Livin' la vida local

Another Good Read

2008-07-31T10:10:00.000-07:00

Need a little inspiration for local eating? Check out Plenty: One man, one woman and a raucous year of eating locally by Alisa Smith & J. B. Mackinnon (the creators of the 100 mile diet) and prepare to laugh and be amazed. I am shocked by the resources that they found within 100 miles of home. Because of them, I feel hopeful about our quest for local organic flour - it has to be out there - do you have any leads?

Jen just sent me this great article about an Indiana community's 100 mile potluck. We should try it here.

Oh my gosh!

2008-07-30T12:38:00.000-07:00

Real people read this blog besides myself! I'd better post something! Well, it bears telling that Graber Farms was AWESOME, but it's a good thing we went when we did because the blueberry season is short, and so were those bushes. We got just under six pounds of berries, though I think we only got that many because a spunky kitten followed us to the fields and kept our kids happily busy. We have been thrilled with the flavor of the berries, and were sad they were out by the following weekend.

Going to Graber...

2008-07-16T04:30:00.000-07:00

We're going blueberry picking with friends at Graber Farms, a local organic farm next Saturday. We'll let you know all about it!

Barr Street Market to open soon!

2008-06-26T09:32:00.000-07:00

The Barr Street Market is a farmers market with a great variety of locally grown fruits, vegetables, honey, beeswax products, baked goods, organic produce, fresh-cut flowers, live music, a kid craft table, and more! And it's kicking off Saturday, July 12th at 9:00 a.m.-- just in time for Three Rivers Festival. The market will be on Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. till 1:00 p.m. at the corner of Barr and East Wayne Street.

We can also pick up a Green Guide by Grassroots Green that contains money-saving coupons as well as articles about green living. They cost $15-- a cost that can be partially recouped right at the Barr St. Market (some of the vendors are right there at the market and have coupons in the book). Proceeds benefit Young Leaders of Northeast Indiana, who put on the market each year.

There are even more local food choices available this year-- let's check it out!

Side Yard Eats

2008-06-19T13:23:00.000-07:00

This is a photo of the herb patch that sits outside of our kitchen door. It is my favorite part of our garden - it is so easy to grow herbs. I had no idea. And it is rewarding to step outside and snip something to flavor dinner. We are still using basil that we dried last summer.
We purchased most of our plants at the Botanical Conservatory plant sale in May, but they have plants for sale year-round at the Conservatory. Give them a call to see what they have available. I have also picked up herb plants at Schmucker's Produce Market (12815 Doty Road- 46774)

More people saying no to high food prices

2008-06-19T10:53:00.001-07:00

While researching rain barrels online lately I came across yet another article describing a family that decided to rip out a huge portion of yard to garden in reaction to high food prices. The Wall Street Journal blog post is a couple weeks old now, but the sentiment is completely salient. More and more people are discovering gardening, and for more and more reasons.

As first-year gardeners, we've already made a lot of mistakes with our three raised beds. We started far too late for many things. But this week our family rejoiced over spinach, bronze lettuce, a new crown of broccoli, three green cherry tomatoes, a tiny patty pan squash, three lil green peppers, bean blossoms, and sweet peas. We knew it would probably happen, and yet it is still amazing and slightly surprising. We sit back and laugh in wonder at how it all works, and creep back out to see what has changed by the end of the day. Our eldest child is convinced that her singing is helping, a la one of her favorite stories, The Giant Carrot. (There isn't room for her to dance like the character Isabelle). And who's to say? Even with our late start, things seem to be going well enough, so the singing might be just the thing.

Co-op update

2008-06-15T03:59:00.001-07:00

OK, Kat has her own blog going now, and will have updates going soon. You can find it her e. Check it out if you're interested in joining a food co-op where you'll have one place to go for fresh local produce, eggs, meats, and other products you've ordered.

You will be the pick-up person from time to time as well, but only occasionally-- as opposed to near-constantly (as the person who is not currently producing everything needed for sustainable living in their own backyard might be doing now).

