With the evolution of my vegan self came the understanding that buying local, whenever possible, is the best practice. Not only is it healthier because the produce is fresher, but also more sustainable because it supports the local economy as well as reduces transportation costs (and fuel consumption). My area is surrounded by farms and during the spring, summer, and fall, there is the best farmers market. I don't know why I waited so long to go! I think I felt overwhelmed by the prospect of making friends with vegetables. But since I'm going vegan it was inevitable that at some point in my meat and dairy free life I would need to gain exposure to fresh veggies.
My first experience was success! Local musicians playing bluegrass music were there, easing me into the up-close-and-personal-with-veggies experience, and now I have a happy association with the smell of fresh produce. I was glad to see farmers, dressed in their best over-alls (I'm not exaggerating, some of them really WERE wearing over-alls!) talking with their customers, discussing farming practices.
This is how food should be sold, I thought. To know where its coming from and who is producing it, not to mention how its produced (Is it organic? Do they exploit their workers?) is something that used to be the norm. When did we become so disconnected from what we eat? Buying veggies, albeit slightly overwhelming, was, dare I say it, a pleasurable experience! I actually had FUN!! I even enjoyed the smell of fresh corn harvested THAT morning!! What a treat to have FRESH vegetables!
Growing up on a pacific island, our food choices were sometimes limited and we most often ate frozen or canned veggies. Once, when we were visiting some folks in the States, they picked green beans from their garden and had them that night for dinner. I remember being hesitant to try them, so my experience with the stuff consisted of mushy, overcooked, tasteless, canned beans. I was shocked at how good the fresh legumes were and I even ate a third helping. Perhaps this is how eating really should be.
Today I discovered that, up close and personal, veggies really aren't so bad. I feel healthier already. Now I just have to figure out how to perpare arugula...
