Inspired by my uncle's post on seasonal drinks, I thought I would post about the farmer's market and gardening. In the last couple of years, I've been trying to go to the farmer's market as often as possible. For one thing, the food there is really fresh and tasty. Secondly, a lot of it is organically grown. And third, it supports local businesses, which is important to me.
The "eat locally" movement is really growing across the U.S. Here it is a little harder, because our winter is so long. By late spring, anything fresh except for carrots and potatoes pretty much has to be shipped from outside. The last couple of winters, I have belonged to a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) group out of Seattle. All winter long, I get boxes of fresh, organically grown vegetables.
One thing that bothers me is that my CSA isn't local, which kind of defeats the purpose of the CSA. Until now, we haven't really had any local CSAs, and certainly not very flexible ones. However, this year, Glacier Valley Farms started one that is similar to the one out of Seattle. You can place orders from week to week (instead of having to sign up for a whole season), and in the winter they do supplement with fruits and vegetables grown Outside.
For the summer though, I'm going to the farmer's market. We have several -- a small one on Wednesdays, and 2 or 3 big ones on Saturdays. I haven't been to the biggest one on Saturday because it's kind of far away and I like to try to rid my bike. But this year I'm going at least once, because I'm interested in all of the local products (bread, veggies, plants, and hopefully even eggs) they have available.
I also started some onion seeds this year with the idea of planting a garden. Sadly, that is not coming along very well. For one thing, the onions seem pretty week. Secondly, the little area I want to plant for a garden has a bunch of grass in it and I need to dig it up. Third, a certain bad little doggy has pooped there a couple of times now. THAT's gotta stop. I think if I dig it up and actually make it, you know, a garden, then it will be easier to keep him out of it.
Enough for now. I hope to start posting a little more often in the upcoming months and keep you updated.
5 comments:
yay for spring and farmer's markets! the markets are starting up here, too -- i can't wait for corn on the cob! it's interesting that you get your "local" produce is supplemented from seattle -- at least it's still fresh.
ps -- i love your title photo -- gorgeous
Yay, you are still alive. I have missed your posts! I would love to go to our local farmers market, but it is Wed. 8am-5pm and I work. There are lot on Saturdays, but I have to drive to all of them.
Vanessa, usually by the middle of the summer our local produce is all local, but in the beginning things are rather sparse. I miss Ohio and your wonderful produce! Thanks for the compliment on the title, btw.
Henna -- you are also alive! I've missed you! I hope you're going to be posting more too (hint, hint)...
I've also been trying to buy more locally grown produce since reading "The Omnivore's Dilemma". The CSA sounds like a good solution for the winter months. I'll have to look into finding one around here.
The Omnivore's Dilemma! That one is on my "To Read" list. I'll try to get to it this summer, for sure.
Post a Comment