In peak season and still 3$ a pound!
This afternoon we returned from Washington where we were visiting family. The extra day out of town was rather wonderful, though it slightly complicated my weekly grocery experience. Upon returning from our trip I sped off to the grocery store in our neighborhood. (This is not the usual situation because I normally shop on the weekends at the farmers market and the local coop. I think this combo is cheaper and provides fresher food than my neighborhood store.) We are lucky though, we live near a New Seasons in North Portland. Anyone from Portland knows this store is exceptional (for a grocery store) as they do their damnedest to source locally and regionally. That said, I have a bone to pick with this place they call New Seasons!
On this week’s menu I planned on making a roasted tomato soup with some corn tortilla quesadillas. This is a good dish. I did in fact make this tonight and it turned out fabulous. (See my last menu post to find the recipe.) I do like the dish but there is one main problem with it – cost. The recipe makes requires 5 lb. of tomatoes. At the grocery store tomatoes are selling for 3$ a pound. This soup alone was going to cost 15$ which is 25% of our total food costs for the week. This is higher than normal for a weeknight meal.
For those of you who did not know this, I am shocked at this sticker price because tomatoes are actually in season. Not only are they in season but this is peak time. The tomatoes I got at the store were okay but not nearly as good as the fresh tomatoes at the farmers market or the tomatoes in one’s backyard. This frustration reminded me why shopping seasonally is superior to shopping organic.
The popularity of organic has become rather controversial especially in the current economic climate. On the one hand, there is not widespread proof that organic foods are healthier than conventionally grown. The true benefit of buying organic is the environmental aspect – buying organic is supporting a company that does not use chemicals to grow the crop. This is a great gesture but I do not think buying organic goes far enough in making a difference. Think about the “smart check” food labeling. Many folks know that the term or label ‘organic’ does not carry nearly the same weight as it did years ago. Since the explosion of the organic food movement the corporate buy-in has infiltrated and destroyed the importance of organic foods. In other words, the lobbying on behalf of the industrial food giants has diminished the real meaning of “organic” foods. The label is now there to suggest “health” when a) this is not completely proven and b) organic foods ultimately help the planet not the health of the individual. I do support organic farmers and I try to buy organic when possible, but organic does not equal seasonal!
The quality of the tomatoes from the store did not reflect the reality that tomatoes are in season. These same tomatoes are available year-round, not just in the summer months. As such, the growing technique for providing tomatoes year round is completely different from he or she that harvests in Summer/Fall and then only. Eating seasonally not only ensures local but, if you do your research, most likely ensures certified organic or organically grown or sustainable means of production.
*(One of the goals of this blog is to teach folks in Portland how to support their values in their food choice and also live within their means.)
And as you can see, my interest in organic vs locally far out-interests my musings on the versatility of the tomato. Throughout this evenings processes I dabbled on the possibilities of the tomato. Roasted, raw, and saucy – tomatoes are awesome. Do yourself a favor and eat the freshest tomatoes you can (while supplies last)!
Related posts:
- Seasonality saves cost (weekly menu 7)
- More than just a face, the versatility of the pumpkin
- Are my tomatoes picked by slaves?
- The Dark Side of the Organic Food Movement
- Soupcycle (or) Meal planning embraces spontaneity
Tags: Food Politics