The Traveling Kitchen: Top Foodie Destinations around the World

 When you plan your next vacation there are some foodie destinations around the world that have a lot to offer. Some are cities and some are countries, but you can't go wrong with any of these destinations when planning a vacation and there are plenty of things to see outside of the food, so you really get an experience of a lifetime! Like the USA list I will give a top 10 and then provide a list of honorable mentions. 

1. Paris, France

France is known for its food landmarks as well as its physical landmarks. When I went to Paris, the food was one of the exciting and interesting things about the trip in some unexpected ways. On this trip, I enjoyed a chocolate croissant in the shadow of the Cathedral of Notre Dame, sandwiches near the Eiffel Tower, and Quiche Lorraine near our hotel. I also experienced a unique dish called Raclette, which is similar to fondue but is a way of melting cheese. All were fantastic. What was surprising was the amount of ham used in their foods. It was difficult to order a meal it seemed without it. Even their pasta had ham in it. The bread was so good, and I loved how they made their sandwiches with butter instead of mayo or mustard. No one ever said it was the healthiest foods, but they are among the tastiest. There are many ways to experience the food in Paris from street side cafes to food tours. 

2. Italy

It's hard to narrow down one area of Italy that has the best food, so I am just going to say the country as a whole. Who doesn't love pasta and pizza. Italy offers cooking classes and food tours as well as some of the world's best food found at restaurants across the country. Some of our best ingredients originate in Italy like olives, tomatoes, wine, cheeses, and the truffle. If you want a really good pizza you need to head to Naples. For a good wine, try Tuscany. This is definitely a place I would love to tour from the Amalfi Coast to Tuscany to Rome. 

3. Tokyo, Japan

If you are a fan of sushi, then Tokyo is where you need to go. Tokyo has the freshest and best Sushi in the world. Tokyo also has the izakaya's. They are great if you want to be a bit adventurous. There is also the Tsukiji outer market that is a must see in Tokyo. You will find unique foods and drinks and will get to sample a lot of different things. Another unique food experience in Tokyo is a traditional tea ceremony. 

4. London, England

London is considered the food capital of the world...why? No where will you find the diverse options of international food, dining experiences, and food activities than in London. You can find every type of cuisine in London, it's not just fish and chips. On top of all the different cuisine you have all of the afternoon tea choices as well. London has markets like the Camden Market, and street food at Boxpark. 

5. Mexico City, Mexico

Who doesn't love Mexican food! And a trip to Mexico City gives you a chance to try authentic Mexican food. You can have a unique experience like making tortillas by hand. You can attend a cooking class and go on a market tour. If I ever make it to Mexico City, I am going to get Tacos Al Pastor. I've made them at home, but I want to try the real thing in Mexico. 

6. Bangkok, Thailand

Thai food is one of the most popular foods around the world. In Bangkok you can experience thai food as it was meant to be enjoyed, at night market from a street vendor. Bangkok also offers cooking classes, food tours, street food, and Michelin star restaurants. They even have floating markets outside of town if you want something unique. Street markets can be found everywhere in Bangkok so there is likely one nearby regardless of where you are staying. The street food is where it is out in Bangkok and bonus it is cheap and delicious. 

7. Barcelona, Spain

Popular local cuisine you will find in Barcelona is paella, croquettes, and gazpacho. Barcelona's most famous food market is La Boqueria and dates back to the 1200's. Of course, no visit to Spain is complete without Tapas. You can actually go on a Tapas Tour in Barcelona. Tapas are not from Barcelona though so for a real Barcelona experience you should go to a Catalan Bodega. This is the closest thing that is authentically from Barcelona to Tapas. Churros are also a traditional treat in Barcelona. Barcelona is also known as the best place to get great charcuterie. The most famous local dessert is the Crema Catalana a local version of Creme Brulee. 

8. Melbourne, Australia

Melbourne is one of the most coffee centric cities in the world. There are also hipster cafe's dotted around every corner. Melbourne is known for its Parma. An Australian take on chicken Parmigiana. It's a schnitzel topped with Napoli sauce, ham, and a thick layer of mozzarella all melted together. Queen Victoria Market is a must do and an interesting fact. It was built over an old burial ground. It is renowned for its fresh produce, high-quality meat, and baked goods. Food trucks have become a sensation in recent years and the best place to sample the food truck fare is at Food Truck Park. 

