June 9, 2009, at 9:31 am
A few weeks ago I read this New York Times article about major brands marketing their foods as local to the area where they are either grown or processed, and it got me thinking about what shopping and eating “local” means to me. If I shop at Target, which is headquartered here in Minneapolis, is this shopping local? Or do the goods AND the services have to be here? What about buying Mexican tomatoes at the local food coop? Is this more or less “local” than buying locally grown tomatoes at Whole Foods?
Ultimately, how we each define “local” is up to each of us. For me, I look for locally grown foods and have a preference for smaller farms that use sustainable practices. I prefer grass-fed beef from a local ranch, milk from local grass-fed cows, and organic fruits and veggies from local small farms. But if I can’t find what I’m looking for, or the local organics are out of season, then I have to start making choices. In the winter I choose locally grown hothouse tomatoes over the organic imported varieties. I also shop at Whole Foods over the local coops, and this works for me because I use less gas by driving to fewer locations (yes, I know I should ride my bike, and I’m going to work on that for trips with fewer items) and our Whole Foods stocks a lot of the locally grown meats and produce.
But what about the bigger brands? General Mills is headquartered just outside of Minneapolis. Do their products count as local? For me, I have to say no, and yes. From an ecological standpoint, no, because I know that they’re shipping in raw ingredients from all over the world; the food is not entirely locally grown and quite a large amount of fossil fuels are being used to get all those ingredients to MN. But from an economic standpoint, I know when I’m buying General Mills products I’m helping my neighbors to keep their jobs, and that’s important too.
If you’re a non-vegan in MN and haven’t tried Thousand Hills Cattle beef or Cedar Summit Farms milk, you should check them out. Grass-fed is the best! We’ve also got great farmer’s markets for locally grown fruits and vegetables – my favorite is the Minneapolis Farmer’s Market under the freeway near the North Loop in Minneapolis. It’s open every weekend day in the summer.
If you’re outside of Minnesota and would like to find local farmers and ranchers near you, check out Sustainable Table’s Eat Well Guide.
March 23, 2009, at 5:14 pm
One of my favorite things about Spring in Minnesota is how green everything becomes. After only one hard rain this Spring, the trees are covered in a soft layer of moss and have taken on a velvety texture. The grass is starting to turn green too, and as we move into April the moss and grass will thicken, creating the feeling of a soft green forest with a city inside it. Usually by May the moss is gone, and Minneapolis looks like any other Midwestern city, but for at least a few weeks it feels a little bit like the Pacific Northwest.
January 21, 2009, at 9:49 am
I first came across Icebreaker in the fall of 2007 by chance while browsing the racks at 45 Degrees in Stillwater, MN. The store had a display set up, and the light blue oasis crewe top caught my eye. The material was so soft, and the shopkeeper recommended I try it on, so I did. I was sure the sleeves were going to be too short or there would be some other fit issue that would keep me from getting the top. But I was amazed. It was a perfect fit, the sleeves hitting just below the wrist and the body snug but not tight. I was in love. I’ve accumulated quite the collection of Icebreaker clothing since then and I wear it year-round. I’ve got tanks for cycling and a neck warmer for cold winter days when a scarf would get in the way. And I’ve got quite a few additional pieces on my wishlist.
Other than fantastic fit, the main reason I adore Icebreaker is that the entire product line, from underwear to pants to winter coats, is made from merino wool. Merino is warm when it’s cold out, even when wet, but is breathable and wicks sweat and moisture away from the skin, keeping you cool when it’s hot out. Icebreaker merino washes fine in the washing machine, and while you shouldn’t put it in the dryer it’s very quick drying. Merino doesn’t hold odors, which makes it perfect for sweaty activities or for travel, and it doesn’t hold wrinkles. And it’s not scratchy on the skin, it’s smooth and soft. Really. I’ve given Icebreaker shirts to friends that start itching at the mention of wool, and they are now merino converts.
For the globally conscious, Icebreaker has been very upfront about their manufacturing processes, and holds all their suppliers and manufacturers to a high ethical standards. They encourage and maintain sustainable practices and ensure that the sheep that provide their wool are humanely treated. They also have introduced the BAA Code, which is a code attached to every item of clothing. You can enter the code into the website and find out which sheep farms the wool came from. The site then gives you the chance to see pictures and video of the sheep and the farmers who raise them. While I’d love to travel to New Zealand and personally thank the sheep that make this amazing fabric (sheep hugfest, anyone?), it’s not realistic, but the BAA code at least gives me a sense of who they are and what their lives are like. Clothes that I can not only feel good in, but about? Sign me up.