I'm feeling great about a new way to feed our bellies with healthy, fresh, local foods, boost local economy, utilize the possible cost-savings of a co-op, and reduce my carbon footprint by not driving to five places to get the items I want for our family. Way to go, Kat! This project will assist many people in many, many ways.

Think global, eat local!

2008-06-14T07:04:00.000-07:00

Kathleen Hickey, TD(DONA), mother of four and a birth doula, is presenting information about thinking globally and eating locally at our local Holisitic Moms Network meeting today. Kat's also the coordinator for a local farm-to-consumer food co-operative. The mission of the co-op is to help connect families with the resources to eat locally. I'm headed to the meeting in order to learn more about how to eat more healthfully, economically, and locally. It's better for our family, for local farmers, and for the environment.

Interested? I'll keep you posted here.

Egg hunt in June

2008-06-12T07:10:00.000-07:00

We found a local source for eggs and not only went to pick them up with a friend-- we got to pick them out, too! Chickens, as it turns out, don't lay eggs in wholly expected places. It requires a careful collector to find all of them. Fortunately, our kids had a patient teacher to show them all the likely hidey holes.

They also got to see pear trees, plum trees, apple trees, two large vegetable gardens, and a shade garden, one renegade cat and two happy dogs along the way. It was quite a fun farm trip! We learned about the benefits of the color red for tomatoes, about "June drop" in fruit trees, and why some plants had netting over their tops. We also virtually watched sweet peas growing on the vine. They're fast!

Our garden has a long way to go, but it does give us an appreciation for the way things grow to visit such a large and thriving farm. Thanks! We're looking forward to visiting again!

3-2-1- compost!

2008-05-02T19:47:00.000-07:00

Today's a day we've been working toward for quite some time-- we built our compost bin! The neighbors, who have been studying gardening topics with us for quite some time, helped us put it in. We're really excited and are looking forward to using our leftovers in a new way as much as we're eagerly anticipating the rich, black soil we'll get for our Garden Experiment.

Square foot gardening

2008-04-28T15:05:00.000-07:00

Bought the wood for square foot garden beds this weekend, and posts and poultry wire for a compost heap today. Now we're looking for someone who has a sledgehammer so we can get those posts down into the dirt. Anybody?

Must Read

2008-03-05T18:25:00.000-08:00

I must now, before I am even done with it because it is THAT GOOD, recommend Michael Pollan's The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals. If Animal, Vegetable, Miracle spoke to you, this one will too, but louder. Oh my, will it ever.

Helpful Books

2008-02-26T10:43:00.000-08:00

I read quite a bit on gardening, farming, and the like, but only some of the titles I read are truly, wonderfully helpful.

Gardener to Gardener: Seed Starting Primer and Almanac was so wonderful, I tried to buy it. Alas, could not get it through Baker & Taylor. You can, however, borrow a copy from the library!

The Gardener's A-Z Guide to Growing Organic Food is the other book I found that I actually used (as opposed to looking at the pictures and wishing my garden looked like that). This one I was able to buy, and I read it at night when I can't sleep. Amazing that I don't dream of strawberries and asparagus!

Seed starting stuff

2008-01-30T16:59:00.001-08:00

Today a friend sent me home with:

two boxes of seed starting supplies on loan
a personal walk-through
a book to figure it all out
and a vow of support should I need it

Other friends were going on vacation to a Bountiful Gardens store location, and will pick up our seeds while they're there. This gardening thing is beginning to feel real... except for we haven't DONE anything yet!

Peaceful Valley Farm & Garden Supply

2008-01-26T12:21:00.000-08:00

Yet another amazing organic growing catalog-- this one from the fine folks at Peaceful Valley Farm & Garden Supply is on my nightstand. I've enjoyed it a great deal, and am happy to pass it on to anyone who might wish to see it next...

Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds

2008-01-18T07:13:00.001-08:00

I just got a lovely, glossy catalog from Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds. I have pored through it to my heart's content now, and am happy to pass it on to the next planner. Any takers?

