Do you know your food?
By makingpots
@makingpots (11915)
United States
May 16, 2007 11:03pm CST
Do you make the effort to shop at farmers markets in your area. Or perhaps you have found the stores in your area that buy only from local farmers.
If you make these efforts you will soon learn what foods are in season in your area and how to prepare them.
As you savor the vivid flavors of juicy ripe fruits and the hearty crunch of unprocessed vegetables, you can also take pleasure in the fact that, by eating close to the earth, you are supporting farmers in your region, connecting with your local ecosystem, discouraging those who would waste precious fossil fuels by carting produce cross-country, and helping to preserve healthy culinary traditions that have existed for centuries.
How well do you know YOUR foods?
3 people like this
6 responses
@mummymo (23706)
•
17 May 07
You know what my friend I would love to try this but the farmers market in our town is miles outside of town and because I cannot drive at the moment and because of my partners shifts I cannot get there! Once I am fully fit and back driving I am going to try this way of shopping for local produce!
1 person likes this
@makingpots (11915)
• United States
17 May 07
Well, we do what we can, right?
How are you healing and feeling these day? Better, I hope.
1 person likes this
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
17 May 07
I do love shopping at the farmers markets in the summer time - afraid in Michigan during winter months there is nothing growing. You will also often see road side sellers - trailers, wagons, or trucks, loaded with the produce from local farms.
LOL years back when my oldest was young he would go out in the woods behind our house and pick rasberries. He usually did this in the morning when the mosquitoes wheren't bad. He would then go play until afternoon when people were coming home from work - he would stand at the opening to the subdivision we lived in and sell the berries to our neighbors :) He had a nice little business during the berry season.
1 person likes this
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
17 May 07
Yes my oldest particularly has always been the 'saleman' in the family and I've always encouraged it.
No, Michigan has 'nothing' available in the winter months - the ground freezes and often under several feet of snow, everything has to be shipped in from down south :)
I actually lived in Texas for 10 years and my two middle children are 'Texans'. #2 son was born in Midland (there 5 years) came back to Michigan for 3 years then moved to Magnolia (north of Houston) and my daughter was born there.
@makingpots (11915)
• United States
17 May 07
I love industrious kids. I go way out of my way to support kids that make that kind of effort. There is so much for them to learn from it.
So, you can't even find good winter veggies in Michigan? Root veggies, etc. I enjoyed shopping farmers markets in the summer when I lived up north. It was usually the farmers families that worked them and I loved talking to them. Here in Texas where I live, often the markets are worked by staff who's first language is not English. They are not as attached to the produce.... not as fun for me, but I still shop them. Lucky for me we have several great stores where I live who purchase locally and that is where I buy most of my stuff.
1 person likes this
@makingpots (11915)
• United States
17 May 07
That is a great way to go. I hope you find one and enjoy participating.
@KrisNY (7590)
• United States
17 May 07
I do shop at farm markets when they are in season- I love to do this- Fresh fruits and veggies. YUM—we also grow a lot of our own vegetables. There is nothing better than walking to the garden and picking a cucumber and tomato! Got to love it- I buy fresh corn on the cob all the time in season from the farm up the road- I also get eggs from there often. As far as meat- I buy this from the grocery store- I know I could purchase a half cow from the local farmer- but I don’t want that much all at once. But as far as fruits and vegetables- Yes I shop local! I love helping out the local farmers – and I love the freshness!
@makingpots (11915)
• United States
24 May 07
I wish I could grow a garden where I live. We always had them when I was a child. Our biggest and best was when we lived in upstate NY. I'll bet your garden is great.
@yanjiaren (9031)
•
18 May 07
I love to go organic and buying local where I can. Here in Northanptonshire, it is famous for Farmer's Markets and we get all kinds of things with my parents, like home made jams and chutneys as well as organich eggs, meat, paultry and vegetables. Buying fruit and vegetables in season is both healthier and works out cheaper too. eople often don't realise this. I love to cook so am always on the look out for the freshest and loveliest ingredients. I prefer to eat less but healthier than stuff myself with loads of unhealthy foods. I do tuchk into the odd bit of junk though just to give my old liver a good workout lol.
1 person likes this
@Zorrogirl (1502)
• South Africa
17 May 07
As a diabetic, i need to eat healthy. we have just 1 fruit and veg store in our town, and the selection is minimal. but i tend to select foods that can be eaten raw. we are a farming community but as to date, there is no farmers market here. i would be glad to see that happen.
1 person likes this
@makingpots (11915)
• United States
17 May 07
If you are a farming community, that probably means your stores carry locally grown items. If they don't they should be protested and forced to do so (haha, I am not much of a protestor myself)
