Food waste is the #1 item thrown away in the United States! A family of four, on average, spends $1,800 each year on food that is thrown away, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council. Fruits and vegetables are the TOP TWO items thrown away. I could go on and on with statistics, but I would rather focus on Barilla’s efforts to reduce food waste and support sustainability. Barilla’s Center for Food and Nutrition Established in 1877, Barilla is an Italian food company distributing pasta, sauces, and other products to over 100 countries worldwide. Exemplifying diversity in food production, Barilla offers pasta for different types of dietary needs. High Protein…
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What is a Community Supported Agriculture System?
Autumn has almost passed us by, here in Upstate, South Carolina. That means many fruits and vegetables stopped producing and local farmers are moving to their winter crops. However, you – the consumer- can still support your local farmers and obtain good, healthy food through CSA’s or Community Supported Agriculture programs. What are CSA’s? These are partnerships between local consumers and their local farmers. Consumers pay a fee ahead of a growing season, as an investment into the farm. Each week during a growing season, the customer receives a box or a bag of what crops were harvested that week. Crop production can be unpredictable, therefore, customers are not always…
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Williamston Homestead Festival
Attended the Williamston Homestead Festival last weekend. It was a free, family friendly event held at Mineral Spring Park in downtown Williamston. Celebrating a lifestyle of self sufficiency, the festival offered classes, vendors and a seed swap table. Homesteading can be characterized by agriculture, textiles, clothing, or craft work. I wanted to learn more about sustainable plants and crops. Useful Plant Nursery Chuck Marsh, Permaculture designer, of Useful Plant Nursery provided a very informative presentation of plants that provide benefits beyond looking pretty in your landscape. Many plants have medicinal benefits that nature has provided since our Indian, original homesteaders, lived off the land. Marsh explained his concern for the lack…
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Organic Gardening at the Rodale Institute
If you are a home gardener wanting to educate yourself and strive for organic gardening, you need to read up on the Rodale Institute in Kutztown, Pennsylvania. Founded by J.I. Rodale in 1947, the Rodale Institute’s initial mission was to create an example of how organic farming could work. Because of health aliments, Rodale wanted to study the process of organic farming, verses conventional farming and the benefits of going organic. Originally ridiculed for his vision, Rodale is now revered as a pioneer and his grand-daughter and great grand-daughter carry on his legacy, forming the largest multi-media company dedicated to restoring a healthy plant, Rodale Incorporated. History of Rodale When…
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Forage for Ramps
I am searching for RAMPS This article about foraging for ramps is very informative, with great photos. I am on the hunt for wild ramps. I have never ate them before and cannot wait to try them. Help me find a patch! The Foraged Foodie Monday, April 30, 2012 Foraging: Identifying and Sustainably Harvesting Ramps Allium tricoccum, called sometimes wild leeks, spring onions, wood leeks, or ramson, but most commonly known as the ramp or Ramps, are one of the most sought after wild foods. Recently “discovered” by the gourmet world, Martha Stewart, the New York Times, the Food Network, and more have just learned what foragers and people…
