The hidden cost of homegrown food
Is locally grown food always safer than its commercial counterpart?
Originally published 12:00 p.m., July 3, 2008
Updated 08:28 p.m., July 4, 2008
It takes gas to move produce from commercial growers to your local grocery store. With gas prices soaring, so are food costs at checkout. This is why many people are either turning to their local farmer's garden, or putting in one of their own.
While locally-grown yields sound both economical and logical, food-safety experts caution that local production may be devoid of standard protocols that commercial growers follow to ensure safety.
1) Compost:
Compost, rich with bacterial microbes, is very important to incorporate in the soil of a garden. However beneficial, these microbes are potentially lethal if they get on the skin of fruits and vegetables, and then consumed. If the compost heap is too close to the actual produce itself, then bacteria may waft off of the heap onto the produce surface. The compost heap also attracts a lot of pests that can actually cause damage to the plants themselves. So, make sure the produce you get from your local grower, or your own garden, is located away from the compost pile.
"Raw manure should never be used directly as a fertilizer," said Douglas Powell, director of the International Food Saftey Network.
Manure can be thrown in the compost pile in the spring and early summer so it can breakdown during the hot months. The enriched compost can be applied to the garden in the fall. If you, or your local gardener, fail to work-over the compost pile on a regular basis, then opt out on using raw manure to beef up the compost productivity.
2) Water:
Stream and river water quality is not the same as it was 100 years ago and before, when gardens and local produce were commonplace. Local stream or river water should not be used to shower a garden. Instead, tap water or rainwater is best, experts say.
3) Animals and other invasive species:
The garden should be located away from forest-edges and the periphery should be mowed regularly. This practice will ensure that weeds and other invasive species stay out of the garden. Tall grass and weeds entice other unwanted guests, animals.
Put a fence around your garden. You will want a fence that extends from the ground, to few feet above the ground. The fence will keep out critters that may eat your produce or, worse yet,
"Use it as their personal litter box," said Powell.
Locally-grown food gives off a natural, "got-to-be-good" vibe. So, the next time you bite into an ear of juicy sweet corn, or a crisp carrot, from your local producer, make sure you are not also biting into millions of microbes, too. They, like high-priced commercial goods, come at an additional cost, your health.
Coming soon, local, young television talent will shine on 49 News Kidcasts. Check back to see local kids, 4th through 8th grade, to give the weather on TV.
Comments
Note: ktka.com does not necessarily condone the comments here, nor vouch for the factual claims made therein. Nor do we review every post.
Jul. 5, 2008 at 12:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)tmcculley (anonymous)
Does this writer sideline in the produce department of some grocery chain? Why all the bashing of locally grown produce recently? The local farmer's market provides produce that is MUCH fresher than that displayed for puchase overall in local supermarkets. Produce sold at local farmers markets was harvested either the day of sale or the day before. Commerically grown produce is shipped across the country or INTO the country after being picked days or even weeks earlier. Does this writer think no wild animals ever venture into the vast fields of commercially grown produce??? The key to ALL produce is to select that which is free from visible defects and to WASH it thoroughly before eating. American families have been eating out of backyard or local gardens since the beginning of time. ENOUGH of the local growers being bashed by this "local" station!!!!!
Jul. 6, 2008 at 8:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)Personal (anonymous)
According to Local Harvest, people worldwide are rediscovering the benefits of buying local food. It is fresher than anything in the supermarket which means it is more nutritious and probably tastier. It is also good for your local economy—buying directly from a family farmer helps them stay in business.
.
Then there is the matter of the nutritional value of locally-raised foods. Numerous studies show that free range eggs and grass fed beef have significantly higher levels of Omega 3 content compared to industrially raised eggs and meats. The overall freshness of fruits and vegetables allows farmers to raise varieties that taste better and are more nutritious, rather than simply surviving shipment. Eating locally organic food has also been shown to decrease seasonal allergies and improve overall health.
.
Advocates of the ever growing “locavore” movement, by eating foods that are only grown within 100 miles of your location, you can also reduce your foods carbon footprint by as much as 30%. In fact, an item on the NY Times website, indicates that we spend 36 calories of fossil fuel energy transporting one calorie of California lettuce to a consumer in New York. Likewise the apples in a New England supermarket come from New Zealand, or potatoes in Ireland from Cyprus, or flowers in the Netherlands from Kenya.
.
Most US produce is picked 4 to 7 days before being placed on supermarket shelves, and is shipped for an average of 1500 miles before being sold. By purchasing locally grown food whenever possible, you'll be helping to preserve the environment, and strengthen your community by investing your food dollar close to home. When buying food at a large supermarket only 18 cents of every dollar goes to the grower. 82 cents go to various unnecessary middlemen.
.
As for the safety of our locally grown produce, a great example is the recent tomato scare. No Kansas tomatoes were associated with the outbreak. Do you know where the ones in your supermarket came from?
Post a comment
(Requires free registration.)