In my travels in the rural parts of our counties, I meet all kinds. Among them are two ladies that have reached back to their roots to do something even I didn't think was still going on. Thank God they are!
Pam Lunn started Dancing Goat after losing her job and we're the beneficiaries of her efforts. But goat's milk isn't the only thing she produces. She turns this milk into kefir, whey and cheese. Very few communities in Florida can say they have this available to them! Quite honestly, I really wasn't exposed to these products until I visited the Ferry Plaza Farmers' Market in San Francisco and now I'm addicted. Saturday night's supper isn't complete without some goat cheese and a little honey (local, of course!) while we sip some nice wine. Pam's efforts can be found at the Saturday Morning Market in St. Pete, the Downtown Tampa Farmers' Market (Fridays) and Nature's Patch in Clearwater. When you want the real thing, you need to check this out. You can find out more at their website.
Lori B. lives in Sarasota County. She asked not to use her name and as you read further you'll understand why. I've known Lori for about a year and we've talked numerous times about how to market her efforts. Lori was raised Mennonite and has learned her skills with the help of friends and the old 'trial and error' method. Besides milk, she produces butter, sour cream, cottage cheese and Amish 'cup' cheese — from five cows that she actually milks by hand. Part of my trip that took me to San Francisco included at stop in Vegas. While in Vegas, I was fortunate to meet and tour the kitchen of Bouchon, one of world-renowned chef Thomas Keller's establishments. While talking with their chefs (one of which hails from Bradenton Beach), they bragged about the butter they used, produced by a lady in Pennsylvania that has only 6 cows that she milks by hand for them only. So you know my eyes lit up when Lori told me her story. After talking by phone for almost six months, we finally met and I bought some of all her products. I showed it to chefs in the Sarasota area, and let me tell you they loved it! This stuff is as good as it gets. You can taste the freshness, with hints of grass and creaminess most have never seen. Some of you know what I'm talking about. If you’re interested in these products contact me at john@suncoastfoodalliance.com and I will get you in touch with her.
Now the Hard Part…
These ladies are producing some of the finest items in the area but they run into 'road blocks' constantly. For openers, they must sell these items under Florida's Pet Food License. Some of us call this the ‘Don’t ask, Don't tell' rule of agriculture. Once someone buys it, the producer has no control how that person uses it. The reason for this is their milk is not pasteurized, which means all the bacteria remain in the milk. Both good and bad. Pasteurization kills all the bacteria. Understand that your body is fighting bacteria all the time — no matter how clean or sterile your environment is. Because I grew up with 'country' doctors in the family, we were taught this at an early age. The saying 'what doesn't kill you will make you stronger' carried a lot of weight around my parents. So I believe in the importance of building up my immune system and this is why I buy these products. Besides Locavores who buy their products, cancer patients seek them out for the same reason I stated.
And More Road Blocks on the Horizon…
Currently there is a bill in Congress known as HR875. This is the animal indentification bill that would require all animal to be 'tagged' so if a food poisoning event happens, it can be traced back to its original 'home.' On the surface this doesn't seem like a bad idea, but here's the kicker: The cost of doing this will drive most, if not all small farmers out of the business. If this passes, we won't see Pam's or Lori's products anymore. The industrial food complex is pushing this because they can finally finish off the small, artisan producers and make us — the consumer — feel their products are safe to eat. That's because all the food poisoning outbreaks in recent years have come from them. Interesting, aye? (If you have an opinion on this, let your Congressperson know.)
Also, many of our food safety experts think that the general public isn't educated enough to know healthy foods. I, for one, have taken the time to look into this and I know there are more like me. Heck, Michael Pollan's books Omnivore's Dilemma and In Defense of Food wouldn't still be on the New York Times Best Seller's list years after their releases if this wasn't true.
So look for these and similar items at your Farmers’ Markets and stands. If you have questions, ask. They are proud of what they do and will explain their farming practices. An educated eater is the best weapon to preserve small farms. Always remember, eating is a political act.
I will be in Tampa for Earth Day
I will be manning the Suncoast Food Alliance booth at the Earth Day celebration at Hillsborough Community College, showing off some of the food grown in the area. If you have time, stop by and say hello. – John the Forager
This article appears in Apr 8-14, 2009.