Locavores 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?

Since last we discussed the evils of plastic (or paper) grocery bags, I’ve seen a growing number of people toting their own bags to the grocery store.

Maybe its due to the proliferation of reusable bags around the Publix check out or Whole Foods complete eradication of the plastic bag, or maybe its just that people in the U.S. don’t want to be shown up by China. But whatever it is, reusable bags are seeing an upsurge like never before.

But what about the DeKalb Farmer’s Market? That Georgia-famous warehouse of chaos where one can purchase an endless variety of quality fruits/veggies/meats/spices/alcohol at a discount price (as long as you’re willing to give and take a few elbows to the face)?

We’ll, according to Deryck, its a little behind the times…

…When I entered with bags in the cart, I was told that it would be necessary to check them at the information counter. They provided a plastic numbered card. That’s easy. But wait!, you cannot retrieve your bag, an employee must do this for you when you checkout. The cashier must shout out “bag check” to get the person who eventually arrives and then gets your bag.

Meanwhile you have a lot of angry people behind you wondering why the cashier cannot complete your transaction. This slows down the process, aggravates you, the cashier and those waiting in line. They’re all usually nice folks I might add. This procedure is extremely inefficient and creates a very unpleasant shopping experience for all parties including the staff. It gives one the impression that conservation is just too damn difficult to be worthwhile. Why not place the bag retrieving person(s) at the exit doors to check the receipts of those leaving with their own bags?

On the flip side…My wife says that she has taken her bags into the store with her and not been stopped. But maybe she just got lucky.

Regardless, Deryck is right. The current setup obviously dissuades the use of reusable bags. It’s much worse than being glared at by angry baggers (barely any of that at Publix anymore BTW). Angering other shoppers is, in many ways, an even a bigger deterrent.

For an organization with such a large recycle center on site, DFM should make reusable bags easy to use. This might require a change to the way things have always been done in the past, either with a Costco-style receipt checker or designated types of bags that can be taken into the store…just thinking out loud here.

Ultimately, it goes without saying that if reusable bags continue to increase in popularity, the Farmer’s Market is going to need to alter its current “check your bags at the door” policy in order to retain a significant contingent of customers that don’t want to take home 3 dozen plastic bags.

I’m beginning to feel a bit like a development junkie. Whenever there’s a little tidbit of information that might indicate a new shop, business, restaurant or trend in this city, I jump on it like a dog in heat (you’re welcome for the lovely visual).

So, here’s my latest fix.

GoDeKalb reports that DeKalb County is seeking a Livable Centers Grant for the part of Ponce that runs between the Avondale MARTA Station and Clarkston. Ironically, just today as my wife and I drove down to the Paddywax Factory Store and Kudzu, I commented on how that area was in the midst of a turn around. Five years ago, Kudzu and Pin Ups strip club were the only real landmarks between Avondale MARTA and the universally awesome DeKalb Farmer’s Market. Today, there’s the Progressive Auto Center (which relocated Kudzu down the street), a new Enterprise Rental Car Lot, Wag-A-Lot, Paddywax, and the under-construction Pangaea.

What does this LCI grant request mean? It means that DeKalb County recognizes the economic potential of this once struggling corridor and is thinking about a hard push for mixed use development along the strip. Regardless of what the study ultimately says, we all have to begin getting use to the idea of a revitalized East Ponce. The Farmer’s Market and Decatur are just too darn popular throughout the region to not expect new shops pop up in all directions.

Aside from Pin Ups patrons, many residents from Stone Mountain to Decatur will see this as a great step forward. Others might be a bit uncomfortable with the Decatur area becoming too chic, as was commented on this site with the announcement that Pangaea was setting up shop on Ponce. Ultimately, we’d be blind not to see it coming. It won’t happen overnight, but we’d be kidding ourselves if we didn’t think that the winds of change are blowing east. Look out sleepy Scottdale…you’re next!

It should be an interesting ride. Stay tuned.

Ahhh…What a rush!