My problem, lately (hey, you know me, I has problems...), is that when I read a book, I become a convert to its perspective (exhibit 1: Born to Run; perspective: we were made to run, probably barefoot).
Now I am reading The Omnivore's Dilemma and I haven't cried while reading a book since Plainsong which, my friends, was years ago. But reading the description of steer 534's pathetic life at a corporate factory feedlot nearly brought me to tears. My first act: emailing my local beef connection and ordering many pounds of local, grass-fed beef to fill my freezer.
Today I went to the Farmer's Market and purchased more local veggies and fruit. My favorite: the Sheriff's Horticulture Program, with food grown by prisoners. Last year, I got some great peppers there.
My sister and I bought local pastries (Crumb Brothers), local breakfast burritos (Rico's), some beautiful golden beets, a delicious melon, and lots of other stuff. We could barely carry it all.
I am afraid I will become insufferable when discussing food, at least for the foreseeable future. Please forgive me in advance.
5 comments:
Now that you're on a roll, go and see "Food, Inc." Then post about it and let me know how it was, please, because I don't know if I can bear to watch.
Elisa, I don't think I can bear to watch Food, Inc., either. Reading Pollan has been an education for sure. I like the local idea so much, because everyone can do it to some extent, and every little bit helps create more space for a more diversified, and thriving, food economy. I try to do a good job of this, ever since reading some of the Pollan pieces (and other stuff) years ago.
We were at the market late today for a variety of reasons. I have never seen so many people, and even though some of my favorite vendors aren't around (yet?), it seems to me that the whole enterprise is full of energy and diversity. It's one of the truly hopeful signs, I think, that everything in the world doesn't just get worse and worse.
We saw Food Inc about three weeks ago--since then we haven't eaten any beef and only one foray into chicken. I knew the arguments as I've read some Pollan and Schlosser but seeing it and hearing it really had an impact. We are semi-vegetarians for the time being. It's been easier than I thought--we feel kind of liberated from the meat-as-centerpiece meal.
I am going to try to find some local beef out here. There has to be some. I shall visit the farmer's marker more regularly. AZ produce over the summer does have something to be desired but I shall try...at least I can get the stuff to make salsa.
since i've been baking at the farmer's market, I feel like I've gotten a tiny bit of insight into the farmer's life, the amazing efforts that local growers make to provide food for the community. and it makes me terribly sad when people don't come to the market because it's raining or whatever. so go to the market! and lynn, don't worry about becoming insufferable. some things are worth annoying for! and for my own bit of insufferability, I'd argue that in harvest months, you should only eat fruits and veg from local growers!
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