Do you think this is possible in Fillmore or Ventura County?
I get so many diverse newsletters and blog posting in my inbox. I wish I had time to read them all. This one caught my eye since I've always thought that it's too bad that Fillmore doesn't have a farmer's market where we could buy fresh local produce and support our local agriculture.
We shop at Von's and Super A but it's discouraging to buy citrus or tomatoes from South America, Mexico or even Florida. It's a waste of resources to ship our produce out of state or to other countries while we import theirs.
I do occasionally stop at the fruit stands but I'm aware that a lot of them buy from the LA market rather than Fillmore or Ventura County farmers(I know someone who worked at one of the fruitstands)
Anyway, enjoy this article and think about what it would be like to try the 50-mile diet.
These are just a few excerpts but you can read the entire article here...
The Capital of Local Eating (You’ll Never Guess…)
AUGUST 14, 2007 - Last year, more than 250 people in Powell River, British Columbia (ferry access only, population 13,000) tried a 50-mile diet for five weeks, inspiring communities across North America. Now they’re at it again. This past weekend, nearly 400 people signed on for a six-week Local Food for Change Challenge - enough to reshape, at least temporarily, their farming and food systems.
“The most important thing is it gets people talking about where their food is coming from,” said Lyn Adamson, whose abundant energy drives the challenge...
...Economically depressed and largely abandoned by the logging industry that once sustained it, Powell River is discovering the power that communities have to make a future for their farms and foodlands, simply by choosing to reconnect with the landscape they live in and putting their food dollars back into the local economy...
...We’ve said it before but I’ll say it again: foodlands are the new parklands. If the past 20 years of environmentalism were dedicated to protecting critical wild habitats, the next 20 will also defend agricultural greenspace, critical not only to local sustainability, but also to maintaining our understanding of ourselves as ultimately ecological beings. "
posted by Gayle Washburn @ 10:47 PM
21 Comments
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21 Comments:
Gayle:
I would love to see a local farmers market. Santa Paula tried it last year but it was just awful and stuck off behind the 76 station at 126 and Hallock. Ojai has a farmers market a couple of times a month behind the Arcade and it seems to do well. When I lived up in the central valley the City of Hanford had a farmers market that drew people from all over. They were able to draw quality vendors and had live music. It was as much a place to reconnect with friends as it was a place to buy food.
Completely off topic but I thought I would throw it out and see how bad it got flamed. It would seem there are a few empty commercial store fronts on Central. I’ve heard rumor that Fillmore has a diverse group of artists representing both new urban and traditional. I think it would be interesting to see if a landlord would donate their space for a gallery type exhibit\reception for an evening. It would give both the artist and the landlord an opportunity to show off.
whats your take on oganic farming?
*** organic farming***
big typo
The farmer's market and an art gallery exhibition are both great ideas. There is a group in town that is trying to put together an art walk exhibit.
The vacant bank building would be a good spot or any of the empty store fronts on Central.
I like your point about a "place to reconnect with friends..."
As far as the organic farming, I do try to buy organic if it's not too cost prohibitive.
I read recently where the price of oranges is up 29% this year. I have some friends whose orchards are organic certified and they got about a 25% higher price for their fruit.
It's definitely worth getting the certification and there's also the benefit of less pesticides and fertilizers to contend with.
Let's see...water is the new oil and food is the next oil (as far as investments). Looks like that's already happening for oranges.
Gelson's has reasonable prices on Organic produce and goods. When I was in college up North , there was a store by the name of "Molly Brownes" in Burlingame,Ca. They exclusively sold organic produce goods but it was expensive. I would like to see a more moderate in price supermarket come to Fillmore that sold these type of healthy goods. In other words no more fast food!
Well Gelsons would certainly be out of the question.
I would hate to see Fillmore associated with such backwards communities like Marina Del Rey and Pacific Palisades.
Calabasas
Century City
Dana Point
Encino
Fillmore
Hollywood
Irvine
Marina Del Rey
Newport Beach
Northridge
Pacific Palisades
Pasadena
Santa Barbara
Sherman Oaks
Silver Lake/Los Feliz
Tarzana
Valley Village/Noho
West Hollywood
Westlake Village
If Meiners Oaks can support local organic farming , I certainly believe Fillmore could. Most cities that you listed are not all back asswards.
Doesnt Griffin Industries have their main office in Calabassas?
Why wont the City of Calabassas use Griffin as a builder? Bad rep? Poor quality and design?
Here is a direct quote from a little old lady I met awhile ago paying her water/sewer bill at City Hall;
" I live off Social Security, and now ill live off macaroni and cheese and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches so I can pay my water/sewer bill and rent".
**** She then leaves City hall in her outdated scooter.****
Does anyone remember the old fruit stand Nan's Oranges, that was off hwy 126 ?
12:20
The list of cities is where Gelsons currently has stores and with the exception of Fillmore these cities from reputation could be considered more affluent. Of course these days some would consider Fillmore more effluent. (sorry couldn’t resist)
Farmers Markets are great if the local market area economic demographics can support and sustain them. Ojai and Ventura are the best – Ojai takes the edge because of the fresh fish. Camarillo makes the top 4 as does Valencia. Take a look at the per-capita and household incomes in those areas. Sorry, but Piru/Fillmore/Santa Paula simply do not have the juice to make a Farmers Market happen. This is a beans and tortillas economy.
“Organics” - Overrated and over priced as far as the benefits to those who consume them - did anyone catch the article in the editorial section of the Star last Sunday? But on the other hand, curbing the use of highly toxic chemicals is a positive thing. As always, you have to look at in a cost/benefit perspective. Wherever there is a choice, which is always the case.
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FURMANGROUP.COM
The Fillmore Gazette will soon be publishing a regularly updated article on local farm produce for sale, thanks in advance to Marjie Bartels. Read her excellent article on Beylik Farms at fillmoregazette.com. If you haven't tried a hydroponic tomato, you don't know what you're missing!
Hello Gayle and crew;
There is a brand new blog in Fillmore. Its my hope people will come to debate issues, bring suggestions to the table to make Fillmore a better place to live and raise a family. See you all there.
Blog address:
Fillmorecitycouncilelection07-08.blogspot.com
Wanda: Thanks for the information about Beylik's. I checked their website and the closest farmer's markets are Santa Clarita, Ojai and Ventura.
I can't wait to try one of those tomatoes!
Beylik Farms
Claire: Thanks for the link. Good luck with your blog.
Claire's Blog
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