Quite the asparagus dilemma :P

ArcticFox

I think it is funny how much I analyze this situation.. but what would you do?

The grocery store had huge bundles of asparagus.. I mean seriously way too much asparagus for 2-3 people to eat.  The asparagus pieces were really skinny, and I looked at the tag and it was from Peru.

So we have a local farm that has AMAZING asparagus, although I really don't think it is organic.  However, I would be driving there basically just for a bunch of asparagus (prob 1.5 miles away).

I already passed on the grocery store asparagus (just because it wasn't particularly fresh), but I was overthinking it.  Like shouldn't I support local farming, even if it's probably not organic?  Should I drive/use gas to get to the farm just for that small amount of local produce?

At least I'm thinking about the best thing for the earth!!  But I was all hung up on what to do, hehe

MrsBrownsFan

I would always choose local produce, even if I am not sure of their organic practices.  I have decided I would rather keep my money going to farmers here at home.

I go to two farms, although I am hoping to branch out.  The one uses organix practices but is not certified organic.  The other makes no claims either way.  However, they are both local, and I am happy to support them! 

Mrs.A&J

Have you asked about the local produce? I was at the farmers market last night and asked a farmer about some strawberries, she told me they don't use any sprays or anything on them, but they're not certified organic. No big deal to me, I don't care about the USDA getting involved as long as the farmer says it's pesticide free, I trust them. It's expensive for farmers to get organic certification, so even though they may be organically grown they can't say "organic" unless they've paid for inspection and certification.

 Also, does the asparagus farm go to your local farmers market? Rather than making a trip just for the asparagus you could get it there and do other shopping.

Alisha_A

I assume the Peruvian asparagus wasn't organic?

I'd go get the local asparagus, but I wouldn't be driving just for that. I pretty much plan all my shopping around the places I go to get local fresh foods. If I added 'regular' grocery stores back in, it definitely would be harder, I just don't have all that time!

SuperGreen

Mrs.A&J:

Have you asked about the local produce? I was at the farmers market last night and asked a farmer about some strawberries, she told me they don't use any sprays or anything on them, but they're not certified organic. No big deal to me, I don't care about the USDA getting involved as long as the farmer says it's pesticide free, I trust them. It's expensive for farmers to get organic certification, so even though they may be organically grown they can't say "organic" unless they've paid for inspection and certification.

 Also, does the asparagus farm go to your local farmers market? Rather than making a trip just for the asparagus you could get it there and do other shopping.

This.  We get all our produce, including asparagus, from the Farmer's Market.  The farms there aren't certified organic b/c it's an expensive and lengthy process.  Talk to them and see if they follow organic methods, almost all of the farms at my market do.   They can't used the word "organic" unless they have organic certification.

Also, "organic" is a USDA program.  Do you really think USDA inspectors are going to that farm in Peru?  And think of how much airplane and truck fuel it took to get those huge bunches of asparagus to you.  If you go to the local farm, you're putting money directly into the local economy and keeping a farmer in business, rather than a multi-national conglomerate in Peru.  That Peruvian asparagus is not from some cute small farm, it's much more likely it's a huuuugge industrial farm with hundreds of workers who probably aren't treated very well.  Support your local economy and drive the 3 mile trip to the farm.  Heck, ride your bike over there! 

ETA: Or go to the Farmer's Market and get all the fresh, local produce you want.  I'm sure they have asparagus.  You'll learn pretty quickly what the season for each type of produce is, the supermarket shelves have tricked us into thinking everything grows year-round when in actuality when you're buying asparagus (spring veggie) in October, it's because the asparagus is shipped from somewhere where it is spring.  Asparagus is available at my Farmer's Market from May to mid-june.  This week will probably be the last week   Eating in season makes each veggie special, something to look forward to.

CDMay2006

SuperGreen:

...
Also, "organic" is a USDA program.  Do you really think USDA inspectors are going to that farm in Peru?  And think of how much airplane and truck fuel it took to get those huge bunches of asparagus to you.

...

While guidelines are placed by the US gov't and it is common to see the green and white USDA-Organic label, there are non-government inspectors here (on national and more localized levels, such as http://tilth.org/) and internationally.   

kaesha

Hopefully I can get both together, but when that's not possible, I shop local first (and in season), organic second.