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Often it is actually more expensive to eat local, when food stamps and low prices afford people to get more from chain stores (Safeway, Fred Meyer) or discount grocers (Winco, Grocery Outlet, 3 Boys, Plew's). How can people stay within their financial means and simultaneously support local food production?
It’s
true. Often, eating a diet of fresh
organically-grown local fruits and vegetables is expensive, and people with low
incomes are unable to afford what we see as a basic human necessity and a human
right. However, there are ways to obtain
local food, support local farmers and maintain vibrant healthy bodies without
breaking our budget.
One way is to grow your own food. Even if you only have space for a pot on the windowsill, you can still contribute to your own food security by growing a tomato plant, some collards or herbs. Food stamps can be used to buy seeds and plant starts (commonly called “starts”, these little plants have already been cultivated from seed for you to plant directly in the soil or in a larger pot). Buying a tomato start or seeds at the beginning of the season for $2 can pay off throughout the summer with free fresh fruit for you and your family and friends. Growing Gardens (www.growing-gardens.org) is a great resource for starting a garden, getting starts and seeds, and improving your gardening skills.
Shop at one of the many co-operative grocery stores in town (you don’t have to be a member to shop there). Co-ops are actively investing in local food and products to encourage community and healthy environments. Check out the reduced produce basket while you are at People's and Alberta Co-op! People’s Co-op sells bruised or older produce for only $0.59/lb. Also, buy ugly produce at farmers' markets (ever tried celeriac?); it is delicious and nutritious, and more often than not costs less than the perfectly shaped fruits and vegetables that customers expect in the marketplace.
Another
way to eat local organic food is to buy food in bulk. Pool your resources with friends and family
to buy a 20 pound bag of organic rice from the co-op (they usually have extra
bags on-hand) and split it between all of you.
Members at Alberta Co-op get 10% off bulk purchase orders, while working
members get 20% off. Members at Food
Front get 10% off, all others get 5% off bulk orders. Everyone at People’s gets 8% off bulk food
orders. Ordering food in bulk will save you
money per pound, cut down on trips to the store, and save bulky packaging
material from entering the waste stream.
Meat is expensive. Replace your meat with lentils, beans, tofu and tempeh. OTA tofu is made in Portland. If tempeh is your preference, Surata is a great choice. They make soy products in Eugene from soy beans grown in the US. You’ll save money eating a vegetable diet and contribute less to global warming in too many ways to mention here.
Eat less processed foods. While processed foods may taste better, the nutrition you get per dollar is much less than eating whole food. Whole foods like apples, carrots, peanuts, and whole grains have more biologically available protein and minerals than any equivalent processed food.
Consider joining a co-operative grocery. Most co-ops have a vision for creating a community of diverse nationalities, economic backgrounds, races and sexual orientations. To manifest that vision of inclusiveness, co-ops often have joining fees that are affordable for almost everyone. People’s coop encourages accessibility, sustainability and egalitarianism through the way they operate. They have this to say about membership on their website (www.peoples.coop):
A member is more than a consumer! Member-ownership is an investment in the cooperative system, local farms and businesses, and in organic and sustainable production methods. As a democratic organization, everyone is entitled to purchase a share of the co-op—but only one share to ensure that each shareholder has an equal amount of ownership and voting power.
The shares at People’s are $180 and can be paid over 6 years, which means yearly payments of $30, or $2.50 a month. Ownership at Food Front Cooperative Grocery is $150 and can be paid in installments of $5 a month for 30 months (two and a half years). At the Alberta Coop, you can join for $180. On their website (www.albertagrocery.coop) it says, “We want to make membership accessible to all the diverse residents of the North/Northeast Portland community that we serve. Most members pay $45 a year over four years. There are a variety of other flexible payment plans available, including as little as $15 to start. Just ask about a plan that works for you.”
Another way to get free vegetarian and organic food include participating in the Oregon Department of Agriculture's "Farm Direct Nutrition Program" to get free food at local farmers’ markets. Check out their website at: http://egov.oregon.gov/ODA/ADMD/farm_direct.shtml/
Food not
Bombs also serves free vegan meals for everyone to alleviate hunger and protest
war. They serve food every day of the week in Portland. Check out this website for the
latest information: http://www.foodnotbombs.net/oregon.html.
SOME PRACTICAL TIPS:
Shop at farmers markets, harvest from fruit trees in the city and eat wild berries. Keep your eyes, ears (listen for bees), and nostrils open for the fresh sights, sounds and smells of local fruit. Just remember to ask if it’s okay to pick some if the tree or shrub is in someone’s yard.
Use
coupons when you shop. All of the co-ops
issue coupons at least 4 times a year.
Buy food together; when you buy staples in bulk, the savings really add up.
Ride
your bike to the grocery store and spend the money you save on gas on local
food at local businesses that carry local food.
Take a cooking class and learn how to prepare local food from scratch, instead of relying on mixes and packaged food. Your wallet and your vibrant body will thank you. Low Cost Cooking classes are offered at Oregon Food Bank, New Seasons, and through the African American Health Coalition. The IFFP also offers cooking classes during the summer season and promotes healthy eating at the Northeast Emergency Food Program.
For more information about how the IFFP works, see our two Farm to Congregation toolkits located on our website: www.emoregon.org.food_farms
The purpose of the classes is to empower people with low-incomes to improve their nutrition. So, yes, the participants cook their own meals. Hands-on is the best way to learn and remember when it comes to cooking!
The best of luck to you as you get your need met for food! :)
