I spent yesterday morning with a few friends who have, like me, made changes in the way they shop for and prepare food. I expected the discussion to be thought-provoking. What I did not expect was how different all of our reasons are for stepping off the conventional industrial path.
I’m assuming that since you’re reading this, you also have an interest in eating locally, seasonally, organic, or humanely-raised. (Or all of the above). But why? It’s easier and often cheaper to shop by price only in mainstream stores. What prompted your change?
Did you watch Food, Inc.?
Did you read The Omnivore’s Dilemma?
Did you read an article about pesticide contamination?
Do you care about the fair treatment of laborers? The fair treatment of animals?
What are your reasons for paying attention to your food and where it comes from?
And just as important, since we all have limited budgets, what areas do you focus on?
I suppose I have many reasons for eating locally, sustainably, humanely, and organically… but they mostly stem from one idea. I like knowing what is, and isn’t, in my food – and the easiest way to do that is to eat local produce and dairy from farmers you know and trust.
If you’re eating locally and seasonably, it’s more likely that your food is grown organically rather than being treated with chemicals to keep it crisp or fresh, or to help it grow out of season. And if you support local farms (as opposed to corporate farming giants) you’re probably supporting fair labor practices, as well.
I just addressed my somewhat recent conversion to local foodie; I originally just focused on consuming local produce, but now I’m focused on being less of a corporate consumer across all areas of my life. When faced with the choice of an organic apple from New Zealand or a conventionally-grown apple from Colorado, I’m likely to choose the conventionally-grown apple, just because I feel that even though it may not be organic, it has less food miles attached to it, and probably tastes fresher, and is probably cheaper. Furthermore, it may even be from a farm that uses mostly organic methods but can’t afford the certification fees.
This year, I’m hoping to score a plot at a community garden and grow most of the produce we’ll consume, at least during the summer. We’ll see how it works out for us… I’ve never gardened before, so we might be wholly dependent on the farmers’ markets again! I’d like to try, though.
I really enjoy your blog and I’m sorry I left such an essay here! I’m anxious to see what others say as well. – Carter @ The Kitchenette
Thanks for your long and thoughtful response. If you’re able to get that plot, please let me know how it goes. My family grew a few things this summer in our yard, but the trees are so old and big (and the urban lot is so small) that the yield was low, probably due to insufficient sunlight. Growing your own makes so much sense if you can pull it off. I think I’ll stick to herbs and swiss chard…and my CSA.
I’m also glad you brought up the part about certification fees. I haven’t covered this topic much on the blog, but it’s a very important one. Many farmers at farmers’ markets will tell you they’re “beyond organic.” By this they mean they haven’t wanted to tackle the mountain of paperwork required to become certified organic, but they’re practicing crop rotation, shunning chemical pesticides and fertilizers, etc. It goes without saying (but I’ll say it anyway!) that when you’re shopping at farmers’ markets, it pays to spend a ew extra minutes talking to the person behind the table. Their stuff might be as good as organic, just without the label.
Local, organic and ethical eating was something I did without thinking. Buying a share with a local csa was cheaper than the grocery store, and tasted better. Becasue the farmer knew we liked pesto she would give us pounds of basil still warm from the sun. That year we ate better in with more varierty than we ever had. Local farmer stands have always been the meaning of summer to me. The shorter time the vegetable or fruit has been out of the ground on it’s way to my mouth the better.
Then I read Animal Vegetable Miracle and my world changed. Buying local, organic and ethical food was a conscious choice. I searched out local pork farmers, lamb and bison. It bacame something interesting. We got to know the farmers, we blessed them at every meal. While we have to expand our “local” definition to 300 miles (nothing grows up here on a mountain except pine) our comsuption experience is more fun, cheaper, and tastes wolrds apart from conventional offerings.