GroovyGreen.com – Start Today :: Save Tomorrow

Ed note: This is the last installment of my “Green Tips”, a bi-weekly series that I have been submitting to the company newsletter. I’ve been submitting them for over 6 months now. Perhaps you might consider starting something like “Green Tips” at your office. The feedback to date has been overwhelmingly positive, and it is nice to talk with co-workers about something other than work…
There have been recent reports that a harmful substance melamine has entered the nation’s food supply in pork and chicken. The tainted animal feed that poisoned thousands of pets throughout the country has been fed to large factory farms that breed chickens and pigs. The government states that the level of melamine that has entered the food supply has been deemed at levels that are not harmful to humans. Even so, the thought of eating a byproduct of coal production in undisclosed amounts is troubling to say the least.

One way to avoid buying any tainted product is to get your meat from local farms and vendors that have been pasture-raised or grass-fed. The local farmer’s market gives you an opportunity to meet your farmers face to face. You are free to ask them the methods they use to raise their animals. Eating local also helps keep your money circulating in the Central New York area, rather than merely becoming corporate profits.

The spring season brings us our first taste of locally grown veggies and fruits, and the market should be in full swing within a few weeks. Greenhouse vegetables are already at the stands. Look for signs that say organic, or at least “no spray” – meaning that no pesticides have been used. Talk to your farmers and get to know them. We are blessed to have such a vibrant market in our community with a large variety of food. There is local soap, yogurt, milk, eggs, meat, honey, candles, wine, woodworking, fresh pies and jams, bread, and a host of fruits and veggies, all from the Central New York area.

Nothing beats fresh eggs from the market. Crack one of your store bought eggs in a bowl, and then compare to the farmer’s market eggs. The fresh yolk is brilliant orange-yellow (high in essential nutrients) compared with a dull yellow store bought egg. The flavor can’t be beat. A dozen eggs are still around $2.00.

Bring your children, and teach them where our food comes from (hint – the correct answer is not the supermarket). Support your local farmers and artisans.

The Regional Market runs Thursday, 10am to 6pm and Saturday, 7am to 2pm. For a complete listing of all the local farmer’s markets go to: http://www.nyfarmersmarket.com/regioncentralonondaga.htm

I hope to see you there on Saturday!

(pic from here:  http://tinyurl.com/2av7cu)