Farmer's market

I've never really given much thought to the whole locally grown, organic hullaballo. No, I've always been a Food Lion/Kroger/Bi-Lo food shopper. It's convenient, it's cheap, and it's easy. Lately however, I've had second thoughts about this. There are a variety of reasons. I think one of the most prevalent is my overall dislike for how meats are raised and slaughtered. Every time I see a truck loaded down with chickens stuffed in crates, my stomach turns a little. I don't have a problem with eating meat ethically. I do have a problem with how it is raised - chickens in particular. In my ideal world, I would have a farm with chickens and cattle - so that I could raise my own eggs and meat (although I would send it elsewhere to be slaughtered). The husband is not so keen on the farm idea - mostly because of the care required and the numerous additional animals.

On another note, I don't have an actual ethical problem with using growth hormones in cattle, and I don't have a problem with pesticides. I'd just rather not have them in my food, if at all possible. The closest possible -SAFE- thing to natural is what I would like.

Another reason is my sudden affinity for dirt and growing vegetables. Now that I actually enjoy digging around and watching green things thrive, I want to support others that do too.

I also HATE the taste of store bought tomatoes.

It's something I've been pondering a great deal recently. On the way back from my annual exam yesterday, I passed a neat looking farm store, set back in big fields of tomatoes and squash and cucumbers, etc. Today, the husband and I went to check it out. It's a great place - replete with locally grown vegetables, locally made jams, fresh baked breads, and local meats.

The pictures are of our dinner tonight - all homemade, all locally produced goods. It was delicious.