Farmer Love

March 15, 2012



I am currently reading Joel Salatin's latest book Folks, This Ain't Normal. I am about 3/4 of the way through reading the chapter You Get What You Pay For. Once I read this quote I knew I had to share. 

I think people are so concerned with the cost of food, they do not realize how much it can effect health. We need to stop trying to buy the cheapest food and maybe make monetary sacrifices in other areas.


6 comments

  1. I think you're spot on. When I started buying meat from the local farmer, it was about 30-40% more expensive than the stuff at the grocery store. I realized buying higher quality meat was important enough that I either had to 1. budget more money for food or 2. consider reducing the number of meals that include meat. To me, #2 is the goal, but for now #1 seems to be the practice. I'm not quite there with eating vegetarian a couple times per week (which would bring the meat cost back to the usual amount for the week). But, it's a goal.

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  2. I worry about the cost too now that I am a SAHM. So we are looking in to buying maybe a quarter of a cow. Hopefully it will be a bit cheaper that way. We'll see. If we do I will for sure have to blog about it.

    The other good thing about it being more expensive is that you are less likely to waste any. Like using every last part of a chicken for meat and bone broth and learning to incorporate the organs (which I still need to start doing).

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  3. Suzy, I wish more people would understand this! I have noticed what you stated above -- I waste less now, plus I am also finding that the more expensive meat nourishes us better and we eat less. The costs haven't come down, but i have noticed a huge difference in my health, energy, and more.

    I am trying to get locals on board to buy healthy meats from our local farmer, but I keep hearing that it is too expensive. So sad.

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  4. @ Jen - I can see how they are more nourishing, so they would fill you up more. At our local grocery store I have found chicken from a local farm, but so far no meat yet. But maybe like you I need to ask the owners/managers if they would consider it. Maybe they don't even realize that there is a desire for it.

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  5. Amen. I may have to pick up that book. And I have another recommendation for you - "The Dirty Life." It's about a NYC journalist who falls in love with a farmer and leaves the city to start a farm with him. Fascinating look at what it takes to grow and raise all of your own food. I couldn't put it down.

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  6. I am putting that book on my list. Maybe that will be my April book. It totally sounds like something I would like. Thanks for the recommendation.

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