In the past few years, it seems more and more shoppers are putting an emphasis on eating organic produce. Some shoppers, however, are taking that movement one step further and focusing on products grown and raised locally.
“Animal, Vegetable, Miracle,” by Barbara Kingsolver, chronicles the author’s family’s attempt to eat local for an entire year. The book was the November selection for the Friends of the Mill Creek Library book discussion group.
The family allowed themselves one “treat” each — coffee for Kingsolver’s husband, dried fruit for her 19-year-old daughter — but for one year, the family ate only food produced or raised on their own land or purchased at a nearby farmers market.
That meant eating only produce that was in season and able to grow in Virginia’s climate. All the surplus produce and meat was canned, frozen and dried to eat during the lean winter months. Kingsolver also stayed local when it came to dairy, learning how to make cheese at home.
In addition to writing about the ups and downs — mostly ups — of eating local, Kingsolver describes the rise of large farming corporations and genetically modified crops and the growing backlash from the American public against such practices.
Although Kingsolver’s dedication to eating local was aided by her location in the rural fertile foothills of Virginia, urban residents of soggy Puget Sound have several options available to them if they want to join the locavore movement.
Aside from the benefit of knowing where your food comes from, your money stays in town too, said Mollie Dootson, outreach coordinator for the Sno-Isle Co-op in Everett.
“People should consider (shopping local), especially in the holiday season and especially when people get tighter with their budget,” Dootson said. “Supporting your hometown is crucial.”
The Co-op focuses on local — as well as natural and organic — products, with many items coming from the Everett, Lake Stevens and Snohomish areas.
“Local is one of our main priorities,” Dootson said. “It really determines whether a product gets in or doesn’t.”
Dootson advises first-time locavores to be creative when searching for food.
“Often you can even source things from your neighbors and smaller local businesses,” she said. “Your dollars stay in town when you’re buying in town and when you’re shopping in town.”
Where to buy
When it comes to local products in Puget Sound, most people probably think of Pike Place Market first. But there are other places that offer locally grown produce and meats:
• Farmers markets. Most farmers markets are closed for the winter, but the Ballard Farmers Market, 5330 Ballard Ave NW, Seattle, and the University District Farmers Market, University Way and Northeast 50th, Seattle, are open year-round.
• Stores. The Web site Pugetsoundfresh.org lists the following sources for people interested in eating local. Be sure to check with store employees about the availability of local products: Sno-Isle Natural Foods Co-op, 2804 Grand Ave., Everett and PCC Natural Markets, 9803 Edmonds Way, Edmonds.
Other stores are also listed. Check the site for more information.
• Community supported agriculture (CSA). Some farms offer CSA programs; subscribers pay a fee directly to the farmer and receive weekly deliveries of seasonal, farm-fresh produce. For more information, visit www.pugetsoundfresh.org/csa.htm.
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