Farms not Factories

I first became aware of the true nature of commercial food many years ago when I read John Robbins' book Diet for a New America.  In this book Robbins details how our food choices affect the environment, our health and the treatment of animals.  Immediately after reading the book I had a hard time making food choices.  The organic movement hadn't yet started, after some time I kind of gave up trying to eat cleaner as a lost cause.  For years after I would have a sense of guilt everytime I purchased beef from a big feed lot.  I was squeamish over buying caged chicken knowing that they were so pumped up on steroids that their legs were not able to hold them, that the chickens were raised in such filthy conditions they needed constant antibiotics.

Thankfully it has become easier to make food choices with a conscience.  I am lucky to live in an area with many farms and beautiful farmers markets.  Farmers markets bring the source of your food closer to you.  You can talk to the farmer and ask about their methods, you can shake the hand that raised your food.  Farmers markets often offer organic produce, grass fed beef, cage free chicken and chicken eggs.  There is less loss of nutrients because often the produce is picked the same day or the day before you purchase it.  Once you eat a free range chicken egg and see the brilliant orange yolk you will never want another supermarket egg again. 

There are many resources available to find a farmers market in your area.  You can go to www.localharvest.org or www.ams.usda.gov/farmersmarkets. to find a market near you.  Many growers offer CSA, or community sustained argriculture.  When you sign up for a CSA you are underwriting the farm and receiving a share of the product as a result.  Eat local, eat in season, eat with a conscience...