Kosher in Detroit—I agree with you a great deal. I hate that everything is becoming more and more homogenized. Since I’ve been here the last few years, I have had a marvelous time incorporating new (to me) ingredients from the area, scouting out a farm that makes a ewes’ milk cheese, eggs from a neighbor, etc. And there are certain things I would never eat except in situ—oysters on the half-shell, pina coladas (though not those two together. Add a Quaalude and it sounds like the menu at a 1970’s perv night at the Regal Beagle). And I’m not trying to just eat “imported” stuff, closing my eyes and pretending to be somewhere else. But I don’t think I should have to turn the page in dismay when I read those dread words at the end of a recipe: “*Available at your local Asian Market”, “*Found at your well-stocked Spanish food purveyors”. Will I never get to try my hand at risotto, because I lack the wrong kind of rice? Or try cardamom pods? Or recreate the minestrone soup I used to help my mom cook, because the store doesn’t have everything? I think the best cooking, in every sense of the word, is strongly based in and informed by where you are and when it is, but allows for occasional nostalgia, whimsy, experimentation…

Try Foodzie - this site can get you to local vendors.

I love Rancho Gordo beans. Shipping is a flat $5, so do a big order with a friend or two. The beans are unusual and delicious and although dried, much fresher than any supermarket variety with really great flavor.

@kosher in detroit, I also live in a rural area in between two small towns of 40,000 or so and have the same problem of availablity of high end or gourmet products. Yes, I have great locally grown produce, wild mushrroms, cultivated mushrooms and truffes in addtion to local organically raised beef, lamb, poultry and pork, honey, eggs , milk and cheese. But I do not have many stores to select from and have a 30-90 minute drive to get anything other than typical grocery stoer fare. So online availability has opened up a whole new spectrum as to whats available other than the norm. So, mklug I understand.

Check out the new cookbook "Noma" from Rene Redzepi's Copenhagen restaurant (of the same name). Essentially, no matter where you are in the world, there are always great local ingredients around you. It may be a little difficult to find, but once you see them, your food will always stay connected to time and place, something that is becoming increasingly lost in modern times.

When I need something I google it specifically. I can't believe how many purveyor's come up when looking for any food Items other than Candian cheese. I shop on line for most things food related or "Gourmet" items because of the variety. I have a long list of favorites but your best bet is to just google. And because of this I have more jars of imported mustard and hot sauces then I care to mention let alone access to imported cheese and wine as well as french butter. Anything you want is at your fingertips. Good luck.

Urban Herbs carries a terrific assortment of dried beans and grains, also herbs, rice, and fancy salts and vanilla beans -- http://www.urbanherbsonline.com/ Also love Penzey's and Chef Shop

I guess it depends on what kind of "food stuff" you are sourcing, but a good place to browse is http://www.thesurfasgroup.com/ Their brick and mortar location is part restaurant supply and part gourmet store. I also use www.donajuana.com for Spanish charcuterie and kitchen parts. If you could be more specific on your needs I could suggest more.

Love SpiceHouse and KingArthurFlour (and I live in NYC).

Try Penzey's for spices and herbs. .http://www.penzeys.com/
Great selection, homey site, good prices.

I have Amazon.com to be a very good source for specialty foods at good prices. I buy Zico coconut water, Lyle's Golden Syrup, and my Risotto rice from Amazon.com. You can even have them ship them weekly/ monthly for a discount (sometimes). The shipping is free, if you buy over $25 worth of goods and fairly quick. They also have a pretty good returns policy. I know a lot of people wouldn't think Amazon.com to have such good deals on food stuffs, but give them a try.

I have had excellent luck with Chef Shop. When our local Whole Foods stopped selling Le Puy lentils, I found them at their online store. I usually call them when I order because they are fun to talk with. Very friendly, very knowledgeable, dependable shipping. Interesting product line.

I'm in the same boat - rural West TN town of 3,000 (We have to drive 60 miles roundtrip just to get bleu cheese!). Anyway, I'll contribute a tip on spices: The Spice House at http://www.thespicehouse.com/ . I find good spices one of the hardest things to get here in the boondocks. Spice House prices are great and shipping via Prioriy mail very quick and cheap. Their smoked paprika and greek oregano are especially good.