For those of us who cannot spend huge amounts of time cooking from scratch, we then must rely on local sources of good food. Really, this happens all the time in my house.
It’s the old problem — it takes either time or money to feed a family. If I don’t have much money, I have to spend more time. But if I don’t have much time, I’ll have to spend more money. It can get frustrating, can’t it?
In our home, I try to spend more time than money. But sometimes life is just too busy, or maybe I’m not feeling well and don’t have much energy. Either way, at these times, I need to have good sources of food available to me — or I’ll quickly lapse right back into my old eating habits.
The best thing you can do is find sources that are local to you. Local is better because
- You can see with your own eyes that the quality is better.
- You are supporting the local farmers who work hard to bring you good food.
- Local food requires less gasoline (and other costs) to get to you, thereby making it cheaper (and generally healthier) than food that must travel across the country to get to you.
- You will form relationships with real people (farmers, etc.), with whom you’ll then probably form friendships. This support is invaluable.
To find local food sources, you’ll need to spend some initial time online, on the phone, and in your car. First, contact the Weston A. Price Foundation for a list of their local chapters. Then call someone who lives close to you. As it says on their website,
“Local chapters help you find locally-grown organic and biodynamic vegetables, fruits and grains; and milk products, butter, eggs, chicken and meat from pasture-fed animals. They also represent the Weston A. Price Foundation at local fairs and conferences and may host cooking classes, potluck dinners and other activities to help you learn to integrate properly prepared whole foods into your lifestyle. Local chapters may be able to put you in touch with health practitioners who share our philosophy and goals.”
Secondly, try to find a local shopping cooperative, where you may be able to order foods in bulk or to find natural foods that aren’t available in your local supermarkets. Click here to find a natural food co-op near you.
Third, drive out past the suburbs and talk to local farmers. You may also find farmers at a local farmer’s market. From local farmers, you’ll find delights such as grass-fed beef and chicken, organic produce, raw milk, farm-fresh eggs, and even homemade breads.
Finally, stop in at a local health food store and strike up a friendship with the owner. He or she can be a goldmine of information on where to find quality local foods.
Here are some online sources, if you absolutely can’t find good food locally. You’ll pay for this convenience in shipping costs, but sometimes, this is the best you can do. (There are many good sources; these are just my favorites.)
Please note: Some of the following links are affiliate links. I am only an affiliate for products I know and love. I receive a small commission with each purchase made through my referrals and links. Thought you should know! ~Anne
Food:
- Acerola Powder (a natural, safe source of Vitamin C) – NOW Foods
- Bread (sourdough) – made with Celtic Sea Salt by the Grain & Salt Society or a starter from King Arthur Flour or Northwest Sourdough
- Bread (sprouted grains & sourdough) – Alvarado St. Bakery
- Dairy – a list of suppliers; see also rawmilk.org and realmilk.com
- Cod Liver Oil – Radiant Life
- Kombucha Mushrooms – Laurel Farms
- Maple Syrup – (organic, non-formaldehyde) Grain & Salt Society or Country Life Natural Foods
- Oils (flax, olive, etc.) – Wilderness Family Naturals
- Sea Salt – Celtic Sea Salt by Wilderness Family Naturals
- Sucanat (a natural sweetener) – NOW Foods or Country Life Natural Foods
- Tea – Tea with Grace or from my friend Bonnie
- Toothpaste – Tom’s of Maine or Young Living (or try this recipe with no flouride or sodium lauryl sulfate)
- Tortillas (Sprouted Wheat) – Alvarado St. Bakery
- Various Products – Wilderness Family Naturals
Other Great Sources:
- Water Purifying Systems – Culligan (the filter we have), EWater.com
- Corn Mills – Lehman’s
- Knives – Cutco
- Grain Mills – Pleasant Hill Grain or Urban Homemaker
- Grain Roller – Lehman’s
- Parchment Paper – Baker’s Catalogue (and many more fun baking supplies!)
- Sauerkraut Crocks – Gold Mine Natural Foods
- Baking Pans & Cookie Sheets (Stainless Steel) – Norpro
Good Web Sites:
My next post will show you how to cook from scratch at home.
