Buying n' Eating Local... eggs

First, let me say as so many others have, I have a lot for which to be thankful. Good health, family and some great friends all over the country. We are communal beings and thus, I feel my community stretches very near and far, and for that I am thankful - for the good people in my life.

Over the weekend, I was reminded again of the oddity of how far our food can travel, and also, my strong belief in buying and supporting local food as much as possible (and affordable.)

Friday morning I cooked up some eggs at my mother's house, and happened to look to see where they came from - Minnesota. I shook my head, a bit stunned these eggs had travelled so far when I'm sure there is some local farmer who would sell her eggs. But, that's ok, it's not her thing.

Besides, being the bargain shopper and coupon clipper that she is (my parents raised seven kids on one income), I figured she'd bought them at a really good price, and of course, she had. Walgreens - 99 cents. You can't beat that price anywhere! Except, you also have no idea the conditions under which the chickens were raised, what they are being fed, and for that price, someone is subsdizing that cost because, you can't transport anything 1500 miles for 99 cents.

That same morning I got a call from my EcoLocal friend Dave, who's raising chickens in his backyard, feeding a family of 4 on them, with lots left over. He sells them to me for $3 a dozen. Yes, three times more expensive than my mothers. However, something just feels more right about buying eggs from a friend who I know - whose house I can go over to any time to check out how the chickens are doing. And, who's feeding them organic grains. Plus, I hope to at some point be able to work a trade with him for something I grow or raise (ie. goats or maybe herbal tinctures.)

So, I cooked up the eggs at my mothers house as they were my only option, and when I got home, Dave had delivered my next dozen of eggs to my backdoor. This kind of exchange - of supporting friends and neighbors growing, raising, selling their own food is really where I think our communities ought to gravitate.

If the price of oil sky rockets, having a relationship with local food producers is going to be essential. That's also why I feel so strongly about supporting the local farmer's markets. When we speak about a resilient economy, that's at least what I mean. People having tradeable skills. And it may not be just food-related. One friend I know is taking up sewing. For me, I imagine there will always be a need for writers (who also garden, and is pretty good at organizing - events, dinners, etc.)

What skills do you have or want to learn? Every day on the news I hear of more and more people who are reaching back to revive older traditions, like, raising chickens, canning, knitting, etc. Some of this is trend-following, but a lot of folks are doing these things because money is tight and these activities are simply more economical. In my opinion, small-scale re-localizing economies will be the new economy.

And, if you're looking for a local larger-scale egg producer, checkout the Thomas Poultry Farm outside of Schuylerville on Rt 29 in Saratoga County. Not sure if they're organic, but they are local.