Guest guest Posted September 16, 2008 Report Share Posted September 16, 2008 Was wondering how vegetarians, with our dependence on legumes, largely harvested overseas, can also maintain a locovarian (people who buy food within 100 miles of their home) lifestyle? Would be curious to know everybody's thoughts on this. I did find an interesting factoid you all might enjoy also: " According to a study by engineers Christopher Weber and H. Scott Matthews of Carnegie Mellon University, of all the greenhouse gases emitted by the food industry, only 4% comes from transporting the food from producers to retailers. The study also concluded that adopting a vegetarian diet, even if the vegetarian food is transported over very long distances, does far more to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, than does eating a locally grown diet. " -Wikipedia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 16, 2008 Report Share Posted September 16, 2008 The last legumes I enjoyed were harvested from the garden - zero miles - and also, you can get rice from Texas, lots of different rices from California, legumes sometimes from the south US. Chickpeas are grown in northern California too. As you point out though, dried legumes travel well, so I do not mind imported sometimes. Veggies on the other hand, do not travel well. , " krauseschool " <staley wrote: > > Was wondering how vegetarians, with our dependence on legumes, largely > harvested overseas, can also maintain a locovarian (people who buy > food within 100 miles of their home) lifestyle? Would be curious to > know everybody's thoughts on this. I did find an interesting factoid > you all might enjoy also: > > " According to a study by engineers Christopher Weber and H. Scott > Matthews of Carnegie Mellon University, of all the greenhouse gases > emitted by the food industry, only 4% comes from transporting the food > from producers to retailers. The study also concluded that adopting a > vegetarian diet, even if the vegetarian food is transported over very > long distances, does far more to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, than > does eating a locally grown diet. " -Wikipedia > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 16, 2008 Report Share Posted September 16, 2008 I live in Alaska. It would be impossible to be locovarian here. There are some herbs that are winter hearty and will grow the next summer, but just about everything else that is sold commercially has to be trucked or flown in. Katie --- On Tue, 9/16/08, rosetalleo <rosetalleo wrote: rosetalleo <rosetalleo Re: Any locovarian vegetarians here? Tuesday, September 16, 2008, 8:42 AM The last legumes I enjoyed were harvested from the garden - zero miles - and also, you can get rice from Texas, lots of different rices from California, legumes sometimes from the south US. Chickpeas are grown in northern California too. As you point out though, dried legumes travel well, so I do not mind imported sometimes. Veggies on the other hand, do not travel well. , " krauseschool " <staley wrote: > > Was wondering how vegetarians, with our dependence on legumes, largely > harvested overseas, can also maintain a locovarian (people who buy > food within 100 miles of their home) lifestyle? Would be curious to > know everybody's thoughts on this. I did find an interesting factoid > you all might enjoy also: > > " According to a study by engineers Christopher Weber and H. Scott > Matthews of Carnegie Mellon University, of all the greenhouse gases > emitted by the food industry, only 4% comes from transporting the food > from producers to retailers. The study also concluded that adopting a > vegetarian diet, even if the vegetarian food is transported over very > long distances, does far more to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, than > does eating a locally grown diet. " -Wikipedia > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 16, 2008 Report Share Posted September 16, 2008 , " krauseschool " <staley wrote: > > Was wondering how vegetarians, with our dependence on legumes, largely > harvested overseas, can also maintain a locovarian (people who buy > food within 100 miles of their home) lifestyle? Would be curious to > know everybody's thoughts on this. I buy locally grown lentils, split peas, garbanzo beans, barley and wheat. Of course I live on the Palouse, a rich farming region in Eastern Washington/NWestern Idaho. If you buy USA lentils most likely they are from here. Deb in Idaho Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 16, 2008 Report Share Posted September 16, 2008 I just received my local food Coop newsletter*. http://www.northcoastco-op.com/ They are trying to figure out a way here in Northwestern California to utilize more agricultural land to grow food crops with the decline of cheap oil. I know that in the eastern part of the county, legumes grow very well. We can grow greens all year around on the coast. We have a fairly well developed organic farming system including orchards, dairy, heirloom tomatoes [better than chocolate :-)] which goes back to the 1970's when the hippies began changing things here. Kathleen Eureka [Humboldt County] CA *you can download it on their home page KP Was wondering how vegetarians, with our dependence on legumes, largely harvested overseas, can also maintain a locovarian (people who buy food within 100 miles of their home) lifestyle? Would be curious to know everybody's thoughts on this. I buy locally grown lentils, split peas, garbanzo beans, barley and wheat. Of course I live on