Sustainable Produce

The modern Organics Movement got its start in the late 1960’s and the early 1970’s when a band of farmers began to cultivate a more natural alternative to the industrial chemical agribusiness that had been feeding the country since the end of WWII. From the early experiments grew the organic industry we know today: small scale farming grounded in chemical free and ecologically sound strategies.

Instead of employing nitrogen fertilizers which feed the plant but not the soil these organic pioneers used plant compost and manures which nourished both. They targeted pests not with toxic sprays but with natural bug enemies. Crops were rotated into different fields every season allowing the ground to re-nourish itself some fields were allowed to lie fallow.

The approach produced harvests that were smaller then those on conventional farms but were fresher and safer. Over time some of these farms grew into small companies. The population that bought their produce was small mostly vegans and other health conscious shoppers.

If you want to support the small organic farmers in your area or the independent organic company and the values they bring to the movement? You’ll find them in the following venues: Farmers Markets, CSA’s and Buyers clubs.

Farmers Market
USDA farmers market

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)
CSA’s are local organic farms that provide their subscribers with a supply of organic produce once a week , from May to November. Produce is typically delivered to drop-ff points close to subscribers. To join you pay farmers for your produce in advance of the growing season. To locate the CSA farm nearest you look at the online USDAs alternative farming system center.
Search for CSA

Buyers clubs
Get together with other organic consumers in your area and purchase organic food in bulk directly from the suppliers themselves, buy from small, independent organic companies. (grower may not be local) You’ll get a discount on your purchases. To find a club in your area contact your natural foods store for a list of whole sale suppliers.

source: googlebooks