John and Julie StehlingNat Damm  John and Julie Stehling
Owners, Early Girl Eatery Asheville, N.C.  In 2001, John and
Julie Stehling, now 42 and 39, had a radical idea: Let’s start a
restaurant that sources as much as possible from its foodshed,
and let’s serve simple, diner-style fare at accessible prices.
At that time, most local-minded restaurants were foodie temples,
with the menu prices to prove it. (Think Chez Panisse.) Today,
with the sustainable-food movement focusing more on broadening
access and with the economy in the doldrums, restaurants that
combine eco-consciousness with affordability are all the rage.
At the the Stehlings pioneering Early Girl Eatery in Asheville,
N.C., a huge proportion of the restaurant’s produce, meat, and
condiments comes from local producers—even the fiery table-top
hot sauce and salt. And the hearty breakfasts inspire Asheville
residents to queue up down the block.