the Palouse, a rich farming region in Eastern Washington/NWestern Idaho. If you buy USA lentils most likely they are from here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 16, 2008 Report Share Posted September 16, 2008 Honestly, I have been having a hard time figuring out how people eat local period. I live in Vermont, where we have a 2-3 month growing season, and even then it's touchy with all the rain and sometimes mild temps even in the summer. We've already had a few nights of frost here and it's barely September. My problem recently has been that when I buy things at the grocery store, they are moldy and gross within 2 days!! This is SOOOO frustrating, because fresh veggies and fruit cost so much, but we have recently committed ourselves to a healthier lifestyle and are trying to eat as natural as possible. Unfortunately, I also don't have the privilege of being able to go the grocery store every day. What gets me is that when I pick my own veggies from the garden, they can sit on my counter for a good month before even beginning to go bad!! The particular store I am referring to supposedly gets their veggies/fruits from local farmers when they're in season, so it's not shipping that's doing the foods in . . . Any suggestions? Susan ---- Kathleen Pelley 9/16/2008 1:56:19 PM Re: Any locovarian vegetarians here? I just received my local food Coop newsletter*. http://www.northcoastco-op.com/ They are trying to figure out a way here in Northwestern California to utilize more agricultural land to grow food crops with the decline of cheap oil. I know that in the eastern part of the county, legumes grow very well. We can grow greens all year around on the coast. We have a fairly well developed organic farming system including orchards, dairy, heirloom tomatoes [better than chocolate :-)] which goes back to the 1970's when the hippies began changing things here. Kathleen Eureka [Humboldt County] CA *you can download it on their home page KP Was wondering how vegetarians, with our dependence on legumes, largely harvested overseas, can also maintain a locovarian (people who buy food within 100 miles of their home) lifestyle? Would be curious to know everybody's thoughts on this. I buy locally grown lentils, split peas, garbanzo beans, barley and wheat. Of course I live on the Palouse, a rich farming region in Eastern Washington/NWestern Idaho. If you buy USA lentils most likely they are from here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 16, 2008 Report Share Posted September 16, 2008 First of all, thanks for all your responses! I really appreciate all the suggestions and information. Also, looks like Canada is a huge exporter/producer of lentils. I had no idea. Susan, I'd suggest finding a CSA (community supported agriculture) in your area. I live in Illinois where it does become difficult to to eat locally in the winter months. But, I love eating locally beginning in late spring, usually all the way through September (I live in Illinois.) We are also lucky enough to have a small, family owned grocery nearby. They seem to do a good job buying locally, at least with coffee, cheese and a few other things. A root cellar, or another dark, cool place in your home is another great way to eat locally through the winter. Hope this helps! Staley , Susan <christababysmommy wrote: > > Honestly, I have been having a hard time figuring out how people eat local > period. I live in Vermont, where we have a 2-3 month growing season, and > even then it's touchy with all the rain and sometimes mild temps even in the > summer. We've already had a few nights of frost here and it's barely > September. > > My problem recently has been that when I buy things at the grocery store, > they are moldy and gross within 2 days!! This is SOOOO frustrating, because > fresh veggies and fruit cost so much, but we have recently committed > ourselves to a healthier lifestyle and are trying to eat as natural as > possible. Unfortunately, I also don't have the privilege of being able to > go the grocery store every day. > > What gets me is that when I pick my own veggies from the garden, they can > sit on my counter for a good month before even beginning to go bad!! The > particular store I am referring to supposedly gets their veggies/fruits from > local farmers when they're in season, so it's not shipping that's doing the > foods in . . . Any suggestions? > > Susan > > ---- > > Kathleen Pelley > 9/16/2008 1:56:19 PM > > Re: Any locovarian vegetarians here? > > I just received my local food Coop newsletter*. > > http://www.northcoastco-op.com/ > > They are trying to figure out a way here in Northwestern California > to utilize more agricultural land to grow food crops with the decline > of cheap oil. I know that in the eastern part of the county, legumes > grow very well. We can grow greens all year around on the coast. We > have a fairly well developed organic farming system including > orchards, dairy, heirloom tomatoes [better than chocolate :-)] which > goes back to the 1970's when the hippies began changing things here. > > Kathleen > Eureka [Humboldt County] CA > > *you can download it on their home page > > KP > > Was wondering how vegetarians, with our dependence on legumes, largely > harvested overseas, can also maintain a locovarian (people who buy > food within 100 miles of their home) lifestyle? Would be curious to > know everybody's thoughts on this. I buy locally grown lentils, split > peas, garbanzo beans, barley and wheat. Of course I live on the > Palouse, a rich farming region in Eastern