We all make resolutions in one form or another (with apologies to those who accuse me of making sweeping generalizations). This year one of my resolutions was to endeavor to buy my food locally or to grow more for my own consumption. I increased the size of my garden last year. The result was a really mixed bag as the tomatoes did not do as well as previous years, the cucumbers did better, the squash died before producing like it always does, and I grew sweet potatoes for the first time. The sweetest success (pun intended) was the potatoes. We ended up with about 30 pounds from 8 plants. That was accomplished without fertilization of any kind and in the old soil from the last four years where the tomatoes were previously. I am planning to add another raised planter this year. The type of vegetable and its or their distribution are still up to debate and decision.
Over the holidays, I began to look at the concept of buying local produce. Kathy had originally heard about the concept at her garden club. I went to their website and enrolled so that I could receive a list of the products available. Of course, at this time of year, the availability of fresh vegetables is really limited. I was surprised by the cost of the items that were listed. For example, the cost of “organic ” eggs was more than double the cost of the eggs I bought at the grocery store. When that cost is combined with the membership fee ($25), the necessity of computer ownership and Internet access, the cost per egg is prohibitive, unless you consciously decide that you want to pay more for these products. I have been told that this cost is just one more cost that you have to pay to support the ”small farm” movement (if that interests you) and protect the environment. These sites and others involved in environmental chic are not concerned with those who are on a budget.
