My family and close friends know that I am a little particular about my food, though I’m far from being a “foodie.” (For example, my parent’s nickname for me is “the surgeon” because I always cut off all the bits of bone and fat from any meat on my plate before I will eat it). This was compounded for me when I read “The Omnivore’s Dilemma” by Michael Pollan — a book I wholeheartedly recommend. It is thought-provoking at the very least, and takes the reader by the hand through a short journey of how the food on your table got there. Click on the link and buy it now, you won’t be disappointed (but you may start reading food labels a lot more closely).
A few years ago we were looking for a Thanksgiving turkey raised on food that turkeys eat (grasses, acorns, nuts, small amphibians and reptiles) — because, generally speaking, most turkeys you buy in the store these days were fed a diet of corn, soybeans and nutrients.
After some extensive Google-ing I found the Plaid Piper Farm, in Sussex County, NJ. A great little farm run by Paul Dalrymple (though most emails come from Eileen) who raises “grass finished beef, pastured pork, turkeys, chicken and eggs”. It can be a long ride, but watching the countryside go by is it’s own reward.
(BY THE WAY, during that Google-ing I came across a post at Ecomotown, a nice “green” blog run by Abby from Maine.) Take a look at her post if you want to see more images and video of the farm and farmer and a decent interview to boot.)
Anyway… the whole reason for this post is an email I received from Eileen about this event: “Sustenance on the Farm Dinners 2010.” I don’t know if we’ll be able to make it, but I recommend that anyone interested in getting back to basics with their food give the Plaid Piper Farm a visit. Buy some eggs and a pound of bacon and you’ll be sold. I guarantee it.