Washington/NWestern Idaho. > If you buy USA lentils most likely they are from here. > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 17, 2008 Report Share Posted September 17, 2008 I am sorry you are having such a tough time getting good healthy food. All of this about the short growing season reminds me that indigenous cultures & early settlers in the northern areas of our earth did a lot of canning, drying, and putting away food in root cellars during the short summers or ate a lot of meat and fish. When most commercially grown vegetables and fruits are harvested, they are immediately cooled down. That is why they keep quite well. However, your local produce, unless the producers are set up for it, are quite different so they won't keep as well. Sounds like the grocery store also may not have the expertise or equipment to deal with them. Recently, I just bought some peaches from a local producer. They were not quite ripe so I left them out in fruit bowl in the [68 degree] kitchen. A day or two later, I looked at them, and put them in the refrigerator. They were deteriorating pretty fast. Right now, I am harvesting apples from my back yard trees, and they start deteriorating within a few days unless they are refrigerated. With the apples, they are already getting soft and attracting some of my less than favorite in-house critters like ants and fruit-flies. Since, I am fighting lyme disease, I do not have the energy to can or dry them so I will refrigerate the nicest apples enough to last through about January and put the rest on the compost pile to help the trees the next growing season. Kathleen Eureka CA My problem recently has been that when I buy things at the grocery store, they are moldy and gross within 2 days!! This is SOOOO frustrating, because fresh veggies and fruit cost so much, but we have recently committed ourselves to a healthier lifestyle and are trying to eat as natural as possible. Unfortunately, I also don't have the privilege of being able to go the grocery store every day. What gets me is that when I pick my own veggies from the garden, they can sit on my counter for a good month before even beginning to go bad!! The particular store I am referring to supposedly gets their veggies/fruits from local farmers when they're in season, so it's not shipping that's doing the foods in Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 17, 2008 Report Share Posted September 17, 2008 Do you consider growing your own sprouts eating locally or is it based on the origin of the seeds? Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile " krauseschool " <staley Wed, 17 Sep 2008 03:10:07 Re: Any locovarian vegetarians here? First of all, thanks for all your responses! I really appreciate all the suggestions and information. Also, looks like Canada is a huge exporter/producer of lentils. I had no idea. Susan, I'd suggest finding a CSA (community supported agriculture) in your area. I live in Illinois where it does become difficult to to eat locally in the winter months. But, I love eating locally beginning in late spring, usually all the way through September (I live in Illinois.) We are also lucky enough to have a small, family owned grocery nearby. They seem to do a good job buying locally, at least with coffee, cheese and a few other things. A root cellar, or another dark, cool place in your home is another great way to eat locally through the winter. Hope this helps! Staley , Susan <christababysmommy wrote: > > Honestly, I have been having a hard time figuring out how people eat local > period. I live in Vermont, where we have a 2-3 month growing season, and > even then it's touchy with all the rain and sometimes mild temps even in the > summer. We've already had a few nights of frost here and it's barely > September. > > My problem recently has been that when I buy things at the grocery store, > they are moldy and gross within 2 days!! This is SOOOO frustrating, because > fresh veggies and fruit cost so much, but we have recently committed > ourselves to a healthier lifestyle and are trying to eat as natural as > possible. Unfortunately, I also don't have the privilege of being able to > go the grocery store every day. > > What gets me is that when I pick my own veggies from the garden, they can > sit on my counter for a good month before even beginning to go bad!! The > particular store I am referring to supposedly gets their veggies/fruits from > local farmers when they're in season, so it's not shipping that's doing the > foods in . . . Any suggestions? > > Susan > > ---- > > Kathleen Pelley > 9/16/2008 1:56:19 PM > > Re: Any locovarian vegetarians here? > > I just received my local food Coop newsletter*. > > http://www.northcoastco-op.com/ > > They are trying to figure out a way here in Northwestern California > to utilize more agricultural land to grow food crops with the decline > of cheap oil. I know that in the eastern part of the county, legumes > grow very well. We can grow greens all year around on the coast. We > have a fairly well developed organic farming system including > orchards, dairy, heirloom tomatoes [better than chocolate :-)] which > goes back to the 1970's when the hippies began changing things here. > > Kathleen > Eureka [Humboldt County] CA > > *you can download it on their home page > > KP > > Was wondering how vegetarians, with our dependence on legumes, largely > harvested overseas, can also maintain a locovarian (people who buy > food within 100 miles of their home) lifestyle? Would be curious to > know everybody's thoughts on this. I buy locally grown lentils, split > peas, garbanzo beans, barley and wheat. Of course I live on the > Palouse, a rich farming region in Eastern Washington/NWestern Idaho. > If you buy USA lentils most likely they are from here. > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 17, 2008 Report Share Posted September 17, 2008 Sounds local enough to me. I do the same thing. I can't always find local organic fruits and vegetables that look fit to eat so I do the best I can. I thoroughly wash my fruits and veggies and peel them. Taste pretty good to me. Dojay , mrs.fabulous wrote: > > Do you consider growing your own sprouts eating locally or is it based on the origin of the seeds? