Comments on: Farm Fresh and Local Produce – 7/19/08

By: Lois

Lois — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 14:17:30 +0000

I think Snowville Creamery won’t be back at the Clintonville Farmer’s Market until Autumn. But they’re making twice weekly deliveries to the Giant Eagle at 2801 North High, Tuesdays & Saturdays if I remember correctly. Other retail locations are listed at http://www.snowvillecreamery.com/locations.php

By: rainbowbrown

rainbowbrown — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 01:41:12 +0000

Wow, what beautiful peppers!

By: Jess

Jess — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 14:44:28 +0000

My hubby and I spent the weekend in Madison and hit the “big” farmers market at the capitol. It was awesome. We ended up with some basil ($1/bunch) two tomatoes ($3 – they were about $3.75-3.99/lb) a pound of sugar pease ($2) and, since we live in wisconsin, 2 bags of cheese curds and 2 blocks of another Finnish/Sweedish bread cheese. SOOO good.

There were lots of potatoes and beans too, but we passed. I wish we lived closer!

By: Kathy Rhoads

Kathy Rhoads — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 10:49:33 +0000

Our nation in the past has been blessed with cheap food and fuel. Unfortunately, fuel shortages, the lower American dollar value, etc. have fueled an unprecedented demand for “locally” grown food. There is definitely more demand than supply right now.

A cool, wet spring is affecting the availability at this time which in turn is raising prices until the full summer season kicks in. The April freeze of 2007 has left lingering damage and shortages on 2008 perennial crops in some areas.

Farmers are experiencing a 50% increase in many of the inputs necessary to produce a crop. Land values, labor and safe food practices have significantly increased. This added cost of production alone raises retail price.

Historically, our global food system didn’t cultivate the smaller produce farmers necessary to meet the current demand for local produce, and one can’t enter agriculture in hardly less than a season. Farming takes a long-time committment of capital, land, and dedication. In our 50 years of farming we have never seen such demands for local produce and don’t know if there is enough data to sustain a strong future in further investment.

Maybe when shopping farmers markets with a budget in mind, one could inventory the pantry and freezer, and buy items to compliment a meal without purchasing the complete menu. But, browse, enjoy and share with friends in conversation the choices you found at market today.

Visit with a farmer, learn his story and enjoy the bounties of his harvest.

By: Maggie

Maggie — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 23:19:15 +0000

I love the corn and plums.

By: OhioMom

OhioMom — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 16:31:42 +0000

I popped down to my market for some Feta cheese from Lake Erie Creamery, she didn’t have any today so I bought the goat cheese. I also picked up some leeks, tomatoes, peaches, zucchini, honey, sorrel and spices.

Corn is $5 a dozen …