|
Farmer's
markets, like the one shown here in Santa
Monica, offer shoppers fresh, organic products
in a unique and bustling outdoor environment.
Photo courtesy of www.caphotos.com, Eric
Sprague
Farmer's
markets are fresh, delicious, and healthy
Sean
Orfila
The Grub Guide
School sucks. We were never taught how to
grow food or cook in school. If you were
lucky, your mom brown-bagged a big lunch
for you every morning — the rest of
us, however, weren't that lucky. We filled
our stomachs with school lunches that tasted
like sandpaper and cardboard. After 12 years
of eating pizza sticks and microwave mystery
meat, it's no wonder we could care less
about eating good food.
When
my editor asked me to do a column this semester,
I considered it my duty to enlighten readers
to the pleasures of food. And trust me —
this place needs it. Cal State Long Beach
is a culinary nightmare. They sell the same
salsa on both sides of campus. What a boring
place to experience a meal.
Eating
good food doesn't mean spending big money.
If anything, you'll save cash. It only takes
two things—time and effort.
Skip
the culinary horrors of campus dining and
pack a sack lunch. For those who lack planning
skills, this one involves some thinking
ahead. You'll need to find the markets and
then you'll need the best groceries to fill
your bag.
Long
Beach is blessed with some of the best farmer's
markets in Southern California. Alamitos
Bay Farmer's Market sets up shop every Sunday
morning on the parking lot at Marina Drive
and Second Street, across from Wild Oats
on PCH. There is also a Farmer's Market
each Friday afternoon at Third and Broadway.
Signal Hill hosts a Farmer's Market each
Thursday afternoon at Walnut and Twenty-Seventh
Street.
If
you've got a kitchen or a fridge, the farmer's
markets are where you want to stock up on
grub. The produce is fresher and it's cheaper
than the supermarkets. Bargain into a good
deal and save a buck on some fruits or a
bag of organic coffee.
It's
the season for squash, tomatoes and all
things zucchini. Tossed with some fresh
spinach, they make a quick and tasty lunch.
Fruits are also in season. Keep an eye out
for Asian pears, they are especially juicy
this year and make a good dessert or snack
between classes.Fresh ingredients taste
better. They're also better for your health.
Eating food that is grown locally helps
your body adapt to the seasons. Why eat
bananas from South America? We don't live
in South America. We live in California.
Buying
food from local farmers also means you're
supporting the community and the local food
supply. You'll also save money by skipping
the retail operations of supermarkets.
Farmers
usually know how to cook their crops. When
you're buying a bunch of greens, ask the
merchant how to prepare it and they'll probably
give you a few tips. You don't have to be
a professional chef to cook well, you just
need to research and ask around. If you're
smart, you'll save money, eat well and impress
your friends.
The
farmers are passionate about their food.
You should be too — after all, nobody
is happy on an empty stomach. We all need
to eat. So why not spend some time finding
the best food for your buck?
Sean
Orfila is a journalism major at CSULB. He
writes about food, travel and surfing on
his Web site, www.goeatrice.blogspot.com.
|
