Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Putting my money where my mouth is

As some of you know, for my thesis project I'm designing a restaurant centered around the principles of sustainable agriculture. That is to say, food that is organically and sustainably raised and produced, and local to extend 150 miles from Richmond. Some might say that organic and sustainable are the same, but after reading Michael Pollan's book, The Omnivore's Dilemma, he makes a very valid point that there is a significant difference in not just scale, but also footprint, of how the food is raised. If it's true that on average our food travels about 1,300 miles from farm (or factory) to our plate, that distance comes with considerable unseen "costs" that in days of increasinglyt scarce oil, may become unbearable in years to come.

Much of my research started with looking at the slow food movement, and chefs who work to promote "slow" foods and production in their restaurants. Chief among these chefs here in the US is Alice Waters. She has founded a non-profit organization that is looking to promote more healthy eating in public schools in a novel way: by teaching children to grow the food and prepare it, you instill in them an appreciation for their work, and a greater appreciation of the value of digging in the dirt. Several schools in the Berkeley area have implemented this type of program, with the food grown on former playgrounds being incorporated into daily menus.

Other reading on the topic of eating seasonally and locally included Barbara Kingsolver's book Animal, Vegetable, Miracle and Plenty: One Man, One Woman, and a Raucous Year of Eating Locally by Alisa Smith and J.B. Mackinnon. Those two books prompted me to question the quality of the food I was finding in my local Ukrops, Fresh Market, and Kroger supermarkets. Asparagus, blueberries, and grapes available throughout the year, but at what cost? Is it cheaper to buy those grapes knowing they may have been grown with DDT, when you factor in the possible health issues of consuming those pesticides? What about how much it cost to get them here, and what the farm worker was paid to harvest them? These are hard questions, and while my bleeding liberal heart told me to abandon all trips Ukrops, the realistic side of me knew that I couldn't at this point commit myself to eating that way immediately. So I've done the next best thing. I've bought a share of a CSA.

CSA's are wonderful things: you purchase at the beginning of the season a share of a farmer's produce, and I had the option--which I took--of including free-range eggs, chicken, flowers, and goat cheese. (In my book it's worth it for the goat cheese alone!) I found a cooperative of about 3 farms from two neighboring counties, and one outside Charlottesville that delivers on a weekly basis to a local market here in town. While it seemed steep to write a check out in advance for all that food, I know it will be worth it in the long run. I may have to come up with creative ways to get my kids to eat things like beets, but my daughter's budding interest in the culinary arts should give us some good times in the kitchen and improve my nutrition during peak training months. To find a CSA near you, check out LocalHarvest. Bon Appetit.

7 comments:

tri-ing races not cases said...

Fun! After Jonah's post last year about CSA, I joined one this spring as well. We'll have to swap notes - mine does not have goat cheese. But fresh eggs are the best - and you will be amazed at all the colors they come in (and the fact they don't have to be refrigerated if you don't want to).

Jerome Harrison said...

Hey Kate,
Thanks for educating me on this...I will check out that website...I find this interesting and something I should pay more attention to! Jen H.

Joy | Love | Chaos said...

Kate - I definitely recommend you take a look at White Dog Cafe in your research. http://www.whitedog.com/

They have a similar approach to sustainability and local growers, but also have a vibrant speaking program that has thrived for many, many years. I would imagine their success would be interesting to you in your reading...

TriGirl 40 said...

Kate - have you been to The Edible Garden in Goochland -

http://ediblegarden.org/default.aspx

"Our Goal at Edible Garden is to demonstrate to the community the benefits and enjoyment of eating quality, organically grown food, professionally prepared in delicious dishes,
while supporting our local farmers."

Jonah Holland said...

So happy you have jumped on the wagon Kate! Now, if I could just get some of those eggs, I would be so happy? I belong to Victory Farms (formerly Sprout) but they don't offer flower, eggs or goat cheese. It's the eggs, I'd like most. Maybe we can make a trade? Do they grow all the veggies too?

Trigirl Shawn said...

Polyface Farm near Staunton is a good place for meat and eggs, they are beyond organic. Ellwood Thompson has the farm owners book, which is very interesting. The farm is open to the public and to see it is pretty fun and informative.

kerrie said...

so refreshing to see that i am not the only crazy one out there....i really have to stop reading all of this stuff, but i can't. isn't the hfcs stuff scary, especially when you have kids? i am from canada, and it even freaks me out since it isn't even allowed in the food there but here it is in EVERYTHING!!!!!
i am currently reading Slaughterhouse - yuck....