The sugarbush

2008-01-18T06:44:00.001-08:00

I was talking to a woman who works at Science Central, another locally-minded person, and she recommends the sugarbush for those who would like to volunteer at a real maple syrup farm (chopping wood, collecting sap, carrying said wood, etc). It sounds like an amazing opportunity for those with older children (Kindergarten, or so). Also, you can purchase maple syrup there as well. By the way, has anyone ever been to the Christmas tree farm on St. Joe Rd.? It is also a maple syrup farm, but everytime I've gone to get information there they are closed. Has anyone been there and if so, could you please give us the information you have?
Here's the link for more info on the sugarbush:
http://www.goshen.edu/merrylea/sugar/MAPLE.HTM

Lovely local eggs

2008-01-09T13:37:00.000-08:00

Our friend Christine knows a local egg supplier who usually only has enough eggs for her normal customers, but around the holidays she has more than she can use. Guess who just got eighteen big beautiful brown eggs for $1.75/dozen? I think I have to make oatmeal cookies right this moment! Who knows what may happen if this egg entrepreneur finds our area to be more and more interested in local food sources... And thanks, Christine!

Seven Sons Meat Sale!

2008-01-08T06:06:00.001-08:00

I just received an e-ad from Seven Sons. Cut-up free range chickens and whole turkeys are 50% off. Visit the farm store to get this great deal.

More yogurt lids, please!

2008-01-07T10:56:00.000-08:00

OK, I already turned in my offer for a free subscription to Organic Gardening, but have two lids for the Organic Gardening offer if anyone needs them. If not, I'd appreciate ANY Stonyfield Farms yogurt lids because now the first 250 customers who turn in 25 lids to Stonyfield Farms dairy or soy yogurts can get a free autographed copy of Stirring it Up: How to Make Money and Save the World. I want to read that book, but wouldn't argue about a free copy-- I'd even donate it to the library once we're all finished with it!

Thanks, all!

Earth Laughing Farm

2008-01-03T08:42:00.000-08:00

Yesterday morning we visited Earth Laughing Farm in Leo to buy raw wool and eggs. The eggs are beautiful and reasonably priced at $2/dozen.

The wool is, well, it is raw wool (read: stinky) and just what I needed. I am going to use it in a fiber art program to show kids the process from sheep to finished product. The farmers were extremely helpful and even gave me some carded wool and yarn!

We are on the egg list so we should be able to pick up more eggs in a few weeks. If you would like eggs, contact the farm OR comment here and we'll pick some up for you and make a smaller CFP.

The farm will have produce in the summer, chickens in the spring and turkeys in November if you order them soon.

Garden dreams

2007-12-30T09:01:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite parts of crafting is looking through the books and figuring out what I want to make next. Turns out that once the kids are sweetly sleeping, another enjoyable wintry evening pastime is a stack of seed catalogs and a cup of tea.

I am still trying to learn what grows best in our zone, and I still don't know the last frost date in our area so I don't know when to begin planting indoors. There's so much to find out for the novice gardener! This doesn't stop me from imagining my way through garden catalogs, though. Reading them is so deliciously exciting and full of promise. Dreaming lacks all the pests, weeds, and heartache of an actual garden. It makes me want to write for these seed companies, with the obvious drawback that I don't really know beans about gardening. Regardless, look what I've found that seems interesting so far, and click the links to see pictures:

