May 31, 2007

the cheesiest

If an eat-local challenge was ever issued to me, I would fail it on
day one, most likely. With all my heart, mind and soul, I desire to
support our local farmers, go to green markets, get to know each and
every farmer, ferret out their produce – the organic, the local, the
heritage and heirloom, unwaxed, unpolished, with its brown spots and
irregularities. I want bumps on my cucumbers and little growth marks
on my tomatoes. I don't need it to be prettily wrapped up or
pre-cleaned. And if I worked fewer hours than I do, which is a healthy
60 hour a week regiment, I would probably embrace eating locally 100%.
But with trying fit working out into my lifestyle, having to pay
bills, run errands, do laundry and other household chores, cook, eat,
clean up, write, photograph and blog, eating locally presents a bit of
a challenge. If I had a butler or a personal assistant, I could, of
course send them out to Union Square every few days to forage for the
in-season, fresh, and lovingly prepared. There is, of course, an
inevitable conclusion, that if I had the money to have a butler or a
personal assistant, I would not have to work and could make such
lovely field trips myself.

But sadly, I have yet to uncover my own trust fund. And I'm beginning
to believe my parents when they tell me I haven't got one.

However, I try. I really try to find local produce, local vendors,
family owned ma-and-pa shops and I make every effort I can to give
them my business. Take the Albanese meat shop in Nolita, that I
stumbled upon last Friday, the very one featured in the Robert
DeNiro's Amex commercial – my friend and I walked in to check the
place out, and what we got was a personal tour and a story behind
every picture on the walls – and there were many pictures, believe me.
I bought some soppresata and some hot sausage for KS and will most
definitely be back for more!

And last Saturday, after brunch, walking down Greenwich Street, we
found a green market right in our own neighborhood. Was it new? Was it
only in the summer month? Apparently, the green market takes place
every Saturday rain or shine, snow or sleet, and we have been living
in a bubble. While small, the market offers some delectable treats –
brightly colored rhubarb, which will definitely become a part of some
dessert come this weekend; fresh locally caught seafood at prices and
freshness that shame most stores; and cheese. Glorious cheese from
Vermont's Consider Bardwell Farms (okay, so not super local, but
still) from a small farm that lets their cows graze in the open
pasture, wonder about the field and lead happy, content cow lives. And
as we all know, happy cows, do indeed make happy cheese. We bought a
piece of their Dorset, a cow's milk cheese. I had to be disciplined
and get only one kind, promising myself to come back to try the goat's
milk cheese and the butter.

And since this is practically outside our building, AND takes place on
Saturdays, it would be a crying shame not to support the local and
small farmers who so lovingly create and bring their goods to us.

I suppose it's trying to improve upon practices, and
every-little-bit-helps thinking that Eat Local challenge is all about.
Slowly, steadily, as I grow into a more conscious food consumer, I
make more and more effort to consume with thoughtfulness. Especially if it comes from happy cows.