Livin’ la Vida Locavore
Nobody I know wakes up and says, ” I’m going to try to get the most tasteless produce available today, something that doesn’t look like it came out of the ground. While I’m at it, I’ll make sure it’s out of season here, and get it from two continents over.”
But one day it happens: you scan the fridge and the vegetables du jour consist of hermetically sealed pre-cut pineapple rings from Brazil, a jar of cocktail onions and a plastic bag of carrot nubs emasculated with a lathe. How? The allure of one-stop shopping is irresistible at times.
Why shouldn’t the smug taskmaster within us be seduced by the ability to gather pallets of toilet paper, an XL bag of onions, a daughter’s Hannah Montana glasses prescription, soccer snacks, a signed copy of The 19th Wife and new tires all from the same place?
Still, why get bell peppers from the Netherlands whey they grow them in Irvine? I found Orange County Certified Farmer’s Markets almost 20 years ago. Here are the top eleven reasons why I can’t stay away:
1. Flavor: once you’ve had a Tehachapi-grown Pink Lady with it’s dense crispness and tangy sweet flesh, you can never go back to the mealy, cold-storage supermarket Red Delicious.
2. Variety: Juicy purple carrots, buttery-fleshed blue potatoes and sweet yellow raspberries make your plate pop with Klee-like whimsy.
3. Diversity: Check out those short-window seasonal artisanal goods and exotics that aren’t marketable to stores due to small production. Sugar cane, oyster mushrooms, baby squash and blood oranges for starters.
4. Non-size standardization means you can find diminutive Fuji apples just the right size for lunch boxes and an artichoke the size of a medicine ball.
5. Localicious: I get a little jealous when my salad fixin’s have racked up more air miles in a few days than I have in the last year. Most goods at these markets don’t come from further than central California, and many are grown in OC.
6.Zinnamon Doodles: Bread Gallery in San Clemente makes a super moist applesauce-based roll packed with cinnamon the size of a beret.
7. Cabernet Brownies from Black Market Bakery. Tender, dark chocolate brownies with an outspoken smoky jamminess that comes from wine flour.
8. Convenience With ten markets a week, you’ll find one close to you. The Irvine Market on Saturday morning is the biggest with over 100 vendors. Markets also feature bakeries, honey, olive oil, cheeses, and fair trade non-agricultural items like clothing and bath products.
9. No pesticide. Most vendors who aren’t yet certified organic are moving towards that rigorous, time consuming and expensive process by not spraying. Supporting these small guys insures they’ll eventually get there.
10. Community It’s tough to have a relationship with a Styrofoam tray. At certified farmer’s markets, you learn about your food by talking with the people who had a hand in making it. I have met beekeepers, cheese makers, farmers and bakers who take great pride in bringing their exceptional quality goods to market.
11.Fun! Shopping outside in the sun with the guitar guy playing Memo from Turner beats Muzak and Kardashi-tainment headlines any day.
The Orange County Farm Bureau can be reached at (714) 573-0374. Go to hppt://orange.cfbf.com for the their list of certified farmer’s markets.
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amen and BRAVO galley girl, great and important post, something we need reminding about again and again. was just talking to furniture making friend who learned a local “green” wood provider grew his trees in the good ol’ U S of A but then shipped the cut logs off to china and back, because the slicing and dicing is cheaper there. REALLY? as consumers we are either supporting or denying such underhanded or even overt but stupid practices. i will think of you tomorrow at the noe street farmer’s market in SF, asking the question “how did this beet arrive in my hand?” the answer won’t involve a ship, airplane or train, and I can look right at the guy — high-five him even! — who grew it, picked it and drove it to me.
Kate:
So true! If we can be mindful with all the actions we take, we can slowly change with small steps!
I say this with the humility of someone who just put on a jacket made in Sri Lanka and drove her son to a school that’s in walking distance! Baby steps!
Thinking of you as you walk down your steps to the farmer’s market right in front of your flat: how cool! Better yet, you could devise a basket with a pulley, put it out your window, have them fill it and hoist it back up!
Thanks for commenting!
Alright you’ve inspired me. I’m going to the Farmer’s Market this week and getting some good produce! Every time I wander around the grocery store, I find my self wondering why I put up with it, but you’re right, it’s all about convenience. When you are trying to manage so many things you make compromises when it comes to the food you eat. Thanks for the link to the certified farmer’s markets. Oh, and beautiful pics!
Gregg´s last blog ..Photo of the Day * May 6, 2010
Gregg: You’ll love the Certified Farmer’s Markets! Make sure you go to the Irvine one on Sat. morning from 9-1 in University Market Place. It’s a hike, but really worth it with over 100 vendors.
I also like the Wed. market in Tustin on El Camino Real. Thanks for reading!
Another reason (besides all the wonderful ones you highlighted above) I shop at local farmers markets is the produce doesn’t have any preservatives sprayed on them.
I was SHOCKED when I did my weekly produce shopping at Tanaka Farms, it was SO GOOD had 10X the flavor but lasted maybe 2 days — those same items you purchase in the BIG stores last for weeks, SO GROSS.. we are preserving our own bodies with chemicals we unknowingly eat! ACK!
Do you have a FaceBook page? I want to follow you!
Lindsey (the modchik)´s last blog ..Summer Pappardelle with Tomatoes & Arugula
Lindsay: I heart Tanaka Farms! LOVE Glen from Tanaka.
Right on about the preservatives. Are we pre-embalming ourselves? EEEEEEEwwwwww!
Thanks for reading!
It can’t be said enough! And I’ll say this again – love your descriptive writing! Which Farmers Market do you frequent, Kelly? I desire me some Cabernet Brownies
Priscilla – She’s Cookin’´s last blog ..For the love of eggplant II
Hey Priscilla!
Thanks for reading! OK, you can get the cabernet brownies Blackmarket Bakery in Irvine any time, see link in the post. They have a stand at the Saturday morning market in Irvine that’s always well stocked with them. I also LOVE their homemade marshmallows!
They also sell the wine flour and cabernet cocoa powder there. Maybe you could finagle a recipe, or make one up,whipped up a batch and post it!
What a great and important post. We need to take steps towards making our world a better place…and you have given us several reasons why to do this! I love Farmer’s Markets and I only wish they were more abundant here in Colorado. Your photos reminded me of the days I used to spend hours walking around the local markets in Baltimore and San Fran. Thank you for sharing!
Monet´s last blog ..French Apple Tart