Thread: Farmers Markets, Organic Meat and Produce

Originally Posted by STC

Organic (spray free) is definately not just a feel good factor.

No, but its definitely also quite misleading and mostly just a conventional marketing buzzword these days. There are a million bad unhealthy practices that are still allowed under 'organic' rules.

Go find and speak to some small operators that grow and raise veges and animals with their own hands, and buy direct from them. Start looking for alternatives instead of just patronising the big non-transparent corporates (i.e. almost anything on the conventional supermarket shelves, including 'organic' stuff)
I no longer go to my local farmers market often, the vendors there tend to price their products with very wealthy people in mind. I found real food doesn't have to be quite that expensive if you look for the right people and buy direct. Its still more expensive though, and thats okay. For example, me and my friends buy 40L of real whole unpasteurized milk each week from a small local farmer (I know this is illegal), for $1.50/L. I bought a whole beef carcass from a local farmer the other day, got it processed by a small local butcher, and although its less convenient it was quite affordable in the big scheme of things, compared to buying retail cuts. (Way nicer meat too, shot in the field and hung for a couple weeks in the chiller)
It takes more effort to learn about your food and find local unmolested sources. But its pretty rewarding and you'll make friends with some very good people. I'm learning how to raise my own food, and thats even more rewarding again
I know many of the forum members are farmers and may scoff at my city-boy opinions