What's all the fuss about local food?

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Permalink Reply by Bernard Munos on January 30, 2009 at 1:20am

I support locally grown food, and like to buy it when I get a chance. It often provides unique items that are hard to find elsewhere, or are much better when picked at peak maturity. Raspberries, damson plums, apricots, special varieties of apples or tomatoes come to mind. They are also part of the area's culinary tradition, something that I enjoy perpetuating. At the same time, I am not religious about it. I do not regard locally grown food as de facto better. If a Michigan or California farmer offers gorgeous fruit while the local produce is damaged by insects or fungi, I'll buy the stuff from out-of-state. I do not believe that shipping across the country (or the world) is environmentally objectionable. The University of California at Davis (one of the institutions that tried to educate me) has run interesting studies showing that a local farmer driving 50 miles in a smoke-belching pick-up truck to deliver a few crates of stuff to town generates far more nasty pollution than a semi or a train that moves 20 or 200 tons at a time. I also think that farmers who toil to produce great stuff must be encouraged whether they are from Peru, Indiana, or South America.

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Permalink Reply by Lori Long on January 30, 2009 at 8:57am

Ah, the big deal about local food is twofold. And its a big deal. After spending the last year detoxing to treat adrenal fatigue and gardening my arse off, I can tell you, eating locally has made a huge change in my world. So big a change, that I felt the topic of feeding our nation should have been higher on the docket in the last presidential election because it impacts so many of the issues challenging our great consuming nation.

First, by buying locally, you're supporting the local economy.
And in today's economic climate, keeping your tax dollars close to home, means taking care of your neighbors.

Secondly, eating locally (check out the 100 mile diet) provides food sources that last longer and are healthier--at the molecular level. Check out the Weston Price Foundation and you'll quickly realize the difference between grain fed beef and grass fed beef when it comes to caluclating your cholesterol. Have you ever seen the yolks of an egg from a chicken you can touch compared to the eggs from the grocery? Its kind of scary--and frankly makes me wonder where the grocery store eggs come from? did you know that there was no heart disease before the invention of margarine? Eating locally means getting back to the food our bodies were meant to consume...so that they can burn it completely for fuel, instead of harboring it and allowing it to continually cause damage as free radicals because our bodies can't figure out how to burn it--which not only leads to disease, but mutation at the cellular level. Not to mention, gardening is a great form of exercise ..whether practiced in solace or socially. And if you can't grow it yourself, at least look into aligning yourself with a great CSA so you can get it. Fresh/dried herbs at the grocery in Broad Ripple. Lettuce and greens from the hothouse in Danville. And eggs, raw milk, the best cottage cheese in the world from Trader's Point Creamery... Check out www.goinglocal-info.com for more information on local food sources. :)

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Permalink Reply by Cissi Sherlock on February 1, 2009 at 8:37am

I have a questions?

Are there documented studies that associate heart disease with the advent of margarine?

I am butter eater and have been for the last 23 years. Surprisingly, it was a craving when I was pregnant with my 22 year old. I have had to go bad to, or switch between margarine and butter lately, cue to the economy. We carried both in our household, now it's just more economical to carry one product.

My mother has health problems and has eaten margarine for decades. I, on the other hand, have even been ostracized by some when eating out for eating butter.

If you can, point me in the direction of something that helps me tell people that butter is best.

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Permalink Reply by Lori Long on February 1, 2009 at 8:51am

Check out: http://www.drlwilson.com/Articles/butter.htm and http://wholehealthsource.blogspot.com/2008/12/butter-margarine-and-... (this is the best source).

:)

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Permalink Reply by Cissi Sherlock on February 1, 2009 at 11:55am

Siting both blogs that you directed me to, thanks Lori!

"But there are nevertheless mechanisms that support a protective role for butter, and a detrimental one for margarine. Butter from pastured cows is one of the richest known sources of vitamin K2. Vitamin K2 plays a central role in protecting against arterial calcification, which is an integral part of arterial plaque and the best single predictor of cardiovascular death risk. In the early 20th century, butter was typically from pastured cows."

"Butter, by contrast, is a natural food and one of the best sources of important fat-soluble vitamins. You will pay more for butter, but nutritionally and for its purity, it is well worth it."

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Permalink Reply by Grant Z Price on January 30, 2009 at 10:09am

I think the next step is 'homegrown' produce really. I think Local is great and organic is preferred; but how many of us as kids remember picking greenbeans out of the garden or zucchini? Nothing beats off the vine and from your own yard!? I would be interested in anyone who has tips for the first time 'victory garden' as now is a GREAT time to get started for 2009! Let's all commit to growing at least one edible in our home or yard this year! Maybe we can offset a bit of the fossil fuels used for transportation of 'fresh produce' or the run off and other ill effects of massive farming complexes!

Thanks,
Grant

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Permalink Reply by Michael J Dukehart, II on January 30, 2009 at 10:23am

I have tried to find plans for a victory garden online and have come up with very little usefull. At the new house this syummer we are going to ditch our old gardening method and try square foot gardening. We are also educating our self on cold weather crops so the garden will be producing more longer.

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Permalink Reply by Scott Emmett on January 30, 2009 at 3:23pm

We are doing the square foot gardening method as well. As a matter of fact, we are on a plan to grow as much of our own food as possible AND produce / store our own seeds so I don't have to buy that much year to year. The City of Greenwood has a community garden that we will be able to rent a 20x20 plot to help.

I saw a Victory Garden plan boo from WWI somewhere. Let me see if I can find it. I'll get back to you if I do. Good luck in your garden!!

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Permalink Reply by Jan Dye on January 30, 2009 at 10:29am

spend money in your community, helps your neighbor and in return it helps you!

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Permalink Reply by Michael J Dukehart, II on January 30, 2009 at 10:36am

Yep. Go to the farmers markets and if you are going to plant your own, go to the local stores like Do-It Best. They have healthier plants than Lowes anyways.

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Permalink Reply by Kenan Farrell on January 30, 2009 at 11:01am

I ate almost exclusively organic and locally grown while in San Francisco but don't really know what my options are in Indianapolis. I'd love to find out and then help spread that news. I'll admit, I do it primarily for health reasons. I really try to keep chemicals and plastics out of my diet. In particular, the news about bisphenol-A showing up in people's bodies in higher and higher amounts is troubling.

Buying local means you can avoid having your food wrapped in plastic.

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Permalink Reply by Grant Z Price on January 30, 2009 at 11:09am

Kenan! Great to hear that you want to help spread the word. Well, in Indy there are several choices to get local fresh produce; here are some of my favorites:

- 12 month farmers market across from Mama Corollas on E 54th and the Monon, near Carvell Ave.
- Traders Point Creamery in Zionsville
- In the summer the downtown Farmers market at Market Square
- Trader Joes/ Whole Foods, as well as the "Fresh Market" does attempt to carry some local produce in season

Here's a good thread from our Smaller Food Indiana discussion group:

http://www.smallerindiana.com/group/smallerfoodindiana/forum/topics...

Thanks,
Grant

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