Amish Paste Tomato : Lycopersicon lycoprtsicum, Heirloom indeterminate, 5-7 oz. fruits, Tender annual. This large, meaty heirloom was discovered in Wisconsin although it hails from the Pennsylvania Amish. It has a superior taste, brilliant with a nice balance of sweet and acid. Excellent fresh or in sauces.
Calabrese Broccoli: Brassica oleracea, Heirloom, 18-28 in. 3-6 in. Hardy Annual. Brought to the US by Italian immigrants at the turn of the century, this is a great broccoli for the home garden. Dark green plant with a blue-green head. Plant remains productive after harvest of the head, continuing to produce many side shoots until frost. For fresh use and freezing.
Cal Wonder Sweet Bell Pepper: Capiscum annuum, Heirloom, 18-24" Tender Annual. The archetypical bell pepper-tender, sweet and juicy without a trace of pungency. Dark green 3-4 in. peppers ripen to bright crimson. Large, blocky, lobed fruit with thick walls on vigorous upright plants.
Cannellini Soup Half-Runner Bean: Phaseolus vulgaris, Rare - Heirloom, 3-4 ft. Tender Annual. This classic Italian bean is perfect for minestrone and was first grown in this country in the 1820s. Large, white, kidney-shaped beans have a nutty flavor and make delicious italian-style baked beans. A productive semi-runner plant that grows well even in cool weather.
Dinosaur (Lacinato Blue) Kale: Brassica oleracea, Heirloom, 2-3 ft. Hardy Biennial. Fondly known as "Dino Kale," the leaves of this extremely winter-hardy variety become sweeter after a hard frost. Delicious and tender when stir-fried or steamed.
Lemon Cucumber: Cucumis sativus, Heirloom, 3-4 in. Tender Annual. Dating back to the 1890s, these oval to round yellow cukes are juicy and sweet. Thin, tender skins and succulent white flesh make them a joy to eat whole-like an apple-right from the garden. Great for slicing or pickling.
Red Oak Leaf Lettuce: Lactuca sativa, Heirloom, 12-16 in. Hardy Annual. Stunning oak-shaped leaves mature to a deep burgundy. Somewhat heat resistant but exceptionally vigorous in cooler weather.
San Marzano Paste Tomato: Lycopersicon esculentum, Heirloom, 3" Fruits, Tender Annual. A classic Italian heirloom paste tomato with a slightly hourglass shape. Later season than other paste types, providing an extended harvest for saucing until the first hard frost. Flavorful cooking tomato. Needs trellising.
Small Sugar Pumpkin: Cucurbita pepo, Heirloom, 5-8 lbs. This heirloom from the 1800s is a classic for its high-quality stringless, sweet flesh which makes scrumptious pies. Lightly ribbed, orange fruits are perfect for smaller gardens and make great little jack-o-lanterns. Easy to grow.
St. Valery Carrot: Daucus carota var. sativus, Heirloom, 8-10 in. Hardy Biennial. French heirloom with sweet, tender flesh. This carrot to has a high amount of free arginine, a protein building amino acid.
Tendergreen Bush Bean: Phaseolus vulgaris, Heirloom, 16-20 in., 5-6 in. pods, Tender Annual. A green, round-podded, stringless and tasty bush bean with slight flecks of purple. A very heavy yielder over a short period, even during hot weather. A great mainstay for the home garden.
Tom Thumb Lettuce: Lactuca sativa, Heirloom, 3-5 in. Hardy Annual. Introduced by at least 1853, this is a tiny little butterhead perfect for small gardens or those who like the elegance of exquisitely formed small plants. About the size of an apple, it is ideal for serving whole as an individual salad.
Viroflay Spinach: Spinacea oleracea, Heirloom, 2 ft. Hardy Annual. In 1885, Vimorin called this variety "Epinard Monstreux de Viroflay"---The Monster spinach of Veroflay! Extremely vigorous plants bear 10 inch leaves.
Yellow Pear Cherry Tomato: Lycopersicon esculentum, Heirloom, 1 oz. Tender Annual. From the late 1800s with very low acid and a mild, sweet flavor. Produces clusters of 1-2 inch fruits all summer long. Excellent for salads, pickling and preserving. Resistant to alternaria stem canker disease.

The above list is still a work in progress. I don't know if they're the right ones. And it still doesn't include basil or peas (oh, fresh peas...). Someday I'd like to have strawberries, and maybe even grapes as well. But for now, I'd best stick with a stack of library books and a cup of tea.

Green thumb, green thumb, quite contrary-- will your garden grow?

