Community and Food

One of the unexpected bonuses of getting a puppy was meeting our neighbors. We've lived in our house since August and have just now been introduced to most everyone on our street. I know where the arborist lives, the writing professor, and the edible landscaper.... all people I can resource about my interests. Parents let their kids come play with Banjo which is great for his socialization and sometimes I even get a helping hand in the garden - I'm amazed at how good little girls are at picking snow peas that I miss! All these relationships are mutually beneficial and work to foster a feeling of safety and community that I've been craving.

Many people have written about the benefits of strong communities, so I won't go too deep into it --- But I know that my new found one has definitely thwarted what used to be an immediate need to move closer to my circle of friends. I also feel more invested in the area - noticing teenager's signs for lawn mowing services, cars that drive too fast, kids playing alone, common plants in yards, etc. I'm happy being in the neighborhood, knowing I can find intelligent conversation and have people I can rely on if we ever need something... and vice versa.

Now this brings me to supporting communities. One easy way to do this is to support local businesses.... and local food. I try to get most of my produce out of my garden or at the farmer's market, but weekends can sometimes be crazy and I've missed a market or two. At that point, I'm forced to shop the supermarkets to find what I need. I try to go to the small, local shop but sometimes branch out to Whole Foods - where I also go to find grassfed meat (although their selection is small).

Meeting my neighbors made me want to have a relationship with the people who grow my food as well. I want to see their faces, visit the farms, and feel good about how I'm spending my money and what I'm eating. This week I joined two CSAs:

• Marin Sun Farms - for monthly deliveries of pastured beef, poultry, pork (they even have lamb and goat)
• Two Small Farms - for weekly deliveries of produce and flowers

The two farms above pertain only to the Bay Area (thus the local part), but CSAs exists most everywhere. Another great resource is Buy Fresh Buy Local - there are chapters for locations around the country. The site gives a helpful list of restaurants and stores where you can find local fare and explains the importance of being picky about what you eat.

For anyone who thinks that it is too costly to buy local, read a book by Michael Pollan or Joel Salatin. They do a great job of explaining the real costs of our industrialized food system.

My first CSA deliveries are in March. I'll try to post pictures of what we receive and tell you what we make. Until then, I'll be walking Banjo down the street...