“Laughter is the measure of your faith.”
-Martin Luther
Local challenge
I read an article recently in Mississippi Market’s Market Medley newsletter speaking to the challenge of eating local. I have often come across different facts about the petrol and time involved with much of our food getting from the farm to our plate, yet it’s always striking to me. Here are six facts stated in the article…
ONE: Ten percent of all fossil fuel energy consumption in the united states is due to food processing, transportation, storage, and preparation.
TWO: Processed food in the United States travels more that 1,300 miles on average to reach consumers.
THREE: On average, produce travels more than 1,500 miles from the industrial farm to the plate.
FOUR: On average, an American meal usually consists of ingredients from five different countries.
FIVE: Typically, food spends 7 to 14 days in transit to reach American consumers.
SIX: Smaller family-owned farms typically reinvest more into the local economy by purchasing goods and services available in their region, rather than through large bulk distributors outside the region.
Earth Dance Farm is around 100 miles from most of your homes. The food is harvested on Tuesday and Wednesday before the Thursday delivery. Obviously there are no dyes, preservative sprays, or oils needed to enhance the life or look of the produce. It comes from the soil, gets washed, cooled, and arrives for you to wash and consume. It seems pretty simple, pretty natural. It definitely takes work, fuel, and time, but certainly more reasonable than the facts above. You are part of a good thing.
Enjoy!
Farmer Notes
- So nice to wake up to the rumble of thunder. We missed out on rain Sunday/Monday of this week and could really use a good soaker
- Some sweet corn are not full ears as we finish off the first planting
- Golden beets are the favorite of the deer as they tear right through the row cover to munch them. That must mean they are uber sweet
- Enough basil for some pesto or to make salsa. Just put them in water like a flower to save them for a week of use
- End of the broccoli and cabbage for summer – more in late fall
- Romaine for full shares only – radishes only in single share boxes
- Slicers and cherry or roma tomatoes for everyone this week
- Bell peppers and eggplant are putsing along, I hope they beat the frost
- Summer squash and zucchini just will not quit
- Onions are sweet and great for anything and everything
- A break from potatoes this week – we will give you some white baking potatoes in next week’s delivery
- Melons are looking good but need 2 more weeks to sweeten
- Wash all of your produce before you eat it
