The Spinach Dilemma

I stopped into Whole Foods on the way home (a Capers store near Broadway and Cambie), entered the produce section to find yet more signs saying "product of the US", turned to the nice produce clerk, and voiced my frustration. I asked him "when it says US, do you know where in the US it comes from?" He explained that most of the produce right now if from California or Mexico. I told him about my new experiment and he said that there would be some things from greenhouses in Washington. I stopped, and I pondered, if I'm purchasing things from greenhouses, am I really making a positive change? Is it really so important that I exclude California? Like people have said, aren't things from California likely more effeciently produced? The produce clerk told me he had also tried to eat locally before but that he had prepared in advance and frozen his greens (what I'm missing right now from my diet). Hmmm.

As I walked around the store the wheels continued to turn (a lovely benefit from this whole endeavor). I saw green. I saw "brassica mix" (bits of delicious-looking kale and such) positively glowing in a regularly spritzed refrigerated bowl. It's lovely green and purple foliage taunted me and when I saw the California label I actually frowned and might have wimpered. You see, I'm one of those people who likes green in every meal, and I think I've had the colour 4 times in the last 2 weeks. Then I saw the spinach. Gorgeous and... giant smile :) from BC! "Yey!" I cried on the inside. And then I thought. Hmmm, I just went to a Vancouver garden in search of greens and found just a few sprigs of kale. "How did this spinach grow?" I pondered. I am thinking likely in a greenhouse and so the frown returned. Yet I stuck to my rule and lovingly packed a bag full of the amazing stuff.

As I continued to wonder with my find, I reached the frozen foods sections, contemplating getting finding some more local fare therewithin. Yet another dilemma... if it's been frozen since summer how eco-friendly is that? The not so reusable plastic bags egged me on my way. I had my spinach, this was enough.

I didn't mention the salmon. I got salmon. Lemon pepper seasoned spring salmon from our coastal waters and a bit of maple nuggets. Yes, dilemma 3, after 17 days I saw those filets, tasted some, and wanted some. Part of my excuse includes checking my oceanwise chart first and seeing that wild Canadian spring salmon is not on the good list, but it is also not on the bad. Surely buying a filet or two one every few months is my fair share, right? Plus, I need to add a bit more variety to my diet than grains, root veggies and dairy. I actually think I've gained a few pounds in the last week from all the dairy. Now, I need balance.

Well I would currently rather read than write, so I will leave it there. My current big thoughts are that if eating locally reduces our dependence on oil and builds a healthy local food system I am still fully behind it, I just need to figure out how to make that food system also organic, small-scale, energy efficient and seasonal. I think my next step is to visit an urban garden that is flourishing despite the fact that it is January. Growing winter hardy crops would be a simple answer.

In parting I will just say farmer's market finds from Saturday included portabello mushrooms, qualicum cheese, honey and biodynamic apples (they looked beautiful!). I'll also be sure to post my estimates food finances for the last two weeks soon. I am currently thinking it's been about $200, but not sure, hoping a bit less, but I did spend $20 on nuts (an exception although I've heard I could source some local hazelnuts).

Happy eating!