national farmer’s market week

michele — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 06:31:26 +0000

Here in the U.S.A. we are right in the middle of the National Farmer’s Market Week. This August 2 – 8, 2009 marks the 10th annual celebration of the more than 4,800 farmer’s markets here in the United States. More than 94% of all farms are what the U.S. government refers to as Small Farm Operators (those with receipts of less $250,000 years and are operator owned and managed). In addition to supplementing the income of farmers, farmer’s market provide a much needed community service to those who many not have fresh fruits or vegetables readily available in their area. Special programs for seniors and WIC (Women, Infants and Children) are also available at many of the markets.

Three of my favorite farmer’s markets are the at the Ferry Building in San Francisco, the Lake Merritt market in Oakland and the Downtown Berkeley market. So many tasty treats! For a list of local food sources go here. If you would like to add a farmer’s market to your area, go to Growing for Market for advice and resources. For management resources and seller locations go to Manage My Market. To find out more:

Farmer’s Market Hotline: 1-800-384-8704
Farmer’s Market Coalition: http://www.farmersmarketcoalition.org
American Farmland Trust: http://www.farmland.org/
Center for Urban Education and Sustainable Agriculture: http://www.cuesa.org/
The Inadvertent Gardener’s blog: http://www.theinadvertentgardener.com/
Food Routes: http://www.foodroutes.org/
U.S. Dept. of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service: http://www.ams.usda.gov/WholesaleFarmersMarkets

sustainable eating with mark bittman

michele — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 00:44:31 +0000

Many of you are familiar with food writer, Mark Bittman. Perhaps you even have his well-known book, How to Cook Everything Vegetarian. In Bittman’s own words “I’m not a vegetarian…but I am a less-meat-tarian. Those who are vegetarian, you get a free pass.” He discusses the correlation between what we eat, health and in particular the effects on the environment. Certainly this is familiar territory among the veg(etari)an community. The focus is on getting the mainstream society i.e. meat eaters to well eat less meat.

So what is Bittman’s philosophy regarding diet? A self-proclaimed “incrementalist”, he’s vegan until 6pm; after 6 anything goes. An “incrementalist” is one who believes in gradual change. It’s moderate and therefore more effective. There is a 90/10 paradigm in the food world that is 90% meat and carbs and 10% vegetables. The goal is to reduce this to 80% meat and carbs and 20% vegetables with a 10% decrease in meat consumption.

Why is all of this on a veg(etari)an blog? Because explaining why a veg(etari)an lifestyle (or a move towards one. For more on this…. see this interview:

Here are some vegetarian recipes from Mark Bittman. You can also find additional recipes on his site.

les violettes » local

national farmer’s market week

sustainable eating with mark bittman