2007-12-30T07:48:00.000-08:00

I have never really had a garden before. I get Spring Fever like everyone else, and when my nostrils are assaulted by the earthy smells of the garden section in the hardware store or supercenter, I usually succumb and buy a handful of things I don't know beans about and let them naturally peter out in my backyard due to lack of knowhow and personal stamina. Last year after looking at Sunflower Houses with our DDs, we planted sunflowers three distinct times only to have them fail successively due to cutworms, then pesky squirrels.

However, after having read Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, I am inspired to try again. The biggest thing a year of volunteering at Salomon Farm last year gave me was an idea of how much I don't know; nonetheless, I think we're going to try raised beds this time a la All New Square Foot Gardening by Mel Bartholomew. If we can come up with the funds for the lumber, the compost, vermiculite, and the peat (and the heirloom seeds!) and we're very, very lucky, we may still come out roughly even-- health benefits aside.

Aside: The book recommends going to construction sites and asking for unneeded, untreated 2 x 6's. Anybody know where those might be found locally? Not me! Also, I need to set up compost in my backyard. This setup requires mixed mature compost. I could use advice in this area as well. Anybody with tips might consider posting!

Regardless of the outcome, we've been learning a lot at home about reading, math, and science through our renewed interest in gardening-- not to mention the bold realizations about where food actually comes from! Even if I end up eating crow (figuratively!), I'll count this as a win.

Bacon, bacon, bacon, bacon!

2007-12-28T11:40:00.000-08:00

I know I already mentioned that we purchased a half a pig from Seven Sons Meat Company, but as of yet we haven't tried all our cuts of meat. We gave half our bacon to our neighbor, since we don't eat bacon much and they enjoy it from time to time.

But we got some out today to enjoy over potato soup, and ohhhhhhhhhh. I don't think we can ever go back to grocery store bacon. This, I agree, was one happy pig.

Baking bread and living locally

2007-12-27T10:01:00.000-08:00

I was poking around on Mother Earth News looking for ideas when I found an article from the latest issue about easy, no-knead crusty bread. It looked yummy enough (and simple enough!) that I think I'm actually going to try it once I get a handful of cornmeal into the house.

Once I noticed that the article was written by a sustainable agriculture consultant and passionate organic gardener, Googled him. Interestingly enough, Roger Doiron is s a free-lance writer and public speaker specializing in sustainable cuisine. He's been featured in Chicago Tribune, Christian Science Monitor, Organic Gardening magazine, Mother Earth News, and Saveur. He also is the founder and director of Kitchen Gardeners International, or KGI which, to quote the site, is "a Maine-based nonprofit network of over 4000 individuals from 80 countries who are taking a (dirty) hands-on approach to “relocalizing” the food supply." Not only is the thought inspiring, the site is pretty nifty, too. I love the idea of gPods, and now feel like reading Robert D. Putnam's Bowling Alone because of the reference.

Meat, wonderful meat!

2007-12-19T16:51:00.000-08:00

Have we taken the time to praise Seven Sons on this blog? I don't sleep enough to remember, so if this is a repeat, my apologies.
Seven Sons is located in Roanoke, they have chicken, pork, beef and more that I don't even know about. Grass-fed, hormone free.
We are the proud owners of half of a pig from Seven Sons. We visited the farm store and saw the pig that would become our dinner. The pigs were running free in the mud and they did look like they were living good pig lives. Our eldest says as she is scarfing down ham: "This was a happy pig!"
If you aren't interested in such a large investment, you can find roasts & chickens either at the farm store or at the Three Rivers Co-Op. The Co-op also has packs of hamburger patties. You get 1 lb or 3 patties for about $5. These are GOOD burgers. Highly recommended for local carnivores.

Local dough

2007-12-19T16:44:00.000-08:00

While it does not appear to be organic, if you'd enjoy a local loaf of Mill Co. bread at considerable savings, consider picking some up at the thrift stores on Pearl Street or Hillegas Road as early as Tuesday in any given week. They're 1.99 per item (bag of granola, 4 pk of muffins, bag of rolls, or loaf of bread), or 2/$3.00.