9. Munich, Germany

Food in Munch is not just beer, pretzels, and Oktoberfest. One of the most popular places to visit is the Viktualienmarkt. They have a 2-hour food tour, and it is the best way to explore the market. It is Munich's largest food market covering 240,000 sq ft and has 140 stalls. A must eat street food in Munich is the Bavarian sausage or wurst. It is served hot dog style. It's a great way to check out what's fresh and in season and to meet the producers of meat in the region. Typical German cuisine focuses heavily on bread, potatoes, and meat. In Munich, beer is considered a food. So, a trip to Munich would not be complete without a visit to a local beer garden. Munich has over 200 and many have been around for hundreds of years and serve locally brewed beer. The largest beer garden in the world is in Munich, called the Hirschgarten and can seat over 8000 patrons. Another great dish to try is spaetzle. It is a type of egg noodle. Is it any wonder that Munich has become a popular destination for foodies?

10. Hong Kong, China

Hong Kong has all kinds of food stalls, restaurants, and dishes with many different cultural influences. Food tours are one of the best ways to experience the food of Hong Kong. Hong Kong will give you the chance to try a lot of different foods you've never even heard of. The most iconic food in Hong Kong is Dim Sum. Another popular dish is roast goose. I will leave it up to you if that sounds good or not. I have had the opportunity of having food in Hong Kong, but only in the airport. I'm sure it was not the best the country had to offer. 

Honorable mentions

Prague, Czech Republic
Marakech, Morroco

Hanoi, Vietnam

Madrid, Spain

Shanghai, China

Vienna, Austria

New Delhi, India

Seoul, Korea

Tel Aviv, Israel

Dublin, Ireland

The Traveling Kitchen: Top US Foodie Destinations

When you are thinking about a travel destination the food may not be a reason most of you choose to go somewhere. However, there are many places right here in the US that have become a popular destination because of its food. Some places are popular because of regional foods that they offer. Some are popular because of the diverse options available at any budget. Some are popular because of popular festivals where food really shines. Today's post is all about foodie destinations found across the USA. If you are looking for inspiration for your next vacation look no further! I will provide 10 popular places as well as some honorable mentions. 

1. New York City

    New York City is a melting pot of cultures and that really shines through in the cuisine. You can enjoy any type of cuisine within the 300 square mile radius of NYC. You can find great cuisine from Chinatown to the Jewish delis. The city also boasts over 70 Michelin-starred restaurants. New York is known for its pizza and bagels especially. Not only is New York known for its great food, but it's also known for iconic restaurants. There is so much more to a great iconic restaurant than just great food. One of the places I've been that I loved was Tavern on the Green in Central Park. They serve rustic fare, and the setting was just beautiful. The setting and the environment play an important role in an iconic restaurant and NYC is rumored to have over 24,000 iconic restaurants. That is what makes NYC such a great foodie destination. 

2. New Orleans, LA

    New Orleans, LA is a city full of cuisine influenced by French, Spanish, African, German, and Cajun cultures. New Orleans not only has great restaurants and food to experience, but food is also part of the travel experience. You can go on culinary history tours, sidewalk food tours, destination kitchens, and tastebud food tours. New Orleans is also home to renown Chef Emeril Lagasse. I have not had the pleasure of going here yet, but it is on my list. I especially want to try the Beignets at Cafe Du Monde. It is the most famous restaurant to find these doughnut-like specialties. 

    

3. San Francisco, CA

    San Fransisco is a top travel destination because of its culinary ingenuity. It was the birthplace of the Impossible Burger, and the first city to embrace farm to table cuisine. It is also the place where sourdough bread was perfected. The Bay area has more than 50 Michelin- star rated restaurants. The city also has a large diverse offering of restaurants of all types. The city has excellent food tours and learning experiences available. San Francisco is also a leader in using local and sustainable food sources. Some even extending their sustainability commitment to their building and furnishings. The Bay area is also home to the Culinary Institute of America one of the premiere cooking schools. 

4. Los Angeles, CA

    Los Angeles has been a pioneer in California cuisine and fast-casual fare. LA has incredible produce and talented chefs. LA is known for its tacos, Korean barbeque, and its Armenian grilled meats. It's the sandwich though that shines. Every neighborhood has at least one sandwich of note, and many that are famous. LA is both culturally and ethnically diverse and its dining scene rivals NYC. LA is home to the famous In-n-Out Burger. It also has great street food scattered across the city. 

