The last of our four blogs on Buying Local and Farmers’ Markets is on what is possibly the most important topic of them all. How we currently procure food and the factors involved effect the lives of millions of people. The rise of chain supermarkets and the disappearance of independent grocers have created problems both in America and around the globe. This issue is so complicated that I can not begin to unravel it all here. Let us focus mostly on the issue of “food deserts” in America.

“Food Desert” is a term to describe those areas of inner cities where cheap nutritious food is virtually unobtainable. It is difficult for residents without cars to commute to the supermarkets located in the suburbs or some other area of the city. Residents living in “food deserts” depend mostly on corner stores and fast food restaurants for daily food. Both are places where prices are high, products are processed, and fresh fruits and vegetables are poor or non-existent. “Food Desert” can also refer to a rural area where residents have to travel very far to reach a supermarket.

Why did food deserts arise?

Food deserts came about through the pushing out of the smaller “mom and pop” grocers that used to speckle the landscape, both rural and urban. Grocery conglomerates learned that they could make the most profit by building huge stores in the suburbs. These corporations can purchase products in much larger quantities than independent stores, and therefore can offer cheaper prices. The people living in the suburbs also have a higher average income than in the areas where the grocery stores are absent, there are less zoning laws, and the crime rate tends to be lower crime: all positive factors for the placement of new stores.

The neighbourhoods “left behind” have been deeply affected. The people living in these areas make eating decisions based on what is available (as most people do), but what is available for them is, in general, less nutritious. And their health suffers.

A major study conducted in Chicago on “food deserts” and health showed that people living in those areas have more chronic illnesses and lower quality diets than people closer to supermarkets. Grocery store distance was also a significant factor for obesity. They found the farther the nearest grocery store, the higher the obesity rate.

Perhaps the saddest part of this situation is that people living in these areas can become accustomed to their limited and unhealthy food choices. Soda, candy bars, chips are seen as a common and normal part of the diet. This is why farmers’ markets can have an even deeper impact on health than one might expect. The sight of fresh fruits and vegetables straight from the farm, and the interaction with people who grew them, might offer a reconnection to nature and to where food actually comes from.

Community gardens in urban environments are another tool for people who have been isolated from the basic growth and nourishment of food to understand what is involved in food production. Take part in a community garden or just start growing a few vegetables of your own. Eating produce we have grown ourselves, or have a connection to where it was grown, is a deeply satisfying experience.

For more information on a wonderful program that connects urban youth with farming, and supports and participates in farmers’ markets, check out the Food Project’s website:

http://www.thefoodproject.org/

Until major changes occur in the structure of our society, let’s all do what we can to educate ourselves on the importance of access to fresh, affordable, nutritious food. And let’s all find our way to farmers’ markets this summer!

By Rebecca Brotzman

Small, local farms usually use sustainable and organic methods for their growing operations. We will discuss what these terms mean in a moment. The basic idea is that small farms have characteristics that lend themselves to working in better harmony with nature. Large “factory” farms, on the other hand, work to produce crops in ways that are sometimes contradictory in nature.

Soil does not lend itself well to repetition. When the same crop is grown in the same soil over and over, the specific nutrients used by that plant become depleted. This is why farmers will let fields rest, rotate crops, vary crops by row (one plant may release nitrogen, another use it). These methods are used more often by small farmers who are independent, meaning they grow whatever they choose. Large factory farms that are subsidized by the government must grow the “cash crop” (crop produced for mass distribution) the government is paying them to produce. These farms tend to use lots of harsh pesticides and chemical fertilizers in order to keep the same plant growing year after year.

The amount of chemicals used on these large farms can be enormous, and they tend to leak into the local water supply and soil. The ironic part is that the crops they are producing won’t even be sold to their neighbors. These crops will probably be shipped to a distributor very far away, and then sold at supermarkets in some distant part of the country or world. The transportation itself (with all the gas, emissions, and electricity involved) of this produce is another negative factor for the environment.

Small farms, like the kind that sell at farmers’ markets, have been moving toward becoming organically certified or at least sustainable. The USDA National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) defined organic agriculture as: “Organic agriculture is an ecological production management system that promotes and enhances biodiversity, biological cycles and soil biological activity. It is based on minimal use of off-farm inputs and on management practices that restore, maintain and enhance ecological harmony. (April 1995). Sustainability refers to the ability of a farm to produce food without causing severe or irreversible damage to the health of the ecosystem.

