Compacting Mommas? - Page 9

[Mom2Wilmo]

I too am obsessivly organic. I am 99% sure that none of the farmer's are organic. I have been to the farms to pick veggies with my mom and they are NOT organic. There is one stall that is organic but not locally grown. And they don't have much of a selection. People just aren't as crunchy around here.

[Delight]

Originally Posted by Mom2Wilmo

I too am obsessivly organic. I am 99% sure that none of the farmer's are organic. I have been to the farms to pick veggies with my mom and they are NOT organic. There is one stall that is organic but not locally grown. And they don't have much of a selection. People just aren't as crunchy around here.

Then I would definitely go to Trader Joe's. Some may disagree, but for our family, eating no pesticides is more important than local. Isn't the Farmer's Market winding to a close for the season anyway?

[Mom2Wilmo]

Our farmer's market is year round. I think I am just going to go to TJ's. There are a lot of museums around there that we have memberships to so we go out that way more than the farmer's market anyway.

[kellid]

Well, I'm in too. I haven't made a pledge yet either, but I'm signed up on the yahoo, and will figure out how to navigate around it. My husband however I don't think will do it. He will a little, and a little more without his consent on the things I get used that we need before he buys them new. I don't know if I will blog, but I might, depends on how much time I can fenaggle. There are some things I will look for that I want, not need, but I have alot to get rid of, so......here we go,....weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!

ok, so i just went to yahoo. is there any way to just post what you have, where everyone can see it in list form or pics? it's hard to get around what's trading and what's intro and what's blogging. maybe i'm not doing it right?

[beanma]

i'm still lurking on this thread and not making a commitment. actually, i think i did decide to get christmas gifts at the farmer's mkt or craft mkt this year.

this is sorta neither here or there, but what do you do about things like scotch tape?

anyway, mom2wilmo, where are you in Va? i'm in chapel hill nc. i know some crunchy areas in va i bet you could find some organic local produce, but i don't know if they're around your neck of the woods. i would ask at the farmer's mkt how much they spray. sometimes it's not too much and often local farmers will not go through the organic certification process because it's expensive, but they'll still farm organically. i really think it's more important to buy locally if you can. you just sort of have to weigh it. the tranportation costs are huge in terms of global warming pollutants. i have a really hard time, though, feeding my kids conventional apples when i can get organic at the local coop even if the organic are from washington state.

sierra magazine had an interesting article awhile back that listed how much fossil fuel was burned to bring you the organic apples from new zealand, etc. i am not able to put my finger on an online version, but you might be interested in this -- http://www.sierraclub.org/sustainable_consumption/ and this -- http://www.truecostoffood.org/ .one more -- http://www.naturallygrown.org/farm-l...VA&country=227 .

to find local farmers mkts and CSAs (which RAWK) check out http://www.localharvest.org/ and http://www.thenewfarm.org/farmlocator/index.php

[MrsSurplus]

Originally Posted by Mom2Wilmo

I too am obsessivly organic. I am 99% sure that none of the farmer's are organic. I have been to the farms to pick veggies with my mom and they are NOT organic. There is one stall that is organic but not locally grown. And they don't have much of a selection. People just aren't as crunchy around here.

That is just too bad. It might be worth asking some anyway. I know we grow organic, but wouldn't put forth the money to get certified organic if we were to sell at the Farmer's Market (which we are considering). Good luck finding someplace organic - and I agree with Sara, your family's health (pesticide-free eating) is more important than locall grown.

[snowbunny]

RE: Local vs Organic

I know that there's a big debate raging on over which is best: local or organic. Personally, I think organic is better than local if you must choose between them. We're fortunate that our local farms are organic farms. One farm is certified organic, and the other farm is not certified. We spend enough time at the non-certified farm to know full-well that it's organic as organic comes! (The Farmer just doesn't want the USDA snoopin' around her farm )

[bendmom]

I am considering taking the plunge until Thanksgiving, and then evaluating for the rest of the year. Dh thinks it's great food wise not buying packaged foods, etc, but he doesn't do any of the cooking. I do have some concerns about organic. One, we cannot afford all organic, all the time. Two, I went and talked to the owner of a small local natural food store about where they get their produce from, what the heck is up with organic produce, etc. She said that she really hates what the Gov. had done to organics. One of the stipulations in a farm being cert organic is that they can use raw sewage to water, and that is what happened with the e.coli outbrake. She traves to each farm they purchase from, and she said there is only two or three small farms in Cali that are acceptable to her, and one in Mexico, that's it. That concernes me if I am buying from Wild Oats, Whole Foods, even Fred Meyer. They purchase their organics from all over the world, 70% being from three major farms in Southern Cali where the other owner said she wouldn't purchase from. She also said that the big farms used to be non organic, so their soil is shot as well.It just seems to be a no win situation since I can't afford her organic tomatoes @ $5.99 a pound, and our farmers market ends in a week.

