damn you Michael Pollan
I blame Michael Pollan and his must-read-book-of-the-year The Omnivore’s Dilemma for the scarcity of eggs in my fridge. Weekend after weekend we arrive at one of the Seattle farmers markets too late, our slacker asses missing out on the precious eggs. Pollan’s book exposes the sad truth behind the claims of “cage free/organic” supermarket eggs and discloses to readers the superior flavor of eggs from chickens raised the way nature intends.
One of the three vendors offering eggs at the University District farmers market told me this morning that all the eggs in the market had been bought by 9:25 - less than a half hour after opening. (She had a copy of Pollan’s book next to her cash drawer).
A frugal shopper, being accustomed to buying factory farm eggs, might balk at the $4 or $5 per dozen price. As a (not very strict) vegetarian who thinks of eggs as a primary protein source, I find these prices a steal. According to the vendor at the market this morning, eggs are offered more as a courtesy and little or no money is made from them. My first response was “why not charge more?” But the counter argument is something along the lines that farmers markets serve a need in the community and pricing items beyond the reach of many in that community is ultimately unsustainable.
I guess I need to not sleep in on the weekends.
Tags:
July 24th, 2006 at 1:34 pm
Go to Lummi Island, Tone. Met some great folk doing sustainable Inn keeping up there. (www.willows-inn.com) The best meals I’ve had in a long time!
July 24th, 2006 at 8:05 pm
Ballard Farmers market. Skagit River ranch. Gotta get there by 10:30, less than 4 dollars a dozen. And seabreeze farms has duck eggs for 5 dollar a dozen. Large yummy duck eggs 12 for 5 dollars. So good and thick shelled you dont even have to refridgerate them.
Word.
July 24th, 2006 at 10:33 pm
duck eggs from sea breeze and eggs from skagit river are exactly what i have in my fridge right now. you can call me on sundays and i can pick some up for you tonx….
bronwen
July 25th, 2006 at 4:41 pm
I still hate eggs but am glad to see you doing this. Someday I might try learning to choke them down. Mmmmm crepes…
July 26th, 2006 at 1:36 pm
Hello Everyone:
If interested, Organically Speaking, a Seattle base website has released a podcast (audio conversation) with Michael Pollan, The Omnivore’s Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals.
We our introducing a new audio comment system today, you can now leave an audio comment on any of our posts. You will find an “Insert Audio Comment” link at the bottom of the usual “Add Comment” space. All you need is a microphone.
Try it out and let Michael and John know what you think about the show!
http://OrganicallySpeaking.org
All the best,
-Ricardo
Holistic Conversations for a Sustainable World Who Share Your Passion for:
* high quality organic food
* natural, sustainable lifestyle
* ecology
* holistic health
August 3rd, 2006 at 6:46 am
hehe you have learned the farmers markets rules. Our area finally has a Slow Foods convivia I’ve been helping with and it’s been a blast. It’s neat to watch how the farmers markets have two crowds. The early risers grab all the best and are there at opening 7:30-8:30, then there is a lull and the 9:30-10a-ers arrive. The crowds are very different; early birds are generally a part of the movement, know what they want, enjoy a talk with the farmer, etc. The later guys come in droves with their groups, chat and browse more than shop. Interesting stuff.
Careful walking down this path, it’s a doorway through the looking glass. hehehe!
-a
August 8th, 2006 at 11:11 pm
Sea Breeze Farms eggs are fantastic. And, if you don’t mind a bit of a trek out to Vashon Island, you can get them at almost any time… they have a self-serve shop.
August 13th, 2006 at 1:07 am
Hey Tonx,
You should upload your latte art photos on www.ratemyrosetta.com
August 17th, 2006 at 3:58 am
I’m in the middle of The Omnivore’s Dilemma in audiobook format. My boss recommended it to me as it informs a lot of our company’s guiding philosophy. It made me all the more thankful that I work at Pike Place and have access to the sort of produce I think will be best for me. Now I just need to find some nice grass-fed beef…
I also have his other book waiting for me in audiobook format for when I finish this one. I audible.com.
August 20th, 2006 at 8:10 am
Thanks, reading this entry finally motivated me to pick up The Omnivore’s Dilemma.
Wow, I was not disappointed! One revelation after another! The supermarket aisles do not look the same any more.
I’ve been roasting my own coffee for a while, so maybe I was ready for this and not everyone will react the same way, but I’m going to get a bunch of these to give to friends…