The methods used in organic growing focus on using the natural properties and proclivities of plants and soil, rather than overriding them with chemicals. The small batches and variety of plants grown by small farmers is naturally easier on the soil to begin with, so they automatically lend themselves to easier maintenance and lower cost. Fertilizers used are usually natural, like manure and compost. The factories producing artificial fertilizers used on larger farms are a huge pollutant in themselves.

Small farmers tend to live on the land they are farming, as opposed to the owners of factory farms who may live many miles away. The small farmers don’t want to pollute the environment they themselves live in. They usually have close affiliations with their neighbors and would feel bad polluting their ground and water as well.

Small farmers, by their very nature of crop rotation and variety, tend to have less of a negative impact on their surroundings. This, coupled with the farmers’ inclinations to use more organic and sustainable methods and the shorter transportation of their goods, creates a product that is not only healthier for your body, it’s healthier for the environment.

By Rebecca Brotzman

Farmers’ Markets are beneficial for both your personal finances and for your local economy. Farmers’ markets provide fresher, closer, and more nutritious foods for less than or equal to the price of produce sold at supermarkets. For neighborhoods in the inner city, supermarkets are usually far away, which makes shopping at them an unrealistic option. People living in these areas, also known as “food deserts,” are left with the limited selections offered at small grocery stores or the processed foods found at convenient stores and fast food restaurants.

The few small grocery stores that exist in these neighborhoods generally lack major competition and bargain buying power, and therefore have higher prices than most supermarkets. Since they lack the ability to buy in huge quantities like chain grocery stores, they pay more for the products they sell. Their prices may also be higher due to higher property costs, higher security costs, higher shrinkage (loss of products due to theft and waste), and higher employee turnover.

Raw ingredients almost always cost less than pre-packaged and prepared foods. Just as eating at a restaurant is much more expensive than what the same food would cost being prepared at home, buying packaged foods from grocery stores generally costs more than preparing food from scratch. Also, the produce at a farmers’ market has less transportation, labor, and middle-man costs than produce retailed at supermarkets, which often leads to lower prices.

In one survey, food sold at farmers’ markets and through a farm delivery program (fruits, vegetables, meat, eggs, and certified organic products) was on average 30 to 40 percent cheaper than products of similar quality from a local supermarket. (In many cases, the supermarkets did not even carry the same in-season produce.) For $375, the Food Bank Farm in Hadley, Massachusetts, will deliver produce that would cost about $800 at a supermarket and as much as $1,200 at an upscale gourmet store.

When a Farmers’ Market is open, residents should take advantage of the opportunity to buy some of highest quality food available for themselves and for their family. If you are using EBT/WIC/ Senior Coupons and need to spend a certain amount, try freezing some of the excess produce, or have weekly potlucks with friends where everyone brings a nutritious dish!

Community Supported Agriculture programs (CSA’s) are another option. They provide fresh organic products from local farms on a weekly basis, available for a pre-paid membership. Members can go to pick up locations each week and pack a large box themselves, or have boxes delivered. Memberships are usually available on a sliding scale, and if you split the cost with another person you may be paying as little as 10-15 dollars a week (splitting with more than one person makes it even cheaper!). And some offer other perks, like “pick-it-yourself” free additional produce if you travel to the farm, and cooking classes!

Other programs exist that provide low-income, home-bound people with fresh produce. One organization based in Cambridge, “Food For Free,” delivers 40 to 50 pounds of food monthly (per participant!) to residents of Cambridge who meet their qualifications. A lot of that weight is fresh produce from local farms. Look on their website for more information:

http://www.foodforfree.org/programs.html

Perhaps the most interesting financial benefit of shopping at Farmers’ Markets is the impact it has on the local economy. A lot of people don’t think about where their money goes after it is spent. When you buy products from supermarkets, the majority of the money you spend goes to the supermarket corporation, whose headquarters may be thousands of miles away. Only a fraction of every dollar goes back to the farmers themselves. This is part of the reason why most large farms are subsidized by the government. They are actually running at a deficit because of the low return they receive for their products.

