Vaudois Handley makes a persuasive argument.

“This is going to be a huge business,” he said of “community supported agriculture,” a growing network of organic farms selling subscriptions to consumers. For a set amount – usually $20 to $45 – people receive 10 pounds or more of freshly harvested produce each week.

Handley, a La Jollan who delivers the organic goods for Garden of Eden, a coop of four California farms, lists the advantages:

You save time. “It gets delivered to your door, every Friday.”

You enjoy garden-fresh, pesticide-free fruit and vegetables.

You save gas. “People are tired of driving everywhere.”

You reduce the vast carbon footprint caused by shipping imported produce to local grocery stores. “In the supermarket, you see cherries coming from 3,000 miles away.”

All this, plus your food dollars support local farmers. What's not to like?

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  HOME International suggests you Buy Organic and Buy Local

 

Organic food is raised without pesticides or chemical fertilizers.  Eating organic foods means you are not ingesting chemicals absorbed by plants they grow, the soil wasn't polluted, and farm workers weren't exposed to those chemicals either.  

 

When possible, eating seasonal, locally raised food – found at the many farmers markets around the county – is important.  Doing so means fossil fuel like petroleum wasn't burned transporting an out-of-season nectarine from Chile to California.  This long-distance transportation chain requires that food be picked early, before the development of flavor and nutrition; refrigerated for days or weeks; shipped from grower to packer to distribution center to centralized warehouses and, finally, to your local market.

  

This system has been called the agriculture-industrial complex, and it views food as merely a commodity.

It's much more nutritious to eat food when it's ripe and at its fullest from a nutritional standpoint.  Also, locally grown food is different because fruits and vegetables are grown with taste in mind and picked when deliciously ripe and ready for eating, not for shipping. When you buy from a local farmer, nearly all the money ends up in his or her pocket, rather than going to middlemen or distributors. Most farms in San Diego are family-owned, and those families, in turn, spend their money in our community.

 When choosing beef grass-fed beef makes sense because large quantities of corn that could have fed humans weren't used to fatten up a cow. Grass-fed is more expensive because it takes longer for the cow to grow big on grass than on corn. But grass-fed beef has less saturated fat than grain-fed beef and more omega-3 fatty acids and CLA, or conjugated linolenic acid. Grass-fed beef is available at organic grocery stores. With seafood, sustainability means avoiding species that are over-fished or raised in farms that pollute the water.      

Where you can buy Live and Local: 

Local Farms & Community Supported Agriculture Farms

 

SunOrganic Farm in San Marcos:  go on line to order  www.sunorganic.com  

The Be Wise Ranch in Rancho Bernardo has a CSA program that sells members a box of fresh organic produce every week to be picked up at designated locations around the county. Call 858-756-3088.

Organics Express in Wildomar has a CSA program that works much the same as Be Wise Ranch with drop-off locations in San Diego county and Orange county. Call (909)678-7514 for more information.

Little Creek Acres in Valley Center also has a CSA program and demonstration farm. Boxes may be picked up weekly at the farm only. Please call 749-9634.  

Tierra Miguel Farm  http://www.tierramiguelfarm.org/csa.htm  760-742-4213 

Seabreeze Organic Farm:  order online at  www.seabreezed.com

Produce Stands

The Big Orange on Highway 76 offers a variety of fresh produce from the Villalobos Farm on a seasonal basis. The stand is located 16.7 miles east of Highway 15 on the left side of the road heading towards Mt. Palomar. Call 742-1471 for  details.

Pallan Apple Orchard:   Apples, plums, and pears may be purchased directly at their packing shed at  30535 Anthony Rd. in Valley Center. It is advisable to call 749-1168 before arriving.

Certified Farmers' Markets in San Diego

TUESDAY

Coronado - 2:30 to 6:00 p.m.
Old Ferry Landing at First St and B Ave
Manager: Mary Hillebrecht (760) 741-3763

Escondido - 2:30 to 6:00 p.m. (4:00 to 7:00 p.m. in Summer)
Grand Ave between Juniper and Kalmia St
Manager: Debra Rosen (760) 745-8877
Website: www.downtownescondido.com/events/farmers_market

UCSD/La Jolla - 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (September thru June)
UCSD Price Center near the bookstore at Lyman Lane and
Library Walk
Manager: Bonnie Harmon or Christine Woolery (858) 534-4248
or via e-mail at bharmon@ucsd.edu

WEDNESDAY

Carlsbad - 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Roosevelt St between Grand Ave and Carlsbad Village Dr
Manager: Christy Johnson (760) 434-2553 Cell (760) 687-6453
or via e-mail at info@shopcarlsbadvillage.org
Website: www.shopcarlsbadvillage.org/events/farmersmarket.html

