"organic produce" news and stories

The University of California at Santa Cruz (my dad's alma mater!) has just taken their commitment to serving good food on their campus to a new level. In a revolutionary (for the University of California system at least) farm-to-college program, they've contracted to buy organic produce from seven local farmers for their five on-campus dining facilities.

Since the Santa Cruz purchasing department wasn't set up to buy individually from smaller farmers, they've created a consortium called the Monterey Bay Organic Farming Consortium (MBOFC). One of the member growers acts as coordinator, "delivering the produce to the campus dining halls three or four times a week, invoicing the university and distributing payments to the growers." Colleges and universities have a huge amount of impact on food purchasing, if a good number of other institutions were to start sourcing their food in this way, it could have a huge impact on the food production market in this country.

[via The Ethicurean]

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For consumers who want to stick with local products, the produce section at the market will be stocked through the end of October. It only takes some imagination to know what to do with autumn's bounty, which includes things from apples to winter squash. The Tribune gives tips on how to store these fruits and vegetables, and offers a few recipes: Pumpkin Jam, Spiced Oragnic Carrot Soup, Vanilla-scented Kohlrabi with Creamed Greens, and Duck with Pear-Cardamom Puree and Caramel Almonds.

Fresh Picks offers home-delivery of fresh, locally grown, organic foods, something that larger online grocers only touch on. For a tradtional organic market, try Sunflower Market.

Other food features and recipes: Penne with Red Pepper and Fresh Herbs, Chanterelles, Stewed Fava Beans, and Vietnamese-style Chicken Curry with Sweet Potatoes and Lime-Pepper-Salt Dipping Sauce.

I'm not sure if anyone was really laboring under the misconception that organic vegetables contained more vitamins and minerals than conventionally-grown ones. If you were, though, you should know that it is a misconception. A recent Dutch study evaluated 15 different vegetables, including broccoli, cucumbers, and tomatoes, and found that there was no difference in the vitamins, minerals and antioxidants found in organic produce.

So, while eating organics may be better for the earth, it's not going to make your life more vitamin-ful.

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