The thrift store tells me they get overbakes, not old bread, and due to the vast cost reduction they do go fast. I must really care about you to tell you my bread secrets-- some people wait a half hour for the bread store to open if they're really hankering for sourdough!

Milk info...

2007-12-19T13:18:00.000-08:00

On N. Anthony Blvd. at the Health Food Shoppe milk, Organic Valley milk, is just $4.99--all the time! That's dirt cheap. I was told that the owner sells it at no mark-up because, "milk is something everyone needs." Wow. How's that for a do-gooder? Great milk at a great price. I say great milk because they are truly organic, whereas most other milks, Horizon incl. are owned and operated by huge conglomerate monsters (Dean, the same non-organic milk company owns and distributes much of what else is out there) that only do organic on the side. Glad to pass on a tip to a local business with a heart. Happy shopping.
Paul

Local Farm, Southwest

2007-12-19T11:58:00.001-08:00

From our friend Heidi @ the Library:
"Last year our newspaper ran an interesting article about the Schlup and DeGrandchamp family in Fort Wayne (FROM THE FIELD: Family farm in suburbia: Aboite family stays on the soil, Jenni Glenn, The Journal Gazette, Published: October 1, 2006). The family raises produce, pumpkins, and Christmas trees. The article noted that the Schlup family has been farming in the area for many years: "The Lutheran Hospital campus now covers part of the old farm where his family grew produce for local markets as early as 1890."
Schlup’s Farm Market is open during the summer on Dicke Road in southwest Fort Wayne. Their sign on Aboite Center Road leads the way. They sell their wonderful produce as well as produce from other local farmers. The article noted that the Schlup family and their suppliers do not use pesticides. They have a wide selection of items including corn, tomatoes, peppers, melons, cucumbers, beans, onions, eggplants, and terrific strawberries! The family also runs a booth at the Southside Farmer’s Market on Saturdays.
DeGrandchamp’s pumpkin patch is open on Aboite Center Road in the fall. They have a large selection of different sizes as well as a few white pumpkins and other types of decorative squash. It’s always fun to go there and pick out pumpkins with the kids. I really appreciate the fact that this family works so hard to bring us such high quality produce!"

Eggs: A Success Story

2007-12-19T10:50:00.000-08:00

Earth Laughing Farm has eggs for $2.50/dozen!
They don't have many and if I understood the email correctly, there may be a waiting list. The hens will start laying more as the days get longer (which happens this Sunday). If you are interested, call the farm to make arrangements.

future of farming

2007-12-18T08:20:00.001-08:00

from my friend Jon at TEC, a short video: http://current.com/items/77525681_future_farming_now

Earth Laughing Farm

2007-12-18T07:35:00.000-08:00

I found Earth Laughing Farm on localharvest.org and have been emailing back and forth for information. Right now they have raw wool available, which sounds like a lot of fun for projects(when the kids are old enough to help).

They also have goose for $4lb and the birds are between 9 - 11 lbs. They are frozen.

In May they will have chickens for $2lb sized 4 - 5 lbs.

Email and ask to get on their mailing list.

CSAs in Northeast Indiana

2007-12-17T07:12:00.000-08:00

Hi Local Eaters! I'm looking to join a CSA next year, and have found one in our community that has drop off points north, central, and southwest of Fort Wayne. It is Country Garden and Farm Market, located in Roanoke, with drop off at the 3 Rivers CoOp and Salomon Farm on Dupont Road. Has anyone else signed up with this CSA? More info. at http://www.localharvest.org/csadrops.jsp?id=5164

There is another, the JL Hawkins Family Farm, I'd love to join but is such a drive from my home that I'd be using a lot of fossil fuels for pickup. If you live near North Manchester, check out http://www.localharvest.org/csadrops.jsp?id=5387 If you will be joining and would share pickup duties with me, I'd be interested!

Farm Store and CSA

2007-12-16T11:47:00.000-08:00

Country Garden and Farm Market (certified organic AND local) has a farm stand in Roanoke, they bring produce to the Salomon Farmer's Market in the summer and they have year round CSA. Check them out here.

