Greetings Fellow Eaters,
Let's hear it for the power of the people!
Winter looms, fields are fallow, most
seasonal markets have gone dark until
mid-spring-usually not a flush time for local
eaters. But this year resources for fourth
season foods are popping up everywhere! And
you know what's driving this increased access
to local food? Not CEOs, not the USDA, it's
you, the eater.
This season, winter markets, off-season CSAs,
dedicated mongers and shop owners are finding
new ways to connect locavores with the
sustainably raised foods we want (and love!)
all year long. I'm thrilled about it. Not
just because it makes it easier to eat
locally produced foods, and not just because
I get to support my local growers more fully
but because all of this winter activity
points to the determination of eaters
everywhere to enjoy a more delicious,
sustainable future. It is the passion and
power of the people that continues to drive
this local eating movement forward-season
after season.
In this month's Sustainable Solutions I'll
give you some resources for finding local
foods this winter. Also, just in time for
the holidays, a special gift from (drum roll)
Brad Pitt.
Wishing you a scrumptious, never-ending harvest.
Keep it Real,
Sherri
Fourth Season Eating
How to Find the Local Foods You Crave
Many of these programs are pilot
efforts-farmers or organizations that are
testing the market to get a bead on demand.
So your support is crucial. Get out there
and be local and vocal-stock up on winter
goods and let your farmer, chef, or shop
owner know how glad you are to have access to
regional edibles in the fourth season.
Winter Markets
Stop by a winter market for seasonal items
such as root vegetables, cold weather greens,
squashes, cold frame or hot-house items,
baked goods, local meats, milk and cheese.
To find a location near you, contact your
state's Department of Agriculture or the
market master of your warm-weather market. I
am sending along a few links for markets in
the NY Metro area.
If you have a good resource for local food in
your area, please send it along and I'll post
it in the next newsletter.
NYC Green
Market
City
Seed
New
Amsterdam Public Winter Market
Westchester
Market
Winter CSAs
Many off-season CSAs are already in swing for
the winter. And it's never too early to
start talking to your favorite growers from
the Farmers' Market or from your regular CSA
about an early season group. Many welcome
the opportunity to grow if they know they
will have a market for their product. Here
are some links for CSA growers:
Robyn Van
Eyn Center
Local
Harvest
Just Food
Meat, Milk, Eggs
Snow covered fields slow production of
pasture-raised meat, milk and eggs. However,
growers often have meat in their freezers to
sell and a slow but steady trickle of milk
and eggs to offer. Contact your local
growers, many have websites, or look for
these products in area stores.
Cheese
The pasture may be fallow but the cheese
might be aged just about perfectly. As a
matter of fact, those raw milk cheeses might
be just getting past their 60-day release
date. Pick up some locally produced cheese
bought directly from the farm or from a
reputable monger.
Independent Markets
Big Box stores rely on massive, centralized
distribution chains to stock their shelves.
But smaller, independently owned markets make
their own buying decisions so they have the
flexibility to purchase directly from
growers. You're more likely to find local,
seasonal items at these markets-particularly
if you ask for them.
Make it Right
Rebuilding New Orleans
As you might have gathered from reading this
newsletter, I'm crazy about New Orleans and
its cultural and culinary traditions. What
you may not know is that Brad Pitt has
organized a fabulous project to rebuild the
9th Ward, home to many of the musicians and
members of the food community that make NOLA
so unique. A donation makes a great
charitable contribution, holiday gift or
token of holiday spirit. Donate today and
help reNew Orleans.
Appearances
About to take a little holiday break. Before
I do, I will be doing one book signing for
GreenEdge Collaborative this Sunday, December
16th in Brooklyn, NY. Come on out and talk food!
The Real Food Revival:
Aisle by Aisle, Morsel by Morsel
Buy the book! The Real Food Revival is for every
eater who wants to enjoy sustainably raised
foods.
Whether you're new to the real food movement
or an
old pro this book is full of tips and tricks for
reclaiming the food chain.
