Finding the Best Local Foods

1. Finding the Best Local Foods by Sally Zimmermann

2. 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?

3. 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)

4. Benefits • Nutrition • Taste • Supports our local economy • Connects us with our food and the seasons • Community • Accountability and traceability • Food safety and food security • Preserves open space • Environment and watershed • Genetic diversity and wildlife • Preserves small local farms for future generations

5. FAQ 1 - Isn’t eating local more expensive? • Consider • Your pocketbook • Your health • Your environment • Animal treatment

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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”

9. 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

10. 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)

11. FAQ 1 - Isn’t eating local more expensive?

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. Ways to obtain local food • 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

16. Ways to obtain local food • 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

17. Ways to obtain local food • 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

18. Ways to obtain local food • 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

19. Ways to obtain local food • 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

20. Ways to obtain local food • 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

21. Ways to obtain local food • 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

22. Ideas for Local Food at Montgomery College • Local food club • Direct food purchasing – and highlighting it • Apples, local pizza flavors • Weekly farmers’ market • CSA options, students work for food credit • Community garden • Composting • Farm tours • Cooking classes • Lecture series • Break projects • Class projects • Harvest crews and lunch

23. 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

24. Summary • Vote with your pocketbook • Support local, sustainable farms • Support direct farm-to-consumer sales • Start gradually • Involve others • Keep learning • Enjoy!!!

25. Questions and comments