When you buy produce directly from the farmers, they get 100% of the money. They then reinvest a lot of this money back into their local or regional economy. Small farms are more likely to buy equipment and supplies from other small businesses in the area, and are also providing jobs for local residents. In addition, local farms stands and businesses are more likely to stock products from other local merchants. Since the money you give stays and re-circulates in your neighborhood, you actually reap more of a benefit from it in the long term. A study by the New Economics Foundation in London found that every pound (or dollar) spent on local goods generates nearly twice as much income for the local economy as money spent in national chain stores.

Contrary to popular belief, farmers’ markets are often cheaper than supermarkets. They do not have to charge for transportation and middle-men costs. The fact that ALL of them take WIC and Senior coupons is outstanding. Half of them take EBT, and others are transitioning to it. For the same or less money that you would spend at the supermarket on produce that has been sitting in warehouses and on trucks, you can by fresh, delicious, and more nutritious produce. And you’ll be helping to support your neighborhood, small farmers, and your wallet! Doesn’t that leave a good taste in your mouth?

By Rebecca Brotzman

Spring is here, which means the farmers’ markets are open! There are more farmers’ markets in Boston than you probably think. And if you think there isn’t one near you, you are probably mistaken. Here is a link to all the farmers’ markets in Boston: their hours, days, and what forms of payment they take. They ALL take WIC and Senior Coupons, and about half take EBT! If the farmers’ market near you does not take EBT, please encourage them to do so. Farmers’ markets provide fresh produce to neighborhoods that sometimes lack access to it. Everyone should have the opportunity to feed themselves and their family nutritious, affordable food. Farmers’ markets help make this possible.

Here is the website with all the Farmers’ markets in Massachusetts. Scroll down to Suffolk County for the locations in Boston.
http://www.mass.gov/agr/massgrown/farmers_markets.htm

This is the beginning of a series of blogs discussing the benefits of local produce/ farmers’ markets. There are so many reasons to buy locally that it can’t be condensed into one article! I have broken this very important topic into 4 blogs. The first will focus on the nutritional benefits of local produce, the next will focus on the financial benefits (both for you and your local economy), the third will discuss the impact on the environment, and the last will discuss the societal impact of our current methods of obtaining food.

Local produce is more nutritious for a number of reasons:

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The produce is allowed to ripen before being picked, which increases its vitamin, mineral, and antioxidant content

Studies have shown that produce allowed to ripen before harvesting has higher amounts of nutrients than the same kind of produce ripened in storage. The longer a plant is attached to the soil, the more nutrients it can absorb. The soil and sun also help the plant create more antioxidants. Local produce is picked when it’s ripe because it doesn’t have to endure long transportation and storage time. It is sold to consumers immediately after harvesting.

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The soil and production methods used on smaller farms tend to increase the nutritional quality of the crops

Small farmers are more likely to use organic and sustainable methods of growing. Studies have shown that roots in organic soil grow deeper than in soil fertilized conventionally. Deeper roots mean the crops take up and incorporate nutrients more efficiently, which increases their nutritional content. These methods are also better for the environment (which we will discuss more in a later blog).

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It is usually sold with in 24 hours of being picked, which means that it hasn’t had time to lose a lot of those nutrients

Produce starts losing nutrients the moment it is picked. For example, one study showed that green beans lost 58% of their vitamin C content during the first three days of refrigeration after harvest. Conventional produce travels an average of 1,500 miles to its retail destination. The journey usually takes between 2-7 days, and then the time spent on the shelf at the store begins. Local produce travels only an average of 50 miles, and farmers’ markets are usually only open one or two days a week. The food sold there goes directly from soil to consumers’ hands within a day or two.

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Less transportation, storage, and handling means less damage and bruising: both of which lower nutrition content.

Conventional harvesting, storage, and transportation methods cause more damage to produce than what occurs for small local batches. Equipment use in mass production, like forklifts, trucks, and harvesting machines cause more abrasion to the produce. Conventional produce is also shipped farther, which increases the amount of handling and storage it goes through. And it is often sprayed with preservatives or coated with waxes to keep it fresh.

