Let's Eat Local

Why is it that in a state like Oregon that has its own personal fertile crescent of agriculture in the Willamette Valley that we in Bend are stuck shelling out money in our local and chain markets to buy produce from all over the country, and yes, all over the world. I walked into Safeway yesterday and found asparagus from Peru. Peru! Granted, Safeway isn't exactly your mom and pop grocer, but even Nature's has only a tiny selection, or a few selections, of locally grown organic produce come winter, like potatoes, some salad greens and garlic. I guess the winter season makes things difficult. But does it have to?
I drove over the pass twice this past week in my Honda Civic to wonderful organically grown produce less than 100 miles away in the Willamette Valley. While in the Valley, I talked with a small organic dairy farmer and numerous organic vegetable producers who are not only willing but are excited to escape the large scale wholesaler known as Organically Grown Company and deal more directly with the consumers - namely, you and me. It's for this reason that I believe a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) program held here in Bend year-round is not only exciting, healthy and supportive of a local Oregon economy, but entirely practical. Start spreadin' the news and write to [email protected] to express interest and to garner support and more information for a year-round Bend CSA.