Peace, Love & Food

So, I'm feeling slightly like a tree hugger. If you've noticed, there are a lot of grassroots movements popping up under the "sustainable food " ilk. The point of these types of movements is to make a difference in the way Americans eat while supporting smaller, local farmers. It is an easy way to personally "kick against the pricks" of the behemoth industrial food business. By shopping at a farmers' market, buying local organic foods, or by participating in a community-supported agricultural program, you can eat healthier and help your community. It's a win-win situation, except for those huge food manufacturers who don't care about what you put into your body anyway.

I like to try new things, and I've been a little repulsed by what I've read about processed foods in Eat This, Not That, so I joined The Community Food Co-Op of Utah. Once a month I order what I want, and this morning was my first experience with picking up my food. Our drop site is in Clearfield, about 7 miles from my house. A "standard share" is $23, and this is what I got:


1 lb. ground beef
2 lb. chicken breasts
3 lbs. beef back ribs
5 lbs. potatoes
1 head cauliflower
4 locally grown zucchini
2 bunches locally grown green onions
5 pears
2 lb. cherries
8 apricots
1 pkg. cherry tomatoes
1 loaf artisan wheat bread
16 z. brown rice

I am definitely showing up early next time because I had to wait about 50 minutes in line--no fun in the July sun. I think it was a pretty good deal, but to make it worth my time I think I will order 2 shares next time, or a standard share and a half share. These types of co-ops are all about working for a common good, so they ask that you do at least 2 hours of community service each month--which can be helping on distribution days or just in your community or church. Not a bad trade off!

From what I could tell, there weren't a bunch of Birkenstock-wearing, bra-burning, environmentalist types there today, but I'm still feelin' groovy about the whole experience. It feels good, but I won't be attending any protests or rallies anytime soon!