A few weeks ago, I shared a study that found nutrients in the U.S. food supply are declining. Which could explain why millions of Americans, who prefer to be thin, are overeating to get more nutrients. Another study found that industrial farming techniques – including the use of petroleum-based fertilizer – reduces nutrient levels in food, …
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From the Union-Tribune – Historic drought ripples across Southwest: It’s been a brutal summer…in the upper Colorado River basin. The drought that’s spanned the nation for months has wrung out the Rocky Mountain region where much of the West’s water is produced. Residents of northwestern Colorado are watching gardens fail, crops wither, forest fire threats grow, …
Continue reading “Are you aware much of the U.S. is in a devastating drought?”
In the past few years, the USDA has started paying more attention to farmers markets. They now conduct a yearly survey asking all market managers in the country to stand up and be counted: It’s safe to say that farmers markets are booming. They have more than doubled in the past decade (151% growth), …
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I found a fantastic column from writer Carol Golden in San Diego Magazine. “At the Market – what to watch for this month:” March is a transitional month, like pubescence for produce. We’re tired of root veg, but strawberries haven’t come of age. Thanks be to peas—the hint of light, sweet green we crave as …
Continue reading “At the market – in season – March the beginning of Spring”
“Ideally, farmers market customers would like a vendor to offer: Wild fish that is freshly caught, rather than frozen. Caught in local waters. Sold directly by the fisherman, his family or his employees. Available regularly and reliably in a diverse range of products. A reasonable price. “Realistically, however, it is virtually impossible for one vendor …
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A recent study from the USDA released this map of farmers markets. Notice that the Northeast and West Coast dominate (dark blue). From the report: “Direct-to-consumer sales are highest in the Northeast, on the West Coast, and around a few isolated metropolitan areas throughout the country.” “Farms with direct-to-consumer sales are most likely to have …
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With all this talk about eating local and counting miles I thought it would be good to explain what it really means. The foundation for local eating starts with a foodshed. Foodshed: a region or area from which a population draws its food. The typical limit on these regions is 100 miles. Draw a 100-mile …