"Locavores" Unite! And Read Peacock's Memories of Peas
July 24, 2008Locavores and slow food proponents will really get a kick out of Watershed chef Scott Peacock’s write up about growing up with field peas in his native Alabama in this morning’s AJC.
Thanks to books like Pollen’s Omnivore’s Dilemma and Kingsolver’s Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, along with recent extensive coverage by the NY Times, the local/slow food movement has really taken off in the past year or so. It goes a step further than just simply eating “organic”, which some strict locavores will tell you has been co-oped by the “industrial food chain” (another basic principal of the movement), and encourages people to buy locally (to reduce the food’s carbon footprint and support the local economy) and eat “real food”…(as opposed to anything processed…80% of which is made mainly of corn and soybeans).
Pollen’s follow up to The Omnivore’s Dilemma, In Defense of Food, sums up the diet of a locavore this way “Eat Food. Not Too Much. Mostly Plants.”
If it sounds like I’ve signed on to this latest “fad”, I have. It ain’t an easy way to eat, especially for those of us stretched to find the time to dedicate to finding and cooking food, but its the first book I’ve read about “food” in a long time that made any sense and didn’t come off like it had an ulterior motive.
Essentially, it boils down to…eat real food, not processed. That means eating a little meat that eats grass preferably (not force-fed corn), and lots of plants (fruits/veggies), preferably organic and local. Not easy…but it tastes so much better…and is so much healthier.
Locally, the Decatur Organic Farmer’s Market is a great resource to grab these products. Also the DeKalb Farmer’s Market has grass-fed beef and sells a lot of organic produce (and is very good about telling you where it came from).
But still, I gotta tell you, even for a Decatur resident with two great resources, it ain’t all that easy. Any locavores out there with any additional tips?
We’re not pure locavore, but we do use a CSA as our primary source of fruits and vegetables and highly recommend it. For those who don’t know, a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) is basically an opportunity to become a “shareholder” in a farm. You pay part up front, the farmer plants on your behalf, and a few weeks later you start getting a big box of produce every week. You can join and leave as you choose.
We use Taylorganic, a great local farm in Ellenwood, run by Neil Taylor. Runs about 30 bucks a week for a family of 3. They also have eggs and some other dairy that you can order on an as-needed basis. Pick-up is even more convenient than the grocery store — right behind the East Lake Marta station on the north side of the tracks.
As I understand it, they’ve got room right now for a number of new members. Visit their blog at http://taylorganic.blogspot.com to learn more or contact the farm directly at taylorganic@bellsouth.net.
And for the record, I’m not a shill for the farm. Just an enthusiastic subscriber!
No tips for sources, just methods: 1.) Make 1 day a week “cooking” day. – in our house, it’s Sunday. We prepare (not always cook, mind you) meals for at least 3 days in advance. 2.) Choose items that make excellent leftovers for the rest of the week!
In our house, #1 means that dinner can take as little as 10-20 mins to prepare on a busy weekday. It’s actually cheaper AND faster to eat at home! Also, since you’ve done the hard part on Sunday, clean-up is fast. #2 means even when you’re too tired or busy to cook, you can have delicious and tasty meals. Viva leftover night!
Scott,
Thanks again for the tip. We get our first share tomorrow!
Incidentally, another great way to support local agriculture is by joining Moore Farms & Friends, which delivers Thursday afternoons to The Cook’s Warehouse on W Ponce. It’s a great value, and you do not have to receive shipments every week. You simply place your order online before the end of the workday on Monday, and it’s delivered the same week.
For example, here’s what you’d get this week for $20:
Heirloom Tomatoes (1.5 pounds)
Blueberries (1 pint)
Florida Avocado (1)
Cucumbers (1 pound)
Apples 1 pound (2)
Onion (1)
Or for $30, you would get all of the above plus:
Heirloom Tomatoes (another 1.5 pounds)
Florida Avocado (1)
Sweet Peppers (3)
If these combinations aren’t perfect, you can also pay a $4 fee to customize what you’d like to have in the box. There are other packages available, including ones with hormone-free meat and/or eggs, and a “brunch” option that includes Batdorf & Bronson coffee and mini-muffins.
Will & Laurie Moore, themselves farmers in Alabama, are truly wonderful folks who have partnered with other like-minded producers to create this unique program that makes it easy to eat locally, sustainably-produced food. They have received recognition recently in Daily Candy Atlanta as well as this month’s Southern Living magazine. For more information and to join, check out their website at http://www.moorefarmsandfriends.com/