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 17, 2008 Report Share Posted September 17, 2008 I budget and don't always have time to look for local organic. I buy what's on sale and it works for me. Jeff , " Lavendrer Dojay " <lavender_dojay wrote: > > Sounds local enough to me. I do the same thing. > I can't always find local organic fruits and vegetables that look fit > to eat so I do the best I can. I thoroughly wash my fruits and veggies > and peel them. Taste pretty good to me. > > Dojay > > , mrs.fabulous@ wrote: > > > > Do you consider growing your own sprouts eating locally or is it > based on the origin of the seeds? > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 17, 2008 Report Share Posted September 17, 2008 We have been really fortunate in finding a local man who grows a wide variety of organic fruits and vegetables. And his prices are amazingly low. He also tends to throw in a lot for free. I've canned some of his peaches this year. He grows everything from a wide selection of herbs, garlic, the purple potatoes, shitaki mushrooms, and even castor plants and bamboo. We have also been working on growing more and more ourselves, hoping to have a green house by next spring. He has been an inspiration to us. He doesn't really grow to sell, (he's retired and this hobby of his has just grown and grown) but has such an abundance. His main goal is to spread the word about growing organically. He's really an anomaly in our area, a small town where hot dogs and hamburgers and pizzas being the only restaurant fare. Only a few years ago when I really started trying to eat organically I stopped at a roadside vegetable/fruit stand. I picked up a cantaloupe and asked it if was organic. He seriously thought I was stupid, and said " No, dear, that's a cantaloupe. " Jerri Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 17, 2008 Report Share Posted September 17, 2008 I am sorry. I accidentally sent my message off before I composed it. This man sounds like a dream. He truly loves mother earth and what she gives us. Where do you live? I have been willing to pay extra for organic just so I can support this fledgling organic industry even though it has been in my area since the early 1980's, originally sponsored by our local food coop. Kathleen Eureka CA We have been really fortunate in finding a local man who grows a wide variety of organic fruits and vegetables. And his prices are amazingly low. He also tends to throw in a lot for free. I've canned some of his peaches this year. He grows everything from a wide selection of herbs, garlic, the purple potatoes, shitaki mushrooms, and even castor plants and bamboo. We have also been working on growing more and more ourselves, hoping to have a green house by next spring. He has been an inspiration to us. He doesn't really grow to sell, (he's retired and this hobby of his has just grown and grown) but has such an abundance. His main goal is to spread the word about growing organically. He's really an anomaly in our area, a small town where hot dogs and hamburgers and pizzas being the only restaurant fare. Only a few years ago when I really started trying to eat organically I stopped at a roadside vegetable/fruit stand. I picked up a cantaloupe and asked it if was organic. He seriously thought I was stupid, and said " No, dear, that's a cantaloupe. " Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 17, 2008 Report Share Posted September 17, 2008 Susan, maybe one solution for you and your family would be a greenhouse? if there is community supported agriculture (CSA) movement in your area this might work too? good luck to you. , Susan <christababysmommy wrote: > > Honestly, I have been having a hard time figuring out how people eat local > period. I live in Vermont, where we have a 2-3 month growing season, and > even then it's touchy with all the rain and sometimes mild temps even in the > summer. We've already had a few nights of frost here and it's barely > September. > > My problem recently has been that when I buy things at the grocery store, > they are moldy and gross within 2 days!! This is SOOOO frustrating, because > fresh veggies and fruit cost so much, but we have recently committed > ourselves to a healthier lifestyle and are trying to eat as natural as > possible. Unfortunately, I also don't have the privilege of being able to > go the grocery store every day. > > What gets me is that when I pick my own veggies from the garden, they can > sit on my counter for a good month before even beginning to go bad!! The > particular store I am referring to supposedly gets their veggies/fruits from > local farmers when they're in season, so it's not shipping that's doing the > foods in . . . Any suggestions? > > Susan > > ---- > > Kathleen Pelley > 9/16/2008 1:56:19 PM > > Re: Any locovarian vegetarians here? > > I just received my local food Coop