I already buy my clothes resale since we live in such a spendy little town. The boys clothes and snowboard equip as well unless we can't find anything even on Ebay.

The day after Thanksgiving my sil, mil and I are going to IKEA for some purchases I had already planned on making. Now that I'm thinking of doing this, these purchases no longer seem nessessary. Dang! I guess I am going to give some thought on how to write my compact then I will post it. I will also sign up for the yahoo group as I have a bunch of stuff to get rid off, but hate Goodwill and do not feel comfortable having strangers from Freecycle showing up at my house.

[Ravin]

The e coli outbreaks recently haven't been due to people using raw sewage to water their crops. It's been because of runoff from grain-fed cattle going into water supplies used to water crops; not the same thing.

That said, the Compact is really appealing to me. I've already been doing similar things mostly, and I'm seriously considering making a similar commitment. I'm going to go join the yahoo group, too!

[bendmom]

Originally Posted by Ravin

The e coli outbreaks recently haven't been due to people using raw sewage to water their crops. It's been because of runoff from grain-fed cattle going into water supplies used to water crops; not the same thing.

No, it's not. And I heard the same as you. But I think she may also have more info since she's in the business, at least that's what I'm thinking?

These is an artical in the August 2006 National Geographic called "A Deeper Shade of Green" That dives into this issue with food (eating local and in season) and consumer goods, and it's impact on the enviroment. It's about 3 pages ong or so and you can find it at your local library if you don't have a copy. I highly recomend it!

[chasmyn]

Originally Posted by kellid

Well, I'm in too. I haven't made a pledge yet either, but I'm signed up on the yahoo, and will figure out how to navigate around it. My husband however I don't think will do it. He will a little, and a little more without his consent on the things I get used that we need before he buys them new. I don't know if I will blog, but I might, depends on how much time I can fenaggle. There are some things I will look for that I want, not need, but I have alot to get rid of, so......here we go,....weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!

ok, so i just went to yahoo. is there any way to just post what you have, where everyone can see it in list form or pics? it's hard to get around what's trading and what's intro and what's blogging. maybe i'm not doing it right?

I'm not sure I understand this question. Do you mean where to post your 'for trade' list? You can just post whatever topic you like and make it a thread. HTH, although I'm not sure I'm answering your question. Photos are posted on the flickr group.

Originally Posted by beanma

i'm still lurking on this thread and not making a commitment. actually, i think i did decide to get christmas gifts at the farmer's mkt or craft mkt this year.

this is sorta neither here or there, but what do you do about things like scotch tape?

Do you mean buying it? I think since no one's likely to go nuts with it, it's a part of groceries. It's not like we're getting $50 worth of scotch tape.

Or do you mean sustainability-wise? Like the excess packaging, the tape dispenser? I know you can get refillable dispensers and just the rolls...

Originally Posted by bendmom

These is an artical in the August 2006 National Geographic called "A Deeper Shade of Green" That dives into this issue with food (eating local and in season) and consumer goods, and it's impact on the enviroment. It's about 3 pages ong or so and you can find it at your local library if you don't have a copy. I highly recomend it!

Sounds like a good article. Might I suggest that if one of us gets a copy that we either scan it and make into a .pdf for others to read, or offer copies?

[beanma]

here's the article bendmom was writing about -- http://www7.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0608/voices.html

i finally found the article sierra had -- http://www.sierraclub.org/sierra/200605/decoder.asp .looks like they revised it a little bit, but you can basically see that if produce has to travel by boat or plane its environmental impact in terms of fuel consumption is greater. pretty elementary, but nice to see spelled out. if you google +local +organic +food and +transportation you get lots of good hits. if folks are interested in doing the compact as a means of reducing not only their personal consumption, but our society's i think we all need to think about buying/acquiring locally. the used goods from ebay still have to come on the big UPS truck, y'know? i'm not ready to jump off that bridge so i'm not trying to preach to y'all, but just wanted to throw it out there as something to think about.

here are a few more links i found -- "The Produce Riddle Part 1: Organic VS Local" : http://www.treehugger.com/files/2005...roduce_rid.php

"Which is more important for environmental sustainability: buying locally-produced food or buying organic food?" : http://www.worldwatch.org/node/4409

"Food movement 'harms environment'" : http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4684693.stm

something to think about...

