Aaaand we're back!
Didn't want to overload you there with too much information. Okay, Kim, you might say at this point, I now know why eating local is a good idea (and my local library has given me lots of other information also). But how, exactly, does one eat local? Well, I reply, it begins by eating with the seasons. I'd starve! you say. Not at all, what's available in late fall is generally available during the winter, and then there's canning, of course. Not to mention meat and dairy products are available year-round. Canning today isn't strictly necessary, and it's not a matter of life and death, but it does add variety to an otherwise rather regulated diet of apples and squash.
Places to get local food:
~Farmers' Markets
There are way more of these around than there used to be, since there was a serious dip in local food production between the Victory Gardens at the end of WW2 and the local food/foodie interest explosion of recent years. Between those times commercial agriculture has thrived and flourish and, to be quite honest, festered. Farmer's markets don't just have leafy greens, you know. They can have local meats, wines, honey, syrup, oils for cooking, spices, pastas, etc. Pretty much everything you need to stock a pantry, actually. :) A quick Google search will bring up what's available near you.
~Co-ops
Co-ops usually recieve local ingredients, although not everything, and not all the time. It's worth doing a bit a research to see what's available in your area. Then again, some local supermarkets may also carry what you're looking for, too. In Madison the Willy Street Co-op and Metcalfe's (sp?) are two examples.
~CSA (Community Supported Agriculture)
These are, as far as I understand it, sort of like doing a dedicated mail order of food. You sign up with a local farm for a period of anywhere from 3 months to 1 year, and every month/week or so (there are lots of choices). You pay the farmer up front, which is where the risk factor comes in, and then for the given period of time you can come and pick up your food at the drop-off point every few weeks. You get to meet your farmer, give direct feedback, make friends, exchange recipies, and in some places you can even volunteer to assist in the production of your own food or manning the drop-off tent. Be a part of the experience, in other words. You can always ask your local farms if they do CSAs, or if they're a meat farm, whether you can buy a whole/half/quarter of an animal the next time they butcher.
But don't take my advice, go out and find out for yourself! There are plenty of resources on the internet, as well as your local library, where you can discover the hidden possibilities of eating local.
Well, now we know why it's a great idea and where to get pantry-fodder. Some markets even take place in the winter-time and so do some CSA's, so you won't go completely hungry. :)
I've got lots more I'm learning, and a few things I looked into in person while Emmy and I were down at the Dane County Farmer's Market this weekend during our weekly pilgrimage to Fromagination, but I'll save those for next time.
Hope I've piqued your interest! Feel free to leave me a comment below and tell us what eating local is like where you come from!
xoxoxo
Kim & Emmy
Didn't want to overload you there with too much information. Okay, Kim, you might say at this point, I now know why eating local is a good idea (and my local library has given me lots of other information also). But how, exactly, does one eat local? Well, I reply, it begins by eating with the seasons. I'd starve! you say. Not at all, what's available in late fall is generally available during the winter, and then there's canning, of course. Not to mention meat and dairy products are available year-round. Canning today isn't strictly necessary, and it's not a matter of life and death, but it does add variety to an otherwise rather regulated diet of apples and squash.
Places to get local food:
~Farmers' Markets
There are way more of these around than there used to be, since there was a serious dip in local food production between the Victory Gardens at the end of WW2 and the local food/foodie interest explosion of recent years. Between those times commercial agriculture has thrived and flourish and, to be quite honest, festered. Farmer's markets don't just have leafy greens, you know. They can have local meats, wines, honey, syrup, oils for cooking, spices, pastas, etc. Pretty much everything you need to stock a pantry, actually. :) A quick Google search will bring up what's available near you.
~Co-ops
Co-ops usually recieve local ingredients, although not everything, and not all the time. It's worth doing a bit a research to see what's available in your area. Then again, some local supermarkets may also carry what you're looking for, too. In Madison the Willy Street Co-op and Metcalfe's (sp?) are two examples.
~CSA (Community Supported Agriculture)
These are, as far as I understand it, sort of like doing a dedicated mail order of food. You sign up with a local farm for a period of anywhere from 3 months to 1 year, and every month/week or so (there are lots of choices). You pay the farmer up front, which is where the risk factor comes in, and then for the given period of time you can come and pick up your food at the drop-off point every few weeks. You get to meet your farmer, give direct feedback, make friends, exchange recipies, and in some places you can even volunteer to assist in the production of your own food or manning the drop-off tent. Be a part of the experience, in other words. You can always ask your local farms if they do CSAs, or if they're a meat farm, whether you can buy a whole/half/quarter of an animal the next time they butcher.
But don't take my advice, go out and find out for yourself! There are plenty of resources on the internet, as well as your local library, where you can discover the hidden possibilities of eating local.
Well, now we know why it's a great idea and where to get pantry-fodder. Some markets even take place in the winter-time and so do some CSA's, so you won't go completely hungry. :)
I've got lots more I'm learning, and a few things I looked into in person while Emmy and I were down at the Dane County Farmer's Market this weekend during our weekly pilgrimage to Fromagination, but I'll save those for next time.
Hope I've piqued your interest! Feel free to leave me a comment below and tell us what eating local is like where you come from!
xoxoxo
Kim & Emmy
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