ecoyear

Recently, two articles, here and here, have appeared on trying to save money while eating locally and sustainably.

You can go ahead and read them and see what you think, but my assessment is that they don't really offer any exciting tips. Instead they offer compromises such as buying organic from Walmart.

Here's what I think works:
- figure out what you hope to see more of - each purchase is a vote (yes, you want more organic at Walmart, but do you want "more Walmart"?)
- grow your own, especially of what is expensive for farmers, but not that much work for you; My strawberries fell into that category - I got about 10 pints, which would have cost me $60 at the market, from plants I paid for 2 years ago, that continue to produce for now, and spread almost uncontrollably to any amount of garden space I am willing to give them. Potatoes is another possibility.
- be creative - I tucked some basil and mint into the HOA flower pots I planted for them this year. I also tucked in tomatoes and peppers, and I'm anxious to see how that will go. I mainly fertilize with organic "fruit and flower" fertilizer and fish emulsion, so I don't have to worry so much about compatibility.

^{Purple basil on the left, Stupice determinate tomato plant on the right, and all the usual suspects - geraniums, million bells, etc...}

- forage and harvest in your neighborhood - sour cherries are available for the picking right now - there is always that elderly neighbor who just wishes someone would volunteer to pick theirs in exchange for a small pie or pint of preserves...
- know what to do with large amounts of produce (freeze, usually, until you can get to them) - you never now when you might come across someone with a need to unload a case or two. The old system of shopping around market closing time looking for deals rarely works right now when demand is so high for fresh local food
- plan your meals so you don't waste food - and donate anything you don't need - what goes around...
- add rhubarb to everything (at $3/lb it can be a bargain compared to fresh fruit)
- eat eggs for protein and staying power instead of cheese or meat/chicken/fish

Send in your tips! Obviously that is an important topic, but "pile it high and sell it cheap" is what got us in this pickle to begin with. We need a creative affordable alternative.