I purchased Kingsolver's book, Animal, Vegetable, Miracle which is a fascinating read. The book is not only a tale of how her family moved to local eating, but also about food production and quality in the U.S.A.
Yesterday, I investigated our closest farmers market. There were lots and lots of vegetables - but since we are part of the CSA I did not indulge in any. I did purchase some delicious fig preserves as well as lamb chops from a local farm. I cannot wait to see how they taste when I grill them.
As much as I like getting our grocery bill as low as possible, I also worry about the lack of ethics in some of the food industry. Added hormones, pesticides, and animal mistreatment bother me greatly. Additionally, I want to do what I can to lower the contributions I make to environmental pressures like gas dependence, the Georgia drought, and the basic overindulgence in convenience-only living that I am just as guilty of as anyone.
Weighing these factors, I decide to take on an October 2008 challenge. In addition to the CSA produce, I want to try out purchasing only local dairy products, eggs, and meat. I am curious to see how it fits into our budget, and how we feel at the end of the month.
Comments