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Farmer’s markets usually offer more uncommon and interesting selections than conventional markets, so you’re more likely to try a variety of fruits and vegetables.

More variety means a greater spectrum of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. And fun, unusual choices mean you are more likely to incorporate more produce into your meals! Produce sold at supermarkets has been chosen for endurance of long transportation and storage. Local farmers can grow more of a variety thanks to the little shipment involved. Farmers markets in different areas will also exhibit various products relating to the ethnicities of the neighborhood. This gives an exciting opportunity to discover plants used in other cuisines. Ask how to use them if you’re not sure! And the experience of attending a farmers market provides a fun social interaction with neighbors, friends, family, and the farmers. These factors work together to increase appreciation and enjoyment of healthy, nutritious food!

By Rebecca Brotzman

Cinergy Health’s Medical Director, Dr. Erika Schwartz, offers these 12 easy, fun and effective ways to help improve Dad’s overall health and outlook on life:

1. Take him for a morning walk after a healthy Father’s day breakfast (egg whites, berry smoothie, chicken sausage and Green tea).

2. Get him a set of 20 pound weights to use every day before dinner or at work, if that is feasible.

3. Get him a 5 pound bag of apples or other fruit and nuts he likes as snack basket he can enjoy every day for the next week.

4. Get him a six-pack of soda water to replace colas, other caffeinated drinks and beer.

5. Get him a muscle vibrator that will help relax his shoulders (a better after-work stress reliever than a cocktail)

6. Buy him golf lessons, a month’s membership at a gym

7. Find a hiking or biking group and join together (or just get him a bike)

8. Clear his work materials from his bedroom so he can get a better night’s sleep.

9. Get him a video on good nutrition

10. Go away for a weekend together on an activity trip (hiking, fishing, boating, camping)

11. Line up his father or brother to engage in family-designated physical activity days.

12. Give him hugs.

Cherry Pharm packs a powerful punch of antioxidants and flavor. With 50 cherries per 8 oz bottle (whole fruit, not from concentrate), it tastes exactly like a slice of cherry pie. Try it as a healthy dessert alternative!

With 130 calories per 8 oz, it is not a low calorie food, but the heath benefits of tart cherry juice make it something that should be included in everyone’s diet. When compared to the juices of other leading “super foods” such as pomegranate, blueberry, noni, acai, goji, mangosteen, black currant, and even other cherry juices, Cherry Pharm scores higher on the ORAC scale (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity). With 7 types of anthocyanins, 3 types flavanols, 10 types of flavonols, and 6 types of phenolic acids, its antioxidant resume is impressive.

Research has shown that the antioxidant capacity of whole food is higher than that of concentrate, powder, or pill form. Using a unique extraction technique developed at Cornell University, an 8 oz bottle of Cherry Pharm contains very near the antioxidant capability of 50 whole cherries, but with the convenience of a bottled juice. I recommend trying some today. Brace yourself for a burst of cherry pie flavor!

Reviewed by Rebecca Brotzman
The Nutrition and Food Web Archive

Approved Product

A new and innovative bathroom deodorizer known as Poo-Pourri was sent to me to review and I must say, it gets two thumbs up. The spray is a blend of 9 essential oils such as Bergamot, lemongrass, and grapefruit which leaves the bathroom smelling fresh after flushing. The product does work and it works well with only 4-6 sprays. It works by creating a film on the toilet water surface, thereby trapping odors and releasing the odor-neutralizing formula upon flushing.

This product would be a great gift for Father’s Day, your Fourth of July bash, or anyone infamous for making the bathroom off-limits for a while (I know a few off hand :). The product is available in a 2 oz bottle for $9.95 and a 4 oz bottle for $14.95; however, there are several giftsets also available on their website-poopourri.com.

The makers offer a 30-day money back guarantee for those who are not satisfied, but I am positive you will find it more than satisfactory. Keep it on your list of products to try this year. I will be ordering more before my 4th of July get-together at camp.

Thanks again Poo-Pourri
Reviewed by Chris Theberge
The Nutrition and Food Web Archive

Approved Product

In recognition of World Oceans Day today – you should checkout NRDC’s *brand new consumer guide to healthy & sustainable seafood* here: http://www.nrdc.org/oceans/seafoodguide/default.asp.

