How do you connect with your local community? 

Chipotle, ever the national quick-serve trendsetter, has pledged to purchase some of their foods from local small- to medium-sized producers.  To be fair, the gesture is pretty limited (25% of one produce item)—but when a chain that large and successful can take even a small step toward supporting the local community, it’s an indication that times are changing.  And their choice may have more to do with oil’s rising prices than pure goodwill.  After all, sourcing food locally will bolster the brand’s image while cutting down on food transport costs.

Some restaurants are in the generous habit of donating money to local causes—and some donate food.  Even the NRA Show donated a whopping 116,553 pounds of food to its host city of Chicago.  Now more than ever is a good time to donate food as food banks around the country experience shortages.  (In fact, I’ve got a bag full of groceries in my car to drop off at the local food bank today.)

Looking for ideas?  Try out QSRMagazine’s “What’s Your Cause?” page.  And consider joining in the Great American Dine Out program for a week in September; the stated cause is to “End Childhood Hunger.”

So…how do you connect with your local community?