What type of "farm to table" activities are you involved in?

You left out a major category, Eastshores: Buying direct from a farmer or having a farmer grow stuff specifically for you. I would include U-Pick places in that category.

I don't belong to a CSA because there's just the two of us and we'd never use up the weekly box. But for families a CSA can be a really great choice.

I grow about 50% of our produce. The rest comes from shopping at two farmer's markets, and, for some fill-in stuff, from a select few ethnic markets; one of which is farm-to-store. When we have time we do a little wildcrafting as well, particularly for mushrooms. And, of course, hunting and fishing provides much of our protein needs.

We had planned to start raising guineas and rabbits this year. But with both of us starting new  fulltime jobs that didn't come to pass. Eventually we will go that route.

I grow many food items in my garden.   I drive a considerable distance to get organic free range chickens.  A friend fishes and gives me wonderful lake bass, filleted and frozen.  (Only one particular lake here in IN produces bass that clean).   Over by the place that grows chickens is an organic farmer who makes his own cheese, with occasional beef products.  Expensive, but OH! The cheese is SO worth it.   I also make my own yogurt and cheese from his milk, when he sells it, not always available - only whole milk, no skim, etc.   Ricotta from his milk is better than when I make cheese from grocery milk.  (and use the whey for Rocotta)

My garden is organic, fertilized with compost & manure from my own rabbits.  (Angora, not meat rabbits.  I've never even tasted rabbit.).   So I'd say I'm more organic/locally produced consumer than most people.

I buy fruit locally when it is available, and try not to think about all the chemicals used on it.  But I've spoken to enough farmers to know that totally organic isn't possible here, unless the public can be educated to accept less that perfect skins, and maybe a worm or two.

DD

Looks like I'm the only one that choose doesn't really participate. It doesn't seem to fit in my lifestyle because of the hassle.

I try and use a reasonable amount of wild herbs/leafy vegetables, also grow some of my own herbs, but don't otherwise have the opportunity to do much.

Quote:

Originally Posted by brownedoff 

I try and use a reasonable amount of wild herbs/leafy vegetables, also grow some of my own herbs, but don't otherwise have the opportunity to do much.

The nuances of flavor contributed by various forms of wildlife does add an interesting accent, especially around rutting season.
 

I raise chickens. Fresh eggs every day! I'll vote the "homegrown produce" option.

Edit: this morning, I was making pancakes. No eggs in the fridge! I sent my little girl outside with a basket to check if there were any eggs in the coop yet. She came back with 3. It is just the absolute cutest thing. :)

i love you people! I live in an apt near nyc so no place to grow anything here. my rosemary and thyme plants are ontop of the ac units outside my windows. I love the farmers markets and there is one U pick farm in the county I live in its about 30 mins away and fun to goto. No grapes here, but the first NY corn has arrived and it is great!.. Mr Tin cook, in what way is it a hassle for you? I didnt like waking up early on the weekends for markets but found the quality of food and types of food were worth it and found markets open during the weekend. is it a location thing?

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeteMcCracken 

The nuances of flavor contributed by various forms of wildlife does add an interesting accent, especially around rutting season.
 

 

Certainly a nicer accent than the nuances of flavour contributed by pesticides. Seriously though, I live in the city but 15 minutes on the train followed by 10 minutes walk brings me to relatively unspoiled forest where collecting wild is absolutely fine.