Farmers' Market

We like to buy locally produced anything, especially food. I've been reading Barbara Kingsolver's Animal, Vegetable, Miracle. It's a great read and very inspiring. Kingsolver chronicles her family's year of local eating: everything grown/raised themselves or very nearby. They had to order flour, coffee, spices from fair trade growers as these aren't local. But even fruit and veggies from far-a-field were outlawed as the petrol costs of shipping and the usually low return to farmers was unacceptable. SO. The book is a really good read. Lots of articles about the state of American farming, loss of plant/animal species, gardening and preserving info, and recipes.

So on this week's trip to the farmers' market I decided to spend the $5.25 for a pound of lean ground bison meat. The money actually goes to the rancher! The animal was grass fed (as nature intends for range animals)rather than grain/steroid/synthetic vitamin fed and bison meat has less fat and cholesterol than skinless chicken and way more protien and iron than any other domesticated meat. It was really good! We grilled burgers prepared with only shallot/salt/pepper. YUM.

Also bought beets, corn, green beans, and peppers. I spent a total of $10.25 including the meat, money which I handed to the farmer. I'm going back Tuesday for more of everything. I want to can those yummy beets.

Photos: the haul, bean comparison: my purple beans and the big ol' greens from the farmer, Aedyn in Tummy Time.

missing you. go to your farmers' market!