eco-conscious drinkers will find plenty of organic brands on the shelves, including vodka, rum, and tequila. And the market-fresh cocktails trend - featuring seasonal, local, and organic fruits and herbs - is gaining popularity outside of its Northern California birthplace. So cheers, green drinkers: Here's to your health!

Stocking your kitchen with sustainably manufactured housewares just got a little bit easier. Online mega-retailer Amazon.com quietly launched its new AmazonGreen pages, where you'll find tableware made from recycled materials, a grocery aisle's worth of certified organic food, and a growing list of eco-friendly kitchen gadgets. Know of other Amazon products that could help save the Earth? Add your own Green 3, the trio of products you wish everyone used.

On the Menu: Cardoons
Long a favorite of Italian gourmets, cardoons are finding their way to more American farmers' markets. If you see them, act fast: They're available during a very brief season - as short as 2 or 3 weeks, even in temperate climes. A member of the thistle family, cardoons look like giant celery stalks, but their taste is similar to an artichoke's savory heart - not surprising, given they're close botanical cousins. Most commonly found in a gratin or risotto, they're also delicious tempura style. And you have to love a plant whose usefulness isn't limited to the kitchen: Unctuous cardoons may even be a source of biodiesel!