5. Portland, OR

    Portland mixes fresh local ingredients with a great community of adventurous chefs. Portland has been known as the "foodie capital of America" and "Best food city in America". Portland's food scene is not just found in the restaurants. Portland has incredible food carts and farmers markets. Portland is known for its pods. These are a group of food carts or trucks that form a group and stay in one place. Many pods now have real dining areas, some including fire pits, tables, and even stages for live music. 

6. Chicago, IL

    Being from Illinois, I've always heard about the Chicago style pizza, and I have tried it as a kid. I never realized how big the hot dog was in Chicago cuisine. Not just a regular beef hot dog either, premium hot dogs like the Wagyu hot dog. Anthony Bourdain was noted to admit that Chicago's hot dogs beat out the New York City hot dog. Makes me want to try one! Tip: never ask for ketchup on a Chicago style hot dog! I also never realized there were two types of Chicago pizza, the popular deep-dish pizza and the more regularly consumed tavern style which is a square cut thin crust pizza. Chicago offers more than the two types of pizza. Pizza is really something that Chicago excels at. Street food is a vital part of the Chicago food scene. Chicago is also home to the only Michelin-starred Filipino restaurant in the world- Kasama. 

7. Charleston, SC

    I have always heard Charleston as synonymous with great food and it is on the top of my travel wish list. Also known as the 'lowcountry', it celebrates the bounty of its surroundings. It is influenced by Europe, West Africa, and the West Indies. Standard ingredients are oysters, rice, okra, crabs, and grits. Seafood is a must in Charleston. A well-known dish is the popular Shrimp and Grits. The lowcountry boil is another popular dish- a combo of shrimp, sausage, corn, potatoes, and old bay seasoning. Charleston has the largest number of fine dining options per capita. 

8. Miami, FL

    Miami has a melting pot of cultures with a diverse food scene reflective of the cultures it contains. Latin American and Carribean cuisine are found throughout the city, with Cuban food shining. Little Havana is the epicenter of the Cuban cuisine in Miami. One of the most popular sandwiches, the Cubano, is a local spin on a ham and cheese sandwich. The food in Miami has a heavy emphasis on seafood and tropical fruits. Miami was named Bon Appetit's 2023 Food City of the Year. 

9. San Diego, CA

    San Diego is a blend of Spanish and American cuisine. It is well known for its seafood and tacos. There is a diversity of cuisine available and seasonal produce and seafood are bountiful. Known as 'the land of laid-back dining' due to its year-round availability of outdoor dining. Restaurants are dedicated to the farm to table philosophy. Tacos are big in San Diego with everyone having their favorite style and shop. San Diego is also home to the 2nd largest Filipino-American population and offers plenty of traditional and progressive Filipino cuisine. 

10. Austin, TX

    Known as the epicenter of oak-smoked barbecue and Tex-Mex. Austin is also a popular food truck locale. Food trucks are used to test new dishes before introducing them to physical restaurants. They source their ingredients locally. Austin is known as the foodie capital of Texas. Inspired by food from Mexico, American, Indian, Thai, Asian, and the Caribbean it has become one of the most interesting places to eat in Texas. 

Honorable mentions:

Savannah, GA-down south cooking

Houston, TX- barbecue

Philadelphia, PA- Philly Cheesesteak

Nashville, TN- Hot Chicken

Seattle, WA- innovative dishes

Portland, ME known for its lobster

The Organized Kitchen: Mason Jars

 

The newest kitchen organization trend is not even a new concept. I'm sure your mother or grandmother may have done this in the past. It is using mason jars to store your food stores. Mason jars can be used to store anything but today we are focusing on our pantry and refrigerator food stores. 

One way to use mason jars is to remove the food from the boxes they come in and use jars to store. The jars seal tight so things last longer, they are sustainable, and they take up less space. It is especially helpful if you tend to but products in bulk with minimal packaging. 

You can store your spices in mason jars or buy from a company that uses glass jars. This is a more sustainable practice. The jars then can be re-used for blends like homemade chili powder or italian seasoning. 

You can store fresh herbs in the fridge like a bouquet in a mason jar filled with water. This will also make your herbs last longer as well which will help cut down on food waste. 

