I'm pretty pleased. My work schedule, for the first time in a long time, has become "normal", as in I have my weekends free. Caputo's hosts a locavore market during the winters (I think it runs until March) wherein local farmers bring their wares downtown, and we shop gleefully. :-)
Since my schedule just shifted to "normal", albeit temporarily, my first order of business was to attend the locavore market.
As an aside I have to say that I am really suspicious of any supermarket meat - even Sunflower, much as I love them - because they just can't seem to tell me where their meat comes from. I've seen way too many documentaries about how places like Perdue, and other no-name brands pump their birds so full of god-knows-what that their legs cannot support their bodies and they collapse under their own weight, eventually either eating their own shit and being laden with bacteria and antibiotics, or their waste and bugs and decomposing bodies being eaten later on by cows which meat is *also* commonly sold in most every 24 hour supermarket, and then washed with Ammonia to prevent eColi or Salmonella. No joke. Ugh. A long time of eating disorders has made me uber-controlling about what goes into my mouth. But then, regardless of eating disorders, why would you want to eat meat treated with ammonia? Or from an animal who eats its or other animal's waste?
Since my father in law passed away this fall my husband and I have talked alot about where we would like to land, geographically. He inherited a sizeable gun collection, and we've often talked about the practicality of hunting, and living in a place where this is an option. We're both huge animal rights peeps, and my husband has often said that, although he would love to hunt for our food, he's not sure how he would feel about killing an animal.
There are a few points I would like to make.
First, where my parents live in upstate NY, there is a huge hunting community. Someone pointed out to my mom that a big reason they hunt has to do with humanity (I'm sure you are all wondering how that works out) and the point made to my mom was that the herd needs to be thinned. If we did not hunt, many of the herd would die of starvation. How is it humane to let an animal die of starvation? Let it serve a purpose!
Secondly, I've been reading Glen Beck's book "Broke" (please don't judge me... he makes some great points). One of the points he makes that has resonated the most with me is how in "olden days", which is to say 100+ years ago in this country, for those of us whose ancestors have been here that long, there were no food stamps or welfare. We came together as a community to take care of one another, supporting those who were in need while we were caring for ourselves.
I feel like this second point is a lesson that I really need to focus on this year. I have found this message repeated to me in at least three different manners so far this year, and we are only going into our third week of the year (the first being from "Broke", the second being from "Lark Rise to Candleford", and the third being from my charcuterie project, in terms or learning how to use every part of every animal).
Back to the locavore market...
So this morning we went to the locavore market, and there was local poultry farmer. I was so excited about their product! They had duck! And they were just so friendly and so accomodating! In true Nicole fashion, when we got home I jumped online to see what more I could learn about this farm. I found this compelling article from the SL Tribune about their story. Honestly, I wish I had known they were going to be there... I would have waited to buy my duck breasts for my charcutepalooza makeup assignment. My hubby and I were both so excited that they had duck. Both of us are native East Coasters, and grew up eating duck relatively frequently. The only time we can ever get duck here in the Mountain West is when the local supermarkets get it from Canada, frozen, and pumped with God-knows-what. The farmer, Nels, was so excited that WE were so excited about duck! Whatever we wanted he would be able to provide... duck breasts, thighs and legs for confit, whole birds, chickens... special orders even! Fresh! When I looked at his profile on Slow Food Utah we found out that he also sells Rabbit and Pheasant, in addition to his chicken, turkey, and duck... YUM!!!
After I read the article on SL Tribune, I was reminded of why it is important to support each other. Our governmental forefathers did not intend to have extensive involvement in our lives. They believed in limited government, and set up the Constitution to reflect that. Welfare, Food Stamps... these are expensive and new govenment programs, none of which are altruistic. Wouldn't it just be better if we got back to our basics of learning how to support not only ourselves - but also those around us? I suppose I mean to say that, yes - buying from a local farmer is a little more expensive than buying from Smith's or Harmon's or - God Forbid - Walmart... but you know that you are not only supporting another person just like yourself trying to make ends meet, and getting amazing quality at the same time. When I began roasting our duck tonight, I smelled everything that duck was. The apartment was filled with aromas of fresh fields and grass and every good thing that it was fed. Not only can you smell it, but you can taste it in every bite. You can't get that anywhere else.
Segue... my husband and I were talking on the way home from the locavore market about hunting again. I said to him that it is a big decision to either hunt or buy local. By buying local we are taking our lives out of the hands of places like Con Agra, Perdue, and other nefarious major meat producers, and taking control. I said, wouldn't you rather know, as an animal rights person, that the animal you are eating led a happy life and was treated humanely? Or would you rather eat an animal that was just another dollar sign and did not lead a happy life, packed like sardines into a pen where their bodies, in an effort to increase revenue, were pumped full of crappy things? Does the dollar or two that you save buying that shit (and it really is shit) really make that much difference in your day-to-day life? Research has already proven that additives in your meat really do create health issues. Doesn't it feel good to know that, in sustaining yourself you are also helping to sustain another?
That is why you should buy local.
To contact Nels Anderson and family (and please do if you are local - his poultry is amazing):
Heritage Valley Poultry
12025 North 10800 West
Tremonton, Utah 84337
(435)770-2365
mbanca@nebonet.com
They are going to be at the locavore market again on Feb 5th, and they will take special orders. They also do CSA shares (full and half). Please support your local farmers, wherever you are.
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