NYC Mooo-sings: Local Farms and Dairy…
So, ok, I have to admit I might be reverting back to my hippy roots, right in the middle of NYC. It might be the only way to survive this city. How do you know you are turning into a hippy? Three things:
A weekly haul from Bed-Stuy Farm Share
1 ) I have “farm share envy”. I did not sign up for a CSA this year, since we were planning to spend the summer in CA which would be peak season, and I am sorely missing it! I am so jealous of my friend Mimi who lives in Brooklyn and is pulling in the best CSA haul I have every seen at Bed-Stuy Farm Share. Check it out. But not having a CSA has caused me to do some research on how to get local seasonal fresh veggies in the NYC area without committing to the whole season, and its cool, because I found a lot of new local delivery programs cropping up.
2 ) I like poop and feathers on my eggs. I really never thought I would say that, but its true. There is something totally satisfying about opening up a egg carton and seeing a dozen gorgeous eggs, slightly dirty, with the occasional feather stuck on, which I know were laid by truly happy range roaming chickens, who ran around in the sun, ate bugs, and did all those disgusting things that chickens are supposed to do.
3 ) I am going subversive with my milk. That’s right, we are talking unannounced deliveries, sometimes late at night, paid in cash, quick transaction. Yes, for… raw milk. The really super dramatic substance that caused police to raid an organic market in California last year with guns drawn… (thank god we have the government to protect us from ourselves). This is not just raw milk, either, its 4.6 percent organic raw milk from happily pastured cows… and it serves the glorious purpose of making me thoroughly enjoy my morning coffee without a twinge of guilt. I do believe that dairy should be used sparingly (no more than 5% of your dietary protein should come from animal sources and that a mostly vegan diet is best overall*) but, you know…a little really high quality butter, milk and eggs is good for the soul. And ONLY if it comes from happy animals. In the end, I am finding that in the maze of supermarket decision-making, knowing where my food comes from has started to hit the top of the list.
Green Aracuna Eggs!
Raw Sheep Milk Feta
If you are in the New York City area, here are some great resources for local farm fresh deliveries:
Udder Milk Creamery Co-op: Free to join – weekly deliveries of fresh organic, pasture-happy dairy and eggs.
Basis Good Food to You: for local farm share produce on a no-commitment weekly basis. Not quite as great as a real CSA box, but good if you can’t make the seasonal commitment and want seasonal local fruit and veggies.
And to find a CSA in your area, or organic farmers’ markets, festivals, family farms, and other sources of sustainably grown food anywhere in the US, make sure to check out Local Harvest. It’s a great resource site for locavore living wherever you are.
* For more about the animal protein thing, there is a fantastic new documentary out now called Forks Over Knives, which everyone should see! It’s based on T. Colin Campbell’s The China Study, one of my favorite books – full of jaw dropping research on the direct correlation between animal protein, to cancer, diabetes and heart disease. This book is a life changer, but its also a bit dense, so kudos to the guys who made it accessible to everyone in Fork Over Knives!
Conscious Food Choices 