As I’m sure you know, eating seafood can be a healthy choice for your diet – but sometimes it’s bad for you and sometimes it’s bad for the ocean. NRDC’s new guide offers easy, general tips to help you choose delicious seafood that’s healthy for both, including:

* 7 general tips to keep in mind when you’re shopping (like choose American fish over imported, and wild fish over farmed).
* How to eat the top 5 most popular fish in America in the healthiest, most sustainable way possible.
* A quick list of popular seafood to eat, as well as avoid.

One sustainable seafood expert who helped create the new guide also blogs about it here if you’re interested: http://switchboard.nrdc.org/blogs/lpagano/new_guide_eat_healthy_sustaina.html.

Fruit 2 day is a convenient and delicious way to get two servings of fruit. The recommendation for adults is about 3 servings a day of fruit, and many people turn to juice for easy source. Unfortunately, many don’t know that juice lacks the fiber found in whole fruit, and contains more sugar and calories. The preference would be for people to choose whole fruit more often, but now they can drink their whole fruit!

My favorite flavor was Strawberry Orange. It tasted just like a strawberry flavored orange Julius! It was thick and had a shake like consistency. The first ingredient was strawberry pieces, which means there is more whole fruit in the bottle than any of the juices they used. They also used pineapple pieces, orange pulp, and apple and banana puree. If you prefer a thinner liquid with refreshing fruit chunks, I recommend the Mango Peach. Both are between 110 and 120 calories, and 1 to 2 grams of fiber.

The fun packaging is attractive to adults and children a like, and, since it is a better choice than plain juice, it makes a good addition to lunch bags for all ages. In addition, Fruit 2- day could help children transition to eating more whole fruit by increasing their appreciation for its flavor and texture while, at the same time, allowing them to enjoy the juice they know and love.

Reviewed by Rebecca Brotzman
The Nutrition and Food Web Archive

Approved Product

Yet another food recall people.  This one is for products containing mainly beef, soy protein concentrate, msg, and spices.  I would say just stay away from beef in general for overall better health.  Why you ask?  First, the beef in the US is grain fed (ie, corn) meaning sicker cows requiring antibiotics and higher saturated-fat meat.  The reverse protein factor (how many pounds of grass does a cow need to yield a pound a protein) is affecting how cattle are raised.  Cows are supposed to roam, not be holed up in a pen.  Thank the fast-food industry.

No more are the days that a family held one cattle to yield some milk, carry water, and act as a family pet until the day they reached old age and were slaughtered for one feast of red meat.  What has happened is the creation of multiple industries from cow’s leaving a profitable incentive.  Example, one cow creates 400 pounds of meat.  You sell all your cuts all the way down to the bone.  We have prime and select cuts for the rich, ground beef and choice cuts for the not so rich, and leftover parts for hotdogs and sausages to sell at ballparks and other events.  It doesn’t stop there; cow’s also keep a thriving dairy industry alive.

Drink 3 glasses of milk per day for calcium.  What if I am lactose intolerant like 93-99% of the total population?  Who cares right?  The beef industry cares.  Just buy the milk, ice cream, flavored milk, cheese, frozen pizzas, and nutrition bars containing casein and whey to support the industries created by cows.  The dairy industry gives back though; they fund many research projects to show the benefits of dairy consumption.

What I tell all my patients-if it flies or swims eat it.  Think of yourself as if you were living as a hunter back in the paleolithic days.  You would go out on your hunt to catch a bird or fish.  As you were going through the woods you may find an apple tree and grab one apple for a snack.  You wouldn’t come across a bottle of apple juice or sit there and squeeze em all to make a juice concentrate.   Nor would you come across a domesticated cow just sitting there looking at you which would be an easy catch.  Even if that were the case, the cow would have been captured and utilized to make milk, do chores, and be a friend until the day it was to be celebrated upon.

Although I do not eat red meat or drink milk, I do know millions of us do.  I grew up on both, so in no way am I looking down upon anyone who consumes them.  If you do, I would recommend sticking to organic.  Again, think of the paleolithic days.  If you choose to consume, follow the safety tips below: