What are your sources for...

[Shirelle]

Things like grass fed beef, chicken, other lean meats? Also, what is your raw milk source? Organic produce? I know there are many ways to come about getting these things, and I'm just curious how everyone gets theirs. Do you have to drive long distances? Have it shipped?

[kallyn]

www.eatwild.com - meat
www.realmilk.com - dairy
www.localharvest.org - produce, but everything really

And I'm pretty sure there's another good one, but I can't think of it. It's right on the tip of my brain, I swear...it lists farms, co-ops, farmer's markets, stores, etc...

ETA: I remembered it! www.eatwellguide.org

[guestmama9916]

We choose to drive to get our raw milk. Shipping is too expensive. As of last night, I think I've started the first raw milk co-op in my area so I'll have some help. : Yahoo forums have been a great resource for me to find local or at least nearby sources of raw dairy and grass-fed meats, eggs, etc.

Kim

[newcastlemama]

RAW DAIRY-Organic Pastures (here in CA) from HFS about 20 minutes away.
MEAT-Grassfed/local from meatmarket (Across the street from HFS!)
PRODUCE-Try and hit the local farmers markets as much as possible.

Jennifer

[twins10705]

If you have Trader Joe's around where you live -- they sell free range whole chickens for a good price...though their grass fed beef is mainly boneless cuts and rather expensive. We eat mostly chicken...sometimes we get some lamb...that I am hoping is partially pastured because it's lamb...but I don't know. We usually just get the neck bones to flavor rice or soup.

Dairy -- local farms...$8 for raw cowmilk they are selling in some health food stores around here...and I can sometimes get raw goat milk from a local lady for $6.50 per gallon. I also get wonderful goat milk organic soaps and things from her. I usually buy pasteurized organic whole milk yogurt and cream and Kerrygold butter because I can't find these raw locally.

Eggs -- I was getting them from a local lady, wonderful unwashed eggs...but all her hens have gone broody so I am just buying freerange organic eggs at the health food store.

As far as produce, Sprouts has a small organic section that I usually pick through....the potatos and bananas are a staple if everything else is too expensive. I was getting organic beets there for kvass...but they have not had any for about three weeks sadly. Wholefoods is another option, but I rarely if ever go there anymore because we live so far away....ah well, you do the best with what you can find. I'm hoping to have a huge garden next year when we move into a new house...with milking goats and bantam chickens!

[frogguruami]

I am in a smal coop that get raw dairy from a local (well not to far away) farmer. We all take turns driving out and picking everything up and then meet at a centralized location to distribute everything.

I am still buy hormone free, grass fed beef and wild fish at the grocery store because that is the only place i can afford to get it. We eat very little meat and fish though, once a week maybe.

I get produce at the local produce market. There is one organic farmer (working on getting his certification) there and I start with him and then I hit the booth that I know are actually locally grown. If there is anything else on my list I decide what I am willing to purchase non local and non organic and then finish up with the other booths.

Grains I buy premilled at the local health food store and anything else that I can't get at Target.

I round out my shopping from Target.

[guestmama9916]

While we're on the topic of sources, does anyone else buy Maverick Ranch meat? I find it in the "Greenwise" section of my Publix grocery store. Its not as expensive as the meats I see in my HFS. I'm wondering if its as good. Does anyone know?

http://www.maverickranch.com/

Kim