Comments on: Food Co-op Field Trip http://macombfig.org/blog/2009/12/14/food-co-op-field-trip/ Growing a local food system Wed, 16 Dec 2009 01:38:26 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 By: Clare Kernek http://macombfig.org/blog/2009/12/14/food-co-op-field-trip/comment-page-1/#comment-5 Clare Kernek Wed, 16 Dec 2009 01:38:26 +0000 http://macombfig.org/blog/?p=230#comment-5 While the produce section was smaller than I expected at this store (even in December), I thought they had done a good job sourcing many processed items locally, such as ice cream, a selection of salamis, and frozen pizzas made in St. Louis. The highlight of the trip was definitely the cafe, though--great food, and a great "vibe" too. What a great way to use their unsold produce from the store--it goes into soups and sandwiches at the cafe, which is apparently thriving. (Every table was full when we left around 1:00.) Something to keep in mind for down the road! While the produce section was smaller than I expected at this store (even in December), I thought they had done a good job sourcing many processed items locally, such as ice cream, a selection of salamis, and frozen pizzas made in St. Louis.

The highlight of the trip was definitely the cafe, though–great food, and a great “vibe” too. What a great way to use their unsold produce from the store–it goes into soups and sandwiches at the cafe, which is apparently thriving. (Every table was full when we left around 1:00.) Something to keep in mind for down the road!

]]> By: Jamie Lane http://macombfig.org/blog/2009/12/14/food-co-op-field-trip/comment-page-1/#comment-4 Jamie Lane Tue, 15 Dec 2009 19:52:09 +0000 http://macombfig.org/blog/?p=230#comment-4 I came back from Local Harvest realizing how much closer we are to our food sources than the big city folks are. In a town the size of Macomb, it doesn't take long to know who all of the major local food producers are, and to learn how they raise their(our) food. I find this comforting as far as food quality and safety are concerned. I came back from Local Harvest realizing how much closer we are to our food sources than the big city folks are. In a town the size of Macomb, it doesn’t take long to know who all of the major local food producers are, and to learn how they raise their(our) food. I find this comforting as far as food quality and safety are concerned.

]]> By: Dan Barclay http://macombfig.org/blog/2009/12/14/food-co-op-field-trip/comment-page-1/#comment-3 Dan Barclay Tue, 15 Dec 2009 16:45:01 +0000 http://macombfig.org/blog/?p=230#comment-3 I was also surprised at the lack of local produce at either venue. Hoop house (greenhouse) technology is affordable, small-scale, and widely available now. This will extend the growing season tremendously in our area. Macomb's food co-op will be able to find local sources of produce once we let growers know that they have a great customer like the Macomb co-op to purchase what they grow. I was also surprised at the lack of local produce at either venue. Hoop house (greenhouse) technology is affordable, small-scale, and widely available now. This will extend the growing season tremendously in our area. Macomb’s food co-op will be able to find local sources of produce once we let growers know that they have a great customer like the Macomb co-op to purchase what they grow.

]]> By: John C. http://macombfig.org/blog/2009/12/14/food-co-op-field-trip/comment-page-1/#comment-2 John C. Tue, 15 Dec 2009 12:38:37 +0000 http://macombfig.org/blog/?p=230#comment-2 I came away from the trip feeling that a cooperative local food store was very doable in Macomb and perhaps an important step towards a local food cafe or restaurant. Overall, I was very surprised - both at the grocery and at the farmer's market - how poor the selection of local produce was. I expected to see locally produced lettuces, tatsoi, cabbages, broccoli, mesclun mixes, Asian Greens, Swiss Chard, kales, and lots of baby greens plus fall carrots, turnips, rutabagas, beets and parsnips. I was shocked to find that there were none of those things at either venue. I came away from the trip feeling that a cooperative local food store was very doable in Macomb and perhaps an important step towards a local food cafe or restaurant.

Overall, I was very surprised – both at the grocery and at the farmer’s market – how poor the selection of local produce was. I expected to see locally produced lettuces, tatsoi, cabbages, broccoli, mesclun mixes, Asian Greens, Swiss Chard, kales, and lots of baby greens plus fall carrots, turnips, rutabagas, beets and parsnips.

I was shocked to find that there were none of those things at either venue.

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