I used to avoid eating tofu because of the genetically modified organisms found in many soy products and a lack of options for buying it very fresh. But then I moved to Lawrence, Kansas and found the extra firm tofu (and tempeh!) created by longtime local favorite Central Soyfoods. A few reasons they won me over:

• They're organic: Central Soyfoods uses 100% organic soybeans in their tofu and tempeh.

• They're local: All of their soybeans are grown by Kansas organic farmers or nearby organic farmers who are part of the Kansas Organic Producers Association.

• They've been around: Central Soyfoods was founded in 1978, so they've been around as long as I have and have become a trusted source of tofu for our local grocers, many area restaurants, and retail customers throughout the region.

• They're small: We're not talking industrial-scaled food production here. Central Soyfoods is owned by a handful of member-owners and produces about 100,000 pounds of tofu in a year.

Pictured up top is the early owner of Central Soyfoods, Jim Cooley, preparing tofu samples at the Community Mercantile - Lawrence's cooperative market - over three decades ago. Directly above, you can see the four varieties of extra firm tofu produced by Central Soyfoods: Plain, Hot Fiesta, Hickory Smoked, and Garlic Herb.

Related: Ingredient Spotlight: Tofu

(Images: Community Mercantile, Community Mercantile Archives)