Local Organic, Organic and CSA

[duffless2323.livejournal.com]

Hi All,

I just saw Food Inc and it has made me think a bit more about where my food comes from and how I spend my shopping dollars. I live in Davis (well Teeleish) but can rarely make it to the Farmers Market. I hear there is one in Union on Sat, I will be checking that out. I'm new to all of this and I'm doing my research to get started eating organically etc. Any tips, stores, etc in the local area I should be checking out, I'm not overly eager to give Whole Foods money if there are cheaper more local options. Thanks

Comments

[desiringsubject.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure how many CSA's still have shares available as most have already started. As a low-impact intro to the concept, I'd suggest Boston Organics, which now offers an all-or-mostly local box, and that's delivered to your door. You might also still be able to jump on board at Enterprise Farm Share or Busa Farms. If you're teele local, there's a farmshare that has a pickup in the parking lot by the powderhouse community school (packard and broadway) but I don't know which one. It's probably the geographically closest pickup to you. Worth inquiring. Sorry no linkdrops. Working against a deadline. Use the google :D

[chenoameg.livejournal.com]

There might be farmer's markets closer to where you spend your days -- there are lots of them in MA:
http://www.mass.gov/agr/massgrown/farmers_markets.htm

Dave's Fresh Pasta and Kickass Cupcakes both carry dairy products from local farms and a small selection of local produce.

There are oodles of CSA options in the area, but most of them have waiting lists at this point in the season. If you check the local food tag you should be able to find out more about them. (Some names to throw at you: Brookfield Farm, Enterprise Farm, Redfire Farm, Parker Farm, Orchard Farm (meat share), Cape Ann Fresh Catch (fish share))

I have to warn you, though, the taste of the local food is so amazing you may never be able to go back.

[mistresshellena.livejournal.com]

Pemberton Farms is a good reliable place throughout the year with better prices on organic produce than I've seen elsewhere and about the same for other fancy items. Always local products available as well.

[m00n.livejournal.com]

First of all I'd like to put in a plug for Dave's Fresh Pasta which sells pretty much all local produce, fish, and other goods.

Secondly, if I might add a bit of a commentary about the Whole Foods model, while it is certainly a national chain, and I am all for supporting local industry when possible, I have to hand one thing to them: Even though the store itself is a national chain, it is a LOT easier to find products by local vendors in their store (Taza's Chocolate, local fruits and vegetables, etc.) than it is to find those things at ANY other grocery store in the area (except Dave's that is). Many of the grocery stores around here are indeed locally owned companies (Johnnie's Foodmaster, DeMoula's Market Basket, etc.) but they seem to have no interest in supporting other industries in the area. Between buying locally made products from national chains and buying products made by multinational corporations from local stores, I'll take the former any day.

[chenoameg.livejournal.com]

I dunno, Teddie peanut butter (made in Everett) is at lot cheaper at Market Basket than anywhere else I've looked.

[m00n.livejournal.com]

Last time I got into this discussion with someone (over Teddie peanut butter in fact), it was about $0.20 cheaper at Whole Foods than at Shaw's. But the main point is that while this one brand is sold at both stores, there are literally a dozen brands of honey, jam, flour, salt, spices, meat, noodles, you name it, that are local, which Whole Foods sells, but which Market Basket, and all of the other local supermarket chains, do not.

[foosidiarian.livejournal.com]

Another strange thing is Market Basket seems to be the only grocery store to carry smooth organic teddie peanut butter. It's bizarre, all the hippy stores only have chunky organic or smooth "all natural".

[trtls.livejournal.com]

I agree with what someone else said about Whole Foods. I am generally anti-huge corporation, but they are trying to do it right. As a company they treat their employees pretty well and are trying to make a positive impact on the environment. Of course, much of their stock is trucked in from wherever, but if you went in there right now (as I did yesterday) you'll be shocked at the supply of local produce.

We do a CSA - not sure if you can still sign up or not. Its Parker Farms (http://web.mac.com/parkerfarm/iWeb/Site/csa%20program.html) and they have a Davis drop-off day. 978-582-9943; parkerfarm@mac.com

[ron_newman]

You may also want to check out Harvest Co-op in Central Square. To find other nearby farmers' markets, look at http://MassFarmersMarkets.org .

[obie119.livejournal.com]

Harvest Co-op hasn't actually done a great job getting the local foods.
I believe "farmer Dave" still has some CSA spots available (East Somerville pickup) as does Enterprise Farm (Davis Square). But if you are just starting out, I'd check www.massfarmersmarkets.org and see if there's a market close to your office; maybe you could stop by at lunch. That's what I do! Also, the Union Square market is fabulous!!! Another lovely Saturday market is in Winchester - if you like to ride a bike, it's a pretty ride there from Teele, and the market is on the town green and people set up picnics, etc.

[latvianchick.livejournal.com]

Ok, you already got good advice about the sourcing.

To add my 2c - don't get fixated on organic when you buy local. Getting an organic certification is an expensive and lengthy proposition and many people with good farming practices don't bother.

[djdreilinger.livejournal.com]

If you get into downtown Boston regularly, Red Fire Farm (http://www.redfirefarm.com/CSA/join.html) has reopened its CSA for Thursday dropoffs at South Station. (The Somerville and Cambridge dropoffs are full.) Cape Ann Fresh Catch plans to add new shares in a few weeks. Grain of salt, I belong to both.

[pekmez.livejournal.com]

Seriously? local salt? local spices? local noodles and flour? What do you mean by "local", and what are these brands?