Something Stinks?

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I'm not fond of bleu cheese. The few times I've had it, it's pungency overwhelmed me and the other foods I was eating. I generally avoid it if I can.

That's not to say the news article linked below doesn't lead to something greater. One of the last things that former President Bush did before he left office was to impose higher tariffs on certain imported luxury goods...including a 300% duty on Roquefort Cheese! The article mentions this is retaliation for the European Union's ban on imported US Beef containing growth hormones. What? Are we still fighting "Freedom Fries?"

This is crazy. These higher tariffs also affect French truffles, Irish oatmeal, Italian sparkling water and foie gras. All I can do is laugh at how ridiculous this is. What did oatmeal, water and fungi ever do to us? I get that these are luxury items and should require some additional tax, but this is just ridiculous.

Some items are just made better! I have yet to find a domestic parmesan cheese that holds up to the authentic Italian Parmigiano Reggiano. I don't eat lamb, but I understand that Australia has some of the best. What about herbs & spices from around the globe? Wine???? Anyone? Anyone? Come on. These items being imported into the U.S. are artisanal, natural, maybe even organic. The E.U. just doesn't want our chemically enhanced godzilla-style beef? I'm sure they are fine with Niman Ranch beef or similar products.

That's my soap box.

Read for yourself at The Washington Post: Bush War on Roquefort Raises A Stink in France.

Moo

I wanted to share an article from the Washington Post about a farmer in an area outside of Baltimore who is in the middle of legal battles to build a creamery on his property to process his certified organic milk in cheese, butter, etc. But due to zoning and other property issues is being sued by the neighborhood association.

I'm sad for the farmer. He's in a position to make his farm a success and provide an outlet for the sale of local, organic dairy products. But it sounds like he did put his property into an easement to protect it from any form of development, and got a good chunk of change to do so. On the other side of the story, I get the feeling some of the neighbors are being a bit snippy trying to protect the view. It's too bad. I think both sides could benefit from this creamery. The farmer could have a successful, independent farm (a rarity these days) and the neighbors could get locally grown, organic dairy products.

Thoughts?



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Are You Eating a Third-Hand Tomato?

Article Source: http://www.newsdesk.umd.edu/scitech/Tomatos.pdf

STOP! Before you take another bite, you might want to consider that your food choices have a much bigger impact than you could ever imagine. Nothing beats the flavor of field- ripened Maryland tomatoes harvested at the height of their ruby blush. These tomatoes are planted and harvested using good agricultural practices which renders them disease free and miles fresher.

Many store tomatoes were picked somewhere west or south of Maryland, sold to a broker, and then sold to the grocery-store chain for distribution. That’s a third-hand tomato. Supermarkets consider produce to be locally grown if it produced within a 12 hour drive of their store, or roughly within a 600 miles radius. The National Association of Farmers Markets has two types of “local” definitions. Local is defined as a radius from the market in which case 30 miles is ideal, but up to 50 miles is acceptable for larger metropolitan areas. Or, the definition of local may be a county boundary or other geographic boundary such as a National park.

Why should you purchase locally grown food? Buying local keeps your food dollars circulating in your community. Local farmers act as trusted producers of health food and are the stewards of ecosystems and watersheds. Their fields discourage urban sprawl, promote sustainable developments, and protect farmland. Buying local food helps make farming more profitable and selling farmland for development less attractive.

Buying locally grown Maryland produce is easy. Here are some simple tips.

Plant your food dollars close to home. When you buy local food, you vote with your food dollar. This ensures that family farms in Maryland will continue to thrive and that healthy, flavorful, and plentiful food will be available for future generations.

1. Shop at a:

• Farmer’s Market
• Farm Stand
• Pick-Your Own Operation

2. Join a CSA or Produce Subscription Service

3. Patronize supermarkets that purchase produce from local growers.

4. Patronize restaurants that use ingredients from local producers.

5. Ask your food supplier about the exact sources of their food.