Slow and steady wins the race

2007-12-16T05:58:00.000-08:00

"Slow food" is interesting as a buzzword, but it's not bad as a concept, either. I was checking out the Slow Food website, and what it takes to start a Slow Food Convivium. It's not hard to get behind enjoying your food as a process, and not just a means to an end, as long as there's time reserved to get there and ample space and resources to get there. I'm not sure we have $60 to pony up for the convivium, but I wish we did, because I think it would be good for our community to have one here.

Now, I don't like to cook in a messy kitchen, so I feel compelled to clean it all up before I get started, and it's no fun to cook when there's nothing but ramen in the cupboard. So as much as I'm into the idea of slow food, I think I'm actually about two steps behind that right now. Just like sometimes in Weight Watchers, when I realized I wasn't really ready to lose weight yet, I may be in the pre-slow food segment. I still have a lot of processed food baggage in my life, and I need to consider my current time management and workflow issues to be able to really enjoy the joys that slow food has to offer. In addition, I still think there's a place for faster food, even if that means yet another spaghetti night. But we're going there. Oh yes. We're in. Slow food is healthier and cheaper, and much more fun. For our family, slow is the way to go.

The 'local' debate continues

2007-12-13T20:13:00.000-08:00

Author Tom Philpott at grist.org has debunked the "eating locally is worse for the environment than using the supermarket" again and again. And yes, he's done it again.

Eggs: The Continuing Saga

2007-12-13T16:15:00.001-08:00

This evening I checked out the PBS 39 video Eggs: A Video Field Trip. This fascinating 15 minute video shows the egg's journey from hen to plate. It was filmed at an egg "factory" in North Manchester. If you would like to see where Kroger eggs come from, please watch this video. The video was underwritten by the egg company, so of course their intention was not to scare away customers, but it is hard to look at the mass-production and not be alarmed.

We thought that we had found a solution to the egg issue with Eggland's Best, but they aren't local, they are big business and we don't exactly trust them. So we wandered over to the Co-op, but their local farm hasn't been selling them eggs. So we bought the brand on the shelf, who wouldn't trust the Co-op, surely Phil's Fresh Eggs would be the answer! Well, not so much. They are shipped in from Illinois, not exactly local. The company has a seal on the carton & website: "Free Farmed" so we decided to find out what exactly "free farmed" means. That took us to the American Humane Association website where we discoverd that "free farmed" is an outdated term. It has been replaced by "American Humane Certified" which means "cage free" and a few other things, understand that doesn't necessary mean "free to roam in the sunshine", but outside of cages at least. Regardless, we checked the listing of "American Humane Certified" producers of which Phil's Fresh Eggs is not one. So where does that leave us? Eggless.

Seven Sons, the farm where we buy our meat, has eggs, but they are in Roanoke and that is too far to go for eggs.

All of that to ask: where do you get your eggs? We would love to have a local farm to go to.

Reading myself green?

2007-12-12T12:37:00.000-08:00

I have now saved four foil lids from 32 oz. containers of Stonyfield Farm yogurt, and can send in for a free subscription to Organic Gardening. If you'd like to get on the informal routing list for this periodical, please leave a comment below or just let me know. The last person with it can pass it on or recycle it.

Bigger, better Barr Street Market

2007-12-10T21:34:00.000-08:00

Good news! KK has a contact to Barr Street Market, and has sent the book group a contact via email if we wish to send thoughts for a more local, comprehensive market there. Check your inbox for the contact info, book group folks. Gather your thoughts.

Book Club

2007-12-07T23:30:00.000-08:00

Many of us met at CW's new digs for some organic eats and thought-provoking discussion regarding Barbara Kingsolver's Animal, Vegetable, Miracle. We're not the Jane Austen Book Club, but we did find that many philosophies from this book did take root for a number of us in various ways. We decided that it was probably worthwhile to try to find more local sources of food in our area. To that end, I thought a blog might be an interesting way to document our progress. It remains to be seen whether it will be useful or not.