Yoo Hoo! The Farm Markets are beginning this week. (Although I can’t imagine what local produce, besides lettuces and spinach, could be ripe this soon, and with this much rain.) The opportunity to buy local foods—real foods that have not passed through the industrial food chain—brings a smile to my heart.
Have you read either of Michael Pollan’s books—The Omnivore’s Dilemma, and In Defense of Food: An Eater’s Manifesto. They should be required reading for everyone. Mr. Pollan points out that, “instead of food, we’re consuming “edible foodlike substances” — no longer the products of nature but of food science.” We’ve forgotten what real food tastes like. Pollan cautions to: Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants
Now, many of you may feel that a column devoted to saving should tout the less expensive food available from the mega food chains. While it is true that some fruits and vegetables purchased at the local supermarket might be cheaper, the exchange in flavor is hardly worth the few pennies saved—even to a tightwad like myself, and the health benefits from eating plenty of FRESH fruits and vegetables, make the slight additional cost well worthwhile.
yup… when you figure the health costs , and the taste costs, vs the financial costs. this really is a cost conscious decision
Comment by don — June 22nd, 2009 @ 4:51 pm
Hi Marie,
I would like to note that M&M farms is also a good place for farm fresh fruits and veggies, not all are locally grown but they are great tasting. I spent 30 minutes last weekend picking out fruits and vegetables, enough to fill three bags and was pleasantly surprised when the young lady asked for ten dollars. It’s not as much fun as going to one of the open air farmers markets, however if you need to work and are unable to shop at the local farmers market, the visit to M&M will be well worth the trip.
No, I do not have any financial investment in M&M.
Comment by Kris Lorch — July 21st, 2009 @ 9:12 am