[Natalya]

the used goods from ebay still have to come on the big UPS truck, y'know? i'm not ready to jump off that bridge so i'm not trying to preach to y'all, but just wanted to throw it out there as something to think about.

Oh beanma! WHy'd you have to go there! I'm glad you did, I guess , it's good to think about, for sure. Just... I dunno... REALLY challenging.

[Aguazul]

A good book that touches on these issues (local vs. shipped in, hydroponic vs. imported from other areas, keeping money within our community vs. supporting farmers in developing nations, local & unorganic vs. imported & organic, etc) is The Way We Eat: Why Our Food Choices Matter by Peter Singer and Jim Mason. It gives much food for thought when it comes to the various ethical choices we make each and every time we purchase our food.

[beansricerevolt]

Thanks Natalya for showing me this thread

Im subbing

Now I have to go back and read this beast of a thread.

Yuppy! I have something to do tonight while dh is at work

[Aguazul]

Originally Posted by hip_mama

Thanks Natalya for showing me this thread

Im subbing

Now I have to go back and read this beast of a thread.

Yuppy! I have something to do tonight while dh is at work

Hi Hip Mama Great to have you here!

[beanma]

Originally Posted by Natalya

Oh beanma! WHy'd you have to go there! I'm glad you did, I guess , it's good to think about, for sure. Just... I dunno... REALLY challenging.

sorry...: just think too much i guess... a used item off ebay even with the UPS truck factored in would still be lots better than a new item that had to be manufactured, packaged, and then shipped -- way way way more fuel consumption there. i think if you can find the item you need locally (thrift, garage sales, freecycle, etc) that would be preferable, but buying used online really is better than buying new, doncha think ??

Aguazul, thanks for the book recommendation. i've been meaning to pick up michael pollan's new book, "omnivore's dilemma" and i saw from some of the reviews that this book is recommended reading first.

i hope nobody is too disheartened by my little rant and reflections : . i think you mamas are all doing an amazing thing and i'm sure you will get great satisfaction from it. congratulations for making the commitment to less.

[Ravin]

I've got a rough draft of my Compact pledge scribbled down in my notebook. I should have it by this weekend.

I went to the graduation fair for my university today and was dismayed by many of the expenses. $35 for a cap and gown! I know what's at the top of MY ISO list!!! I'm just going to buy the tassel new and find a secondhand cap and gown. Thousands of grads from ASU every semester, there's bound to be one findable on Craigslist, etc.!

I've got no use for a ring, and learned that I can get any number of announcements in increments of 5, so I'm going to make my list and buy only as many as I need, and not the fancy thank you notes, etc.

[bendmom]

Well, I have made it through the day so far without a purchase except for dinner items. i even went to nice resale furniture store and found a few things that I would have loved, where a great price, but I passed. I went to the ski swap we have tonight and walked around and looked and didn't buy, but I might go back later since I have been wanting a pair of cheap x-country skis so I have something to do while the boys are snowboarding. Since they would be used, and part of the proceeds go to scholorships for the nonprofit foundation that's putting it on(dh's work), I think it will be okay. I have some snowboard boots in the swap and dh has a bunch of his stuff in there, so I guess it could be considered a swap. I'm going to go back and reread my copy of "Affluenza" again. It always makes me depressed about the current state of America, but it helps me curb spending, that's for sure. How did everyone else do today?

[witch's mom]

Subbing. Not sure I'm ready to make the full-on commitment, but reading the thread and some of the blogs has inspired me. We don't buy a lot, but when we do, it's new. I'd like to change that, but I'm not sure how to start. We're in a very mainstream community where there is one very small used children's stuff store (that carries mostly baby and toddler stuff) and no thrift stores. The only place to donate stuff is a Goodwill dropoff, and the truck's usually too full to take any more donations. I'm not that familiar with eBay or craigslist or freecycle. Guess I ought to check those out. Mostly, though, I'm looking to unload old stuff that's just cluttering up our lives.