Mason jars are also great at storing your produce in the refrigerator and also helps cut back on waste. Lettuce, strawberries, blueberries, carrots, celery, etc. can all be stored in mason jars in the refrigerator. Some research is needed because different items need to be stored differently. Some can be cut up like carrots and celery, but others like berries should be stored whole. Don't believe me? Give it a try and see how much longer your food lasts. Check out the video below from my sister in law's you tube channel, Planting Birches. She has become a believer in using mason jars to store her food and she did a video about the benefits (if you like her channel- subscribe for alerts).

The benefits of using mason jars in your kitchen storage:

• come in various sizes
• sturdy
• looks very nice 
• prolongs the life of your food items thus saving money and food waste
• keep pests out of grains
• can be used as drinking glasses as well as storage so are multipurpose
• you can find them everywhere from big box stores, to markets like Harvest Market, to antique and thrift stores.
• can be used in pantry, fridge, can be used as a container in the freeze, and is microwave safe. 
• Can use to store other kitchen items like utensils, cookie cutters, baking items
• You can also use them for prepared treats like cookies, trail mix, etc. 
• You can also buy just the lids for times when the lids need to be replaced but the jars are just fine
• Can be used as an herb planter
• Can be used to take lunches to work or school

History Cooks Demonstration: Chicken and Sausage Etouffee July 14th, 2023

 Friday, I had the opportunity to go to Lincoln's Home in Springfield IL and attend their History Cooks demonstration, which is part of the History Comes Alive program. The chef was Chef Howard Seidel and he made a chicken and sausage etouffee. 

The program started with a National Park Service employee talking a bit about New Orleans and what it would have been like in the early 1800's and how Abraham Lincoln connected with New Orleans. An interesting historical fact...New Orleans was the only southern city that Abraham Lincoln ever visited. Another interesting fact was that Lincoln could cook and when he worked on the flat boat was the designated cook according to one historian. 

They then turned it over to Chef Howard Seidel and he talked about cooking in that day a bit, he talked about the difference between creole and cajun cooking.  The bottom line is cajun is more rustic and found in parts outside New Orleans more, creole is more refined and found mostly in New Orleans. Creole also uses tomatoes and tomato based sauces while cajun does not. Creole food uses more seafood and cajun uses more smoked meats. 

He also was demonstrating how to make a popular New Orleans dish as he talked. Normally etouffee is made with shrimp or crawfish but due to the heat and possible allergies to shellfish he instead made it with chicken and sausage. Etouffee means 'smothered' and in this dish everything is cooked together in the juices of the vegetables and meat with a bit of oil or butter. 

One of the tips he provided had to do with seasoning. He said if you only remember one thing, I want you to remember this... season everything! If you are making a dish like this and you make rice to go with the dish season the rice as well as the dish. Even if it is just with salt and pepper. 

His mantra was seasoning + bland = bland. 

This dish used paprika, black pepper, thyme, and minced garlic.

His other tip had to do with dried seasonings like thyme for instance. He said anytime you use a dried herb it needs to be rehydrated. If you don't rehydrate the herbs, then the herb just tastes bland or bitter. To get the really good taste you have to add it to liquid to get it to rehydrate. This recipe used oil, tomato juice, and chicken broth as liquid. 

He also talked about the trinity of creole and cajun dishes which are: onion, celery, and bell peppers. These three things are the base for many dishes in the region. 

He mentioned things like when cooking with chicken if he can he likes to use boneless chicken thighs because they do not dry out like a chicken breast. He said chicken breasts are difficult to cook without drying them out. I personally prefer chicken thighs as well due to this fact. He also talked about tomatoes and that he likes to use canned tomatoes in juice from a good brand. He talked about cooking with parsley and how it adds a depth of flavor to dishes. In this dish as well, he added some red wine which was not on the recipe, he indicated if you do cook with wine to never use a cooking wine. He indicated cooking wine is just short of vinegar. 

Overall, it was a great way to spend an hour and to learn some cooking tips and techniques from a professional. Chef Howard is an instructor with the LLCC Culinary Arts program and has worked in restaurants all over, spending some time in New Orleans. At the end, we all got to try a bowl of the chicken and sausage etouffee. I was really excited about this dish because I had always wanted to try it. One thing he did say about creole and cajun cooking is that a lot of people think it should be really spicy but really it does not need to be spicy it just needs to be seasoned well. 

