Only in Oregon
This morning, I headed over to the Benton County Fairgrounds to browse the Wednesday Farmers Market. I often shop at the Saturday morning market, but have never made it to the mid-week market.
The place virtually reeked of strawberries, which was fantastic. In Safeway last weekend, I considered buying a pint of strawberries, until I realized that they were from Southern California, had actual pesticide warnings on the container, and the bottom ones were turning to mush. This is strawberry season in the Willamette Valley, so how absurd would it be to buy these substandard berries from 800 miles south?
So this morning, I picked up a pint of local berries, all completely perfect and tasty (we're halfway through the pint already, just snacking) for less than the pint in Safeway cost. I also found some fresh spinach and a sweet onion that was nearly as big as my head, which is sitting proudly on the counter until I figure out what to make for dinner tomorrow night.
The really odd part of the morning was seeing a guy pull up to the market in his mini Hummer. The little bit of environmental friendliness he shows by supporting local farmers and eating organic produce sort of withers in the face of his absurd waste of natural resources. Even more bizarre was the "Keep Tahoe Blue" sticker on the back. Is he joking or schizophrenic? I can understand having a genuine need for a pickup or SUV if you live in the boonies, have a large family or need a truck for work. But nobody needs a Hummer.
The place virtually reeked of strawberries, which was fantastic. In Safeway last weekend, I considered buying a pint of strawberries, until I realized that they were from Southern California, had actual pesticide warnings on the container, and the bottom ones were turning to mush. This is strawberry season in the Willamette Valley, so how absurd would it be to buy these substandard berries from 800 miles south?
So this morning, I picked up a pint of local berries, all completely perfect and tasty (we're halfway through the pint already, just snacking) for less than the pint in Safeway cost. I also found some fresh spinach and a sweet onion that was nearly as big as my head, which is sitting proudly on the counter until I figure out what to make for dinner tomorrow night.
The really odd part of the morning was seeing a guy pull up to the market in his mini Hummer. The little bit of environmental friendliness he shows by supporting local farmers and eating organic produce sort of withers in the face of his absurd waste of natural resources. Even more bizarre was the "Keep Tahoe Blue" sticker on the back. Is he joking or schizophrenic? I can understand having a genuine need for a pickup or SUV if you live in the boonies, have a large family or need a truck for work. But nobody needs a Hummer.
posted by Corvallist at
10:40 PM
8 Comments:
I have been tempted to tell certain people how their vehicle is contradictory to their sticker, or when they have a JEsus sticker and a Bush sticker, I want to ask them what the hell they are thinking?
Like when I see large SUV's with SUPPORT our TROOPS stickers, and one asshole inside, I am so tempted to let them know how they are doing anything but.
By
crallspace, at 9:29 AM
Oregon strawberries taste better but other varieties are more transportable, so that's why Oregon strawberries can't compete nationally.
By
Christopher Farrell, at 11:51 AM
If more people would adopt the policy of eating local foods, Oregon wouldn't have the same need to compete nationally. Too many people buy the crummy transported ones instead of just going to the Coop or the market to buy the better local ones.
By
Corvallist, at 5:14 PM
Flavor alone is enough of a reason to buy Oregon berries, but saving money and gas AND supporting local farmers makes it a sweet deal indeed.
By
Anonymous, at 6:24 PM
I don't like it either that the Oregon strawberries are not valued more by local people.
By
Christopher Farrell, at 6:55 PM
As far as local foods go, I am sure you eat plenty of non-local foods, and it is kind of irritating to be attacked when all I said was that local strawberries are more fragile. Globalization is a fact. If you don't like it, don't act like I created the problem.
By
Christopher Farrell, at 6:57 PM
Well Chris, the news that I attacked you was news to me indeed. I didn't say anything about what *you* do or don't do; how would I know?
Take things personally much?
By
Corvallist, at 11:55 AM
How much gas is wasted going to one store to get fresh local strawberries, fruit, then going to another local store to get your local meat, then another for personal items, then another for Home improvement items, then another for clothes, oh wait, no good place in Corvallis to buy clothes, so let's drive to Salem, Eugene or even Portland. Seems like a Hummer pulling up to a super store or shopping center that has everyting is actually saving resources :) Something to think about....
By
Anonymous, at 8:42 AM
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