Archive for the ‘local’ Category
From The Tap
Yes, at TGFC we’re more than happy to drink water from the tap. It’s much cheaper, and in most Western nations, it’s perfectly fine and safe to drink. It’s got up to 1,000 times less bacteria in than bottled water, and is around 1,000 times less expensive too.
However,we digress.
Today, we’re talking about beer. If you like a glass or two of beer, then do yourself, and the environment, a favor, and ask for the tap.
Next time you’re in the supermarket, look in the beer aisle. Look at all that packaging! The beer is in those bottles and cans, which are in a cardboard box, or a tray wrapped in plastic.
Think about buying a keg instead, if they’re available. Of course not all beers are sold this way, particularly specialty beers and imports.
However, if you like good beer, see if you have somewhere like The Charleston Beer Exchange near you. They not only sell all those specialty bottles beers, often without much of the plastic wrap, and cardboard packaging, but they also sell beer on tap. Simply buy a glass jug, get it refilled with draft beer, and take it back for a refill when you’re done.
You’re helping the environment, and you’re arguably helping yourself, in two ways. You’re drinking craft beer, which is much more likely to have less dubious colorants and additives in it, than mass-produced megabrew stuff, and you’re getting to try different beers, and a quality product. Quite often too, as is the case at The Charleston beer Exchange, you’re helping the local economy again if you drink the beers from the local brewery, such as The Charleston Beer Exchange offers from the Coast Brewing Company.
They believe in utilizing alternative means to brew unique beer. They also believe in choice organic and local ingredients. From their biodiesel fired kettle to their energy efficient process, they forge hand crafted batches in their 7 bbl brewhouse.
Think about it next time you’re going to buy some beer! You’ll probably get to enjoy a brew that you didn’t even know that you liked!
Food Choices In A Recession
Organic food tends to be more expensive than non-organic. That’s a fact.
So, if you need to save money, should you quit eating organic produce?
Not if at all possible.
Unfortunately, the most highly processed food, is often the cheapest, and is also most often the least nutritious too. So, although, you might be shaving a few dollars from the grocery bill, if you’re feeding your family junk food, you’re not doing them any favors, and you’re really simply wasting your money.
Cut back a little on portion sizes. Most of us eat too much in any case.
If you really cannot get or afford organic produce then buy non organic local produce at least. The fresher the better. Explore road-side stalls, and farmers markets.
Remember too, that supporting local farms helps support your own local economy. Also learn what is in season, and try to buy produce that is in season at the time of purchase. It is often cheaper, and often tastes better, as it’s more likely to be naturally grown, and not forced in a hothouse.
Some examples os seasonal foods: June is the best time for onions; July thru October for tomatoes, and October for sweet potatoes.
Supermarket – NO, Farmers Market – YES
While many supermarkets are selling more and more fresh fruit and vegetables, and for many this is the only option, if you can, go to your local farmers market, or even some of the local roadside stalls.
They will have the freshest produce, much of which is locally harvested, often organically, and it’s quite often cheaper (and sometimes considerably cheaper) than the supermarket.
Remember too, that the farmers market will usually only have the produce that is in season right now locally – as it’s going to be at its best for taste and longevity once you get it home.
We have found that produce bought at the farmers market will stay fresh days longer than that bought at the supermarket, which is often the best part of two weeks old by the time you buy it in any case.
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