newsletter*. > > http://www.northcoastco-op.com/ > > They are trying to figure out a way here in Northwestern California > to utilize more agricultural land to grow food crops with the decline > of cheap oil. I know that in the eastern part of the county, legumes > grow very well. We can grow greens all year around on the coast. We > have a fairly well developed organic farming system including > orchards, dairy, heirloom tomatoes [better than chocolate :-)] which > goes back to the 1970's when the hippies began changing things here. > > Kathleen > Eureka [Humboldt County] CA > > *you can download it on their home page > > KP > > Was wondering how vegetarians, with our dependence on legumes, largely > harvested overseas, can also maintain a locovarian (people who buy > food within 100 miles of their home) lifestyle? Would be curious to > know everybody's thoughts on this. I buy locally grown lentils, split > peas, garbanzo beans, barley and wheat. Of course I live on the > Palouse, a rich farming region in Eastern Washington/NWestern Idaho. > If you buy USA lentils most likely they are from here. > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 18, 2008 Report Share Posted September 18, 2008 I live in eastern KY, tobacco land. So, him doing what he is doing is rare indeed. My husband works in WV and I was there yesterday shopping at a great place called Healthy Life Market. It's a part of a huge drug store. This section though is greatly expanding. This part carries a great selection of organic I guess what you would call dry goods mostly - anything from vitamins to flours, coffees, teas, hair coloring, beauty products, rices, etc. all that is natural or organic. They do have a whole aisle of cooler foods - some frozen. I got vegan earth shoes in there the other day. I support them quite a bit because I think this kind of thing is great. After I was there I went to Wal-Mart to get a few other items. I'm really not big on Wal-Mart at all, but I was tired, and it was convenient. But perhaps it was meant to be. While in there this woman wearing a UPS uniform maybe in her 20's with her teenage sister came up to me and asked me to help them pick out a cantaloupe. It was strange, like they must have been living off of chips and soft drinks and wanted to do something healthy but didn't have a clue. So, I helped them to the best of my ability, and told them about the numbers on fruit. I told them how the ones beginning with 4's were conventional, and I " m getting the numbers confused now without looking on them; but said it's better to get organic, although they are usually more expensive. They didn't seem to know what these terms meant. I tried to tell them, and basically said stay away from the GM's. Maybe they picked me because I had what appeared healthy in my cart, I don't know. Jerri Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 19, 2008 Report Share Posted September 19, 2008 i have found out that more frequently than i would like to believe the statement of " local produce " does not hold true at all. it happens by us all the time... gloria --- On Tue, 9/16/08, Susan <christababysmommy wrote: Susan <christababysmommy Re: Re: Any locovarian vegetarians here? Tuesday, September 16, 2008, 9:28 PM Honestly, I have been having a hard time figuring out how people eat local period. I live in Vermont, where we have a 2-3 month growing season, and even then it's touchy with all the rain and sometimes mild temps even in the summer. We've already had a few nights of frost here and it's barely September. My problem recently has been that when I buy things at the grocery store, they are moldy and gross within 2 days!! This is SOOOO frustrating, because fresh veggies and fruit cost so much, but we have recently committed ourselves to a healthier lifestyle and are trying to eat as natural as possible. Unfortunately, I also don't have the privilege of being able to go the grocery store every day. What gets me is that when I pick my own veggies from the garden, they can sit on my counter for a good month before even beginning to go bad!! The particular store I am referring to supposedly gets their veggies/fruits from local farmers when they're in season, so it's not shipping that's doing the foods in . . . Any suggestions? Susan ---- Kathleen Pelley 9/16/2008 1:56:19 PM Re: Any locovarian vegetarians here? I just received my local food Coop newsletter*. http://www.northcoastco-op.com/ They are trying to figure out a way here in Northwestern California to utilize more agricultural land to grow food crops with the decline of cheap oil. I know that in the eastern part of the county, legumes grow very well. We can grow greens all year around on the coast. We have a fairly well developed organic farming system including orchards, dairy, heirloom tomatoes [better than chocolate :-)] which goes back to the 1970's when the hippies began changing things here. Kathleen Eureka [Humboldt County] CA *you can download it on their home page KP Was wondering how vegetarians, with our dependence on legumes, largely harvested overseas, can also maintain a locovarian (people who buy food within 100 miles of their home) lifestyle? Would be curious to know everybody's thoughts on this. I buy locally grown lentils, split peas, garbanzo beans, barley and wheat. Of course I live on the Palouse, a rich farming region in Eastern Washington/NWestern Idaho. If you buy USA lentils most likely they are from here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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