Think Local and Delicious–Heather Hammond

Think Local and Delicious

It’s mid-April, and spring is finally popping up all around the country. Here in Michigan, I think there were moments when we thought for sure it would stay cold and keep snowing for the rest of our lives. But, as I type, the sun is shining and the buds are pushing their way into it with their best effort. Now is the time to start thinking about local produce. The green grass and the sunshine of spring are wonderful, but local foods and farmer’s markets are what make this season such a treat for me. But not only is the food delicious, I feel in good conscience eating it. Most of the time, we eat food that we don’t have a clue where it comes from. Did you know that each food item in a typical U.S. meal has traveled an average of 1,500 miles? (from Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver) With gas prices soaring these days, it’s a wonder there’s not a revolt. Well, there can at least be retaliation – and it starts with eating locally. In Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, Steven L. Hopp writes, “If every U.S. citizen ate just one meal a week (any meal) composed of locally and organically raised meats and produce, we would reduce our country’s oil consumption by over 1.1 million barrels of oil every week.” Save our planet’s resources and eat a delicious meal? Count me in! Most farmer’s markets open in April or May, depending on where you live. Now’s the time to set the alarm on Saturday morning, pull on some jeans and a sweater and peruse the local fair with a cup of hot tea in hand. Get to know your local farmers – and in doing so, you’ll get to know the food that is nourishing your body. Another option for those who are ready to take the plunge – look into buying a share in a local farm. In most cases, you pay a seasonal fee up front, then each week you get a basket or bag (or more bags than you can carry come mid-summer!) of whatever is growing that week. This is a great way to learn about what grows in your area throughout the growing season, but it is also a wonderful exercise to learn to plan to your meals around whatever food is available. This might sound old-fashioned, but there’s nothing I like more than pulling out my cookbooks each Wednesday night in the summer to try to figure out how to use up all the fresh food on my counter. I would be remiss if I did not mention how delicious the local produce tastes. I’ll never forget the first time I ate a locally grown carrot. It was dessert-sweet and crunchy, and it’s making my mouth water just thinking about it. I remember thinking, “Is this what a carrot is supposed to taste like? I’ve been missing out my entire life.” Then I had a moment when I thought about hiding our little stash from my husband so I could eat them all. I didn’t. And I can’t wait for my 2008 installment of eating a real carrot.