I’m currently struggling with an eating dilemma: When it comes to buying produce, is it better to find local suppliers or organic products?
I got a ton of help from Facebook and Twitter, and the overwhelming answer is:
LOCAL.*
*organic when possible
Well, I am doing my best to grow local products. It doesn’t get more local than my backyard, where I have an eclectic smattering of onions, herbs, beans, eggplant, tomatoes and more:
Nothing is quite ready to pick, but I’m hoping that this year’s crop is better than last year’s! (I’ll say it, since I know you’re thinking it…that eggplant’s a bit phallic, no?)
Even in my dreams, this garden will really only provide me some snacking materials, and maybe enough for a salad or two. Being a veggie-friendly family, Lucas and I need more supplies.
So, I’ve narrowed my options down to three:
- Buy local produce from a specialty store like Whole Foods or Chamberlain’s.
- Enroll in a CSA like Orlando Organics, a family-run business that offers all organic food (and gets local whenever possible).
- Enroll in a local food co-op like Homegrown, which is local first, organic second.
Each has benefits and drawbacks, including selection and price. Both Orlando Organics and Homegrown offer trial memberships, so I may check each one out and see what works best for our family. I kind of like the intrigue of not knowing what’s in each box — makes me feel like I’d be having “Chopped” challenges every week!
I look forward to hearing your take on my dilemma — and in the meantime, I wanted to share my lunchtime podcast…Splendid Table. I was listening today to this awesome story about a bride who grew all of the produce for her wedding. It’s a great podcast, for “people who love to eat.”
When it comes to shopping — do you go for local, organic or something else?
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{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
I try to buy produce at Farmer’s Markets nearby. I also have some friends with amazing gardens! They generously give us fresh produce and eggs.
I love to buy locally produce and fruits when it is possible. I think the food tastes so much better. It is a little harder for me to in the winter tho so then I will buy my veggies in bulk and sometimes organic if I can get a good deal
It’s better for the environment to buy food grown in the friendliest combination of soil & climate. In some cases that might mean local, but often not.
http://reason.com/archives/2008/11/04/the-food-miles-mistake
As much as I try to stick to all organic produce, it is not always practical (or affordable). If I can’t get organic my next choice is local, and conventional produce is the absolute last resort for me. I am trying to grow a few things in the back yard, so hopefully I will have my own locally-grown organic produce sometime soon!
I’m so excited that it’s finally getting to be the time of year when farmers’ markets will be back in full force in this area. I love to eat local when I can.
Hey Katy! I went through the same dilemma so I thought I would weigh in.
We have a 100% local CSA, but being in South Florida I didn’t want to be limited to the mostly tropical types of fruits and veggies they have.
I love things like apples, kiwis, peaches, grapes, garlic and more…that we don’t grow down here!
I ended up going with a buying club that is 100% certified organic, but local when possible. This week I got local corn, florida blueberries, and squash…but I also got a great variety of things that we don’t necessarily have here.
I LOVE my buying club and I LOVE my weekly produce. Each week is like Christmas! The price is good and everything has so much flavor. I am at the point where I pretty much want everything organic now, although I didn’t start out that way.
In case you are interested (and I don’t get anything out of this except satisfaction) she has pickup locations in the Orlando area. No membership fees, you just try three boxes before you make a decision.
Although I looked at Orlando Organics and Homegrown for comparison and they look pretty good as well. My pick would be Annie’s (mine) or Orlando Organics though!
Definatley local! I love farmer’s market.
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