The finished produce smelled amazing and was so tasty. I really liked the parsley he added to the rice. Like he said I was expecting it to be spicy and it really was not overly spicy. Most of the spice probably came from the Andouille sausage more than the spices that were used. If you like spicier food, you could always add seasoning to kick it up like instead of smoked paprika use a hot paprika. 

At each demonstration they pass out a souvenir recipe card with the recipe that was used. It's a nice souvenir and a great way to recreate the recipe at home. 

I would encourage you, if you are able to, to check out one of the remaining sessions for the season. They are every Friday from 12-1pm at Lincoln's Home at the picnic tables outside the visitor's center.  The session next week with talk about some of the excavation of the site and how they learned some of the things that the Lincoln's would have eaten at the time. The last session is on August 4th so there is limited time left to attend a demonstration this summer. 

Thank a Farmer!

 

 I have a great respect for farmers. I am a granddaughter of farmers and have learned firsthand just how hard farmers work. Pictured above are my Grandpa Oren and my Grandma Hazel and Pappy farming. Farming is not only tiresome but can be risky at times. Farmers put so much into their work and do not get a lot back. Farming is so much a part of our ability to feed ourselves and our families. 

I have always respected the farmer, but I have not had the pleasure of seeing the whole process or a better statement is I have not paid attention in recent years. What has changed? One thing is I moved from the city into a rural area. I now drive through cornfields and beans on the regular. I have really taken the time this spring to look at the fields. Research the farming practices and enjoy the miracle of food growth. It has really made me respect the farmer even more. All the hard work that they put in day in and day out to make sure we all have the food we need. 

To put this in perspective a couple statistics.

Farmers will need to double their production by 2050 to keep up with population growth.

Only 210,000 full time US farmers produce 80% of our food and fiber.

For every $1 spent on food, farmers receive less than 12 cents for the raw products.

The average US farmer feeds 155 people. 

US farmers produce 40% of the world's corn.

Agriculture employs more than 24 million Americans.

Farmers endure drought, heat, rain, wind, snow, hail, and tornadoes to bring food to America's tables. 

Americans enjoy a food supply that is abundant and among the world's safest.

Country music is full of music honoring the farmer. This song really speaks to the job of the farmer. The sacrifice they make, the job they have to feed us all. This song is by Lee Brice and is called Farmer. 

Not only is being a farmer tiresome, and stressful at times, but it can be dangerous at times as well.  My family as well as many others have been impacted by farming accidents. Some families have given the ultimate sacrifice in the occupation of farming. But farming can be very rewarding as well. Farmers get to work outdoors, work in a close-knit community, and feed the planet. 

Farming is also a job in which you are always learning new things. New advancements are always coming out and new methods of farming are always being discovered. New methods like no-till farming, regenerative farming, and mono crop vs multi crop are ways that farmers have been learning in recent years. Farmers may embrace new methods for better yield or to grow more organic which ends up affecting their bottom line. There are also new technologies being used like robots and drones in farming. The University of Illinois has the I-Farm: Farm of the future project which develops an 80 acre agricultural testbed where commodity crops and livestock are farmed using synergistic and sustainable practices. 

So next time you are driving through the country in the midst of cornfields and beans...think of the farmer that worked so hard to make sure the crop is healthy, plentiful, and successful. 

Next time you are at the grocery store buying your produce and meat...think of the farmer that grew that harvest and raised that livestock.

Next time you are eating at that restaurant...think of the farmer that grew the ingredients that make up that delicious dish you are enjoying. 

And next time you are eating dinner with your family around your table...think of the farmer who gave up time with his family so you could have a good meal and time spent with yours. 

George Washington once said, "Agriculture is the most healthful, most useful, and most noble employment of man." So, when you are doing all of those things that remind you of the farmer. Don't forget to thank that farmer. 

If you have a farmer in your life...maybe think of ways you can help that farmer as a thank you. If that farmer is single, maybe fix him a meal. If he has a family, maybe help his family with things like watching the kids or helping around the house. Whatever you are able to do. If you are not able to do any of that, maybe just send them a note. Let them know that you appreciate all that they do and the sacrifice that they make. 

So, the next time you are behind that tractor on the road...chugalugging its way...remember that farmer. Be patient, keep him safe as well as yourself. Wave to that farmer in passing, as a thank you. And be grateful for all the sacrifices that he makes so you can have food to eat around your table. 

