Finding the Best Local Foods

by Sally Zimmermann

Questions

Why are local, sustainable foods better? Do they cost more? What’s involved in eating seasonal? How can I find a local, sustainable, family farm? Should I join a CSA? What can we do at MC to support local,

sustainable foods?

What to look for

Comes from within 150 miles Safe, sustainable farming practices

– Pastured animals– Organic, natural, biological– Biodynamic, integrated, permaculture – IPM - for local fruit

Non-sustainable farming practices– GMO/GE seeds and feed– Toxic pesticides, chemical fertilizers– Animal drugs including growth hormones– Factory farms or Confined Animal Feeding Operations

(CAFOs)

Benefits

1. Nutrition 2. Taste 3. Supports our local economy 4. Connects us with our food and the seasons5. Community6. Accountability and traceability 7. Food safety and food security 8. Preserves open space9. Environment and watershed10.Genetic diversity and wildlife 11.Preserves small local farms for future generations

FAQ 1 - Isn’t eating local more expensive?

Consider– Your pocketbook– Your health– Your environment– Animal treatment

FAQ 1 - Isn’t eating local more expensive?

Finding money for food– Track all your expenses

Spreadsheet

– Make an overall budget Prioritize

– Keep tracking and fine tuning

FAQ 1 - Isn’t eating local more expensive?

Getting the most nutrition for your dollar – Avoid

Eating out Vending machines Prepared beverages Value-added foods

FAQ 1 - Isn’t eating local more expensive?

Getting the most nutrition for your dollar– Tips

– Direct purchase– Quantity discounts, bulk purchase– Seasonal abundance– Seconds– Work for farmer, get paid in “food”

FAQ 1 - Isn’t eating local more expensive?

Getting the most nutrition for your dollar– Spend your money where it matters most

Avoid certification labels, do your own research– Small farms usually don’t get certified

Some fruits/veggies are more likely grown without pesticides

– Dirty dozen The higher up the food chain, the more toxins

concentrate– Spend extra for organic dairy and meat

FAQ 1 - Isn’t eating local more expensive?

Getting the most nutrition for your dollar– Think inexpensive nutrient dense meals

Garbage soup (real bone broth with leftovers) Lentils, rice Pastured eggs Oatmeal Cheaper, less tender cuts of meat (pot roasts, organ

meats)

FAQ 1 - Isn’t eating local more expensive?

Grocery

~Giant

Organic Grocery

~MOMs

Farmers’ Market

~Takoma

Food Club

~NCFC

Apples

(pink lady)

$1.89/lb

Brix 15.4

$1.99/lb

Brix 14.0

$1.99/lb

Brix 14.0

$.78/lb

Brix 15.6

Ground Beef

$4.99/lb $6.99/lb $6.50/lb $4.00/lb

Eggs $2.39 $4.19 $3.50 $3.50

Sweet Potatoes

$.99/lb

Brix 9.0

$1.99/lb

Brix 11.6

$1.79/lb

Brix 11.1

$1.00/lb

Brix 14.0

FAQ 2 - Isn’t it harder to obtain local food?

– Initially, yes Sources

– Search internet, ask friends Logistics

– Help each other, share pick-up

– Ultimately, maybe a little, but benefits include Getting to know a farmer Learning about food Being connected to your food

FAQ 3 - Doesn’t eating local require more preparation time?

– Initially, yes There is a learning curve

– Ultimately, no You can prepare something in the time it would take to

go out to eat

FAQ 3 - Doesn’t eating local require more preparation time?

Advice– Menu planning

Old way - find a recipe, then purchase New way - purchase, then find recipe & improvise

– Bulk up-front preparation Whole chicken Soup

– Menus Reuse favorite dinners Leftovers for lunch (or breakfast) A roast chicken can evolve into a few different meals Grab and go foods – apples, nuts, cheese

Ways to obtain local food

1. Grow your own– Benefits

Reduced food costs Freshness (taste and nutrition) Convenience Fresh air, sunshine Connects you with nature (and your neighbor) Fun, rewarding and exercise

– Possible drawbacks No time

– Herbs, perennials Small yard?

– Grow vertically, container garden, sprout, ferment Deer and rabbits?

– Fence– Plants and seeds

Open pollinated seeds Native plants Purchase from companies not associated with GMOs

Ways to obtain local food

2. Community gardens– Examples

Start one Join an existing one

– Benefits Community! Reduced food costs Freshness (taste and nutrition) Fresh air, sunshine and connects you with nature Fun, rewarding and exercise

Ways to obtain local food

3. Food clubs– Definition

A group that works together to purchase food

– About my food club Our sources Purchase in bulk (restaurant pricing) Meet every other Tuesday night Everyone volunteers Web-based software Benefits

Ways to obtain local food

4. Community Supported Agriculture (CSAs)– How they work

You get a box of food (produce, meat, cheese) once per week for about 15 weeks

A “produce share” - around $500, feeds 4 or 5 and can be split Early-bird discounts and add-on options Pick-up locations

– Farmer benefits Since everything is “pre-sold,” they have capital They can focus on farming instead of marketing

– Consumer benefits Less expensive than a farmers’ market CSA boxes get filled before other sales You become part of the farm - newsletters, tours and events

Ways to obtain local food

5. On-farm (most close for the winter)– Pick your own

Least expensive Try to avoid weekends and Mondays

– Direct-sales Significant discounts for bulk purchase Many require you to pre-order, some offer “early birds” Some have group drop-off locations Some have apprenticeship programs

– Roadside stands Markets associated with orchards Look for ones that grow their own

Ways to obtain local food

6. Farmers’ markets– Usually you meet the farmers– Best selection when market opens– Best values when market is about to close– Bring a large bag– Food stamps, cash and credit cards– Free samples– If you want something not offered, ask – Prepared food, seasonal plants, and specialty items– “Producers only” markets

Ways to obtain local food

7. Stores– Most selection, priciest – The smaller stores carry more (and better) local

food than the larger chains– Ask stores to carry your favorite local foods

Ideas for Local Food at Montgomery College

1. Local food club2. Direct food purchasing – and highlighting it

Apples, local pizza flavors

3. Weekly farmers’ market CSA options, students work for food credit

4. Community garden5. Composting6. Farm tours7. Cooking classes8. Lecture series9. Break projects10. Class projects11. Harvest crews and lunch

On my websitewww.montgomerycollege.edu/~szimmerman

Today’s PowerPoint My notes My favorites

– Search tools for farmers’ markets, family farms, CSAs, and organic food

– Family farms - including pick your own and roadside markets– Farmers’ markets– Stores– Plant and seed sources– Books and movies– Organizations– Websites

My e-mail

Summary

Vote with your pocketbook– Support local, sustainable farms– Support direct farm-to-consumer sales

Start gradually Involve others Keep learning Enjoy!!!

Questions and comments