Eating Local

With our local Olive Garden closing, I have heard (and read) a lot of comments about eating local.  I do support the eat local movement.  I cringe every time I see someone with a jug of Canadian maple syrup in their cart at the grocery store. Most of the farmers' markets I attend require vendors to have grown, raised, or produced their wares themselves; which I think is important.  I think it is wonderful that some of our local farmers are supported by our local restaurants, where they regularly use their meats and produce in their kitchens.  Being a small business owner that is dependent upon the support from my community, I think it is important to support the local, non-chain restaurants that are around town. 
But, guess what? 
I also eat at the chain restaurants that are abundant in our area.  My family probably does eat out more than we should, and we are working on cutting back on that.  The few times a month we do eat out, chances are at least one of those times is going to be at a chain restaurant.  And I'm okay with that.  Yes, I realize that most of the food is frozen and reheated once ordered.  Yes, I know that I am contributing to whatever big corporation owns the chain. 
But, guess what? 
I am also supporting local.
How? you might ask.
The student who is working there trying to pay their tuition.  The recent college graduate who is working there while trying to find a job in the "real world" and still needs a way to pay their rent.  Those who are working there as their second (or third) job, income for some to pay their bills, and income for others as their Christmas or vacation funds.  These people, the staff at these chain restaurants, are local.  They are part of our community.  And for these local people who worked at our local Olive Garden?  Well, they are now out of a job.  So, for those of you who are bashing Olive Garden and chain restaurants, think about the people who work at these establishments. Because they are local.
I would like to thank the staff from our Olive Garden.  Thank you for riding it out as long as you did with our changing economy.  Thank you for the delicious lunches and dinners over the years.  Thank you for bottles and bottles of that addicting salad dressing.  Thank you for service with a smile, even after I have asked for my umpteenth basket of breadsticks and bowl of salad.  I wish all of the staff the best of luck.  They, as staff at Olive Garden, will be missed in our community.