And, if you need a bit of a reminder, here is a catchy farming song that is one of my favorites! International Harvester by Craig Morgan.

If you want to follow some inspiring stories about local farmers and even learn more about the farming industry, check out the Prairie Farmer! It is the oldest continually published magazine in America with 175 years of continuous publishing. Plus, it focuses on farming in Illinois. As an added bonus one of the writers is my cousin, Betty Haynes! This magazine covers everything from environment, methods, livestock, even cooking! 

Thanks to all the farmers, especially Uncle Jeff, my cousins Mike and Kassie, and Casey M. And thanks to the retired farmers who were so inspirational to me and showed me what hard work looks like. Thanks Pappy!

The Sustainable Kitchen: eco-friendly tips in the kitchen to celebrate Earth Day and beyond

 Being more sustainable in the kitchen is overwhelming I know. I listened to a podcast last year that really made it less overwhelming for me. It stressed how it's impossible to go from nothing to a complete green lifestyle at once. The key is to start with one thing that you can change and go from there. 

In this post I am going to give some options of ways you can go green in the kitchen. I don't want it to be overwhelming so if you decide to make a change...start small. Pick one thing you think you can do. To be honest, I don't do all of these things either. I still am working on small changes as well. 

1. Eat less meat

    This does not mean you have to go vegetarian or vegan. It can be as simple as cutting back on meat one a month or once a week. Incorporate Meatless Mondays into your schedule. It's a great time to experiment with new recipes. 

2. Cut back on paper products

    Again, this does not mean you can no longer use paper products. It could be picking one thing to replace first then add on later. It could be switching to a more sustainable type of paper product like bamboo. You can choose to use dish towels or Swedish dishcloths instead of paper towels, cloth napkins instead of paper, use bamboo paper towels. Instead of paper bags try to use reusable bags. 

3. Use less plastic

    This is not recycling that comes later. This is replacing your plastic with other eco-friendly options. You can use reuseable bags instead of plastic bags, replace plastic containers with glass ones, use produce bags, use resuseable water bottles and coffee mugs.

4. Recycle/Reduce/Reuse

    Start a recycling program, find ways to reuse items (ie: glass jars), reduce what you use. Don't buy what you don't need.

5. Waste Food Less

This goes hand in hand with step 4. A good way to do this is to meal plan. Only buy what you need. And leftovers are your friends. If you don't eat all of your meal, don't throw out the leftovers. Either eat the leftovers for lunch, learn to make less, or better yet share a meal.

6. Compost

    There are certain things we don't eat of say veggies and fruits like stems and seeds. There are green and brown materials that can be composted. The ideal compost ratio is 2/3 brown to 1/3 green. You should turn your compost weekly and add water so the contents stay moist.

7. Buy food in bulk

    Not only does this reduce your packaging (plastic/paper), often it is cheaper. The trick...do you have the space to store the bulk items. Don't buy bulk anything that is going to go bad or be wasted. 

8. Shop local

    Shopping local has many benefits. It is cheaper to transport and uses less energy to transport. If you buy local, you are supporting small business owners and not large corporations. This also means a lot more of your items are US made products. Shopping local at farmers markets and greenhouses also means that your produce is fresher, lasts longer, and is better quality.  

9. Buy sustainable products

    When you are in the market for new products think sustainable. How does the item impact the environment, is there a better made product, is there a cheaper alternative, or is there an alternative that I can reuse? Things that are popular are silicone items (like muffin cups, hotpads, baking mats, etc), jars for storage, long lasting items when looking or things like cookware, and buying from companies that are eco-friendly (ie burlap and barrel).

10. Educate yourself

 

    A couple ways to educate yourself is to listen to things like podcasts, listen to experts, and  shop at places that focus on sustainability. A podast/blog I have liked is Brightly Eco.  They cover all types of items that are sustainable and have an online shop, they also cover everything from kitchen to fashion to pet supplies. They have the Good Together podcast that has a lot of good information. 

Another way to educate yourself is to check out a refillery. Springfield IL has a local refillery, The Keep Store, It is a local refillery that is almost zero waste. You can bring your own containers, or they have containers there you can buy, You can also leave a container if you have extras. They have everything from personal care items to kitchen items, kids items, toys, soaps, etc. You can order online for pickup and they have recently started a Terracycle program for drop off recycling for certain items.