Fresh is Best

“The better the butter, the better the batter” is a time honored mantra among cooks. But what makes butter better, or eggs for that matter? Freshness. The produce and dairy you purchase at the large chain stores may have been produced thousands of miles away and months before. To begin to explore the many facets of cooking, one needs to first explore their own back yard.

With the rise in environmental and nutritional awareness has come a heightened consciousness regarding locally produced products. Nearly every community has access to farmsteads that meticulously observe organic standards for crop growing and practice ethical livestock husbandry. This boon in awareness of locally grown food provides a unique opportunity for the home cook to explore the experience of utilizing the freshest of ingredients. Here are some ways to take advantage of what these dedicated farmers have to offer.

Farmers’ Markets
For thousands of years people have ventured to the market to purchase food for their families. In contrast to shopping at large chain supermarkets, a farmers’ market provides the opportunity to meet the people who raised the food you are buying, allowing a discourse between producer and consumer. Often farmers will specialize in specific areas of horticulture and serve as a resource to the home cook regarding the storage, utilization and preparation of their products. A large part of exploring new avenues of cooking is communication. These small-scale farmers are passionate about what they do and are usually willing to take the time to share their experiences and knowledge with would be customers. Find a farmers’ market in your area.

Community Supported Agriculture
With the hectic nature of modern life, not everyone has the time to make it to his or her local farmers’ market on a certain given day. Another way to support local agribusiness and receive a variety of products is to become a member of Community Supported Agriculture or CSA. For the adventurous, belonging to a CSA is an exciting prospect. A “share” in a CSA provides a menagerie of fruits, vegetables and possibly meat, sometimes without prior knowledge of what you are getting. The challenge of creating dishes from these mystery ingredients can be an ideal way to explore produce you might not have chosen for yourself and provides the impetus to research the possibilities of your next repast. Find a CSA in your area.

Hayride!
Many farms are more than happy to have visitors. They are proud of the work they have put forth and want to share that experience with their customers. Always contact the farm before venturing out so your experience is both informative and gratifying. Find local producers of a variety of products in your area.