Ocean Beach - 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. (4:00 to 8:00 p.m. in Summer)
4900 block of Newport Ave between Cable St and Bacon St
Manager: David Klaman (619) 279-0032

Temecula - 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Promenade Mall accross from Edwards Theatres
Manager: Gayle Cunningham (760) 728-7343
or via e-mail at gcfarm123@aol.com
Website: www.temeculafarmersmarket.com

THURSDAY

Chula Vista - 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. (3:00 to 7:00 p.m. in Summer)
Downtown Chula Vista at Center St and Third Ave
Manager: John Ward (619) 422-1982

Horton Square/San Diego - 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (March thru October)
Downtown San Diego at 225 Broadway and Broadway Circle
Manager: Mary Hillebrecht (760) 741-3763

North Park - 3:00 p.m. to Sunset  NOW OPEN
CVS Pharmacy parking lot at University and 32nd St
Manager: David Larson (619) 237-1632
or via email at drlinbaja@hotmail.com

Oceanside - 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Coast Hwy and Pier View Way
Manager: Suzanne Bendixen (619) 440-5027

Oceanside - 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. NEW
Tremont and Pier View Way
Manager: Lisa Hamel (760) 754-4512

Tierrasanta - 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. NEW
De Portola Middle School at 11010 Clairemont Mesa Blvd and Santo Rd
Manager: Ron LaChance (858) 272-7054

FRIDAY

Borrego Springs - 7:00 a.m. to Noon (November thru June)
Christmas Circle Community Park at Christmas Circle and
Palm Canyon Dr
Manager: Erica Savage (760) 767-5555

La Mesa - 3:00 to 6:00 p.m.
8300 block of Allison Ave east of Spring St
Manager: Suzanne Bendixen (619) 440-5027

Rancho Bernardo - 9:00 a.m. to Noon
Bernardo Winery parking lot at 13330 Paseo del Verano Norte
Manager: Mike Machor (760) 723-2469
or via email at rexranch@att.net

SATURDAY

Carlsbad - 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Roosevelt St between Grand Ave and Carlsbad Village Dr
Manager: Christy Johnson (760) 434-2553
or via e-mail at info@shopcarlsbadvillage.org
Website: www.shopcarlsbadvillage.org/events/farmersmarket.html

Del Mar - 1:00 to 4:00 p.m
City hall parking lot at Camino Del Mar between 10th St and
11th St
Manager: Alan Usery (760) 727-1471

Pacific Beach - 8:00 a.m. to Noon
Promenade Mall on Mission Blvd between Reed and Pacific
Beach Blvd
Manager: Mary Hillebrecht (760) 741-3763

Poway - 8:00 to 11:30 a.m.
Old Poway Park at Midland Rd and Temple
Manager: Suzanne Bendixen (619) 440-5027

Scripps Ranch - 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Ellen Browning Scripps Elementary School at Scripps Poway Parkway and Spring Canyon Rd
Manager: Bev & Mike Cassity (858) 586-7933
Website: www.scrippsranchfarmersmarket.com

Temecula - 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Old Town Temecula at 6th and Front Street
Manager: Gayle Cunningham (760) 728-7343
or via e-mail at gcfarm123@aol.com
Website:www.temeculafarmersmarket.com

Vista - 7:45 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
City hall parking lot at Eucalyptus Ave and Escondido Ave
Manager: Margo Baughman (760) 726-8545
or via e-mail at baughman@tfb.com

SUNDAY

Hillcrest - 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
DMV parking lot at 3960 Normal St and Lincoln St
Manager: David Larson (619) 237-1632
or via e-mail at drlinbaja@hotmail.com

La Jolla - 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
La Jolla Elementary School at Girard Ave and Genter
Manager: Darcy Young via e-mail at darcyyoung@verizon.net
Website: www.lajollamarket.com

Leucadia/Encinitas - 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Paul Ecke Elementary at Union St and Vulcan St
Manager: Ron La Chance (858) 272-7054

Third Avenue/San Diego - 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Downtown San Diego at Third Ave and J St
Manager: David Klaman (619) 279-0032  

Grocery Stores featuring Health Food & Organics

Ocean Beach People's Natural Foods Market - 4765 Voltaire St., San Diego, CA 92107. 619-224-1387. Juice bar & deli. Great book selection.

The following stores carry organic produce and organic processed foods:

Henry's Marketplace - 690 3rd Ave., Chula Vista, CA 91910. 619-409-7630.
Henry's Marketplace - 941 Otay Lakes Rd., Chula Vista, CA 91913. 619-656-6434.
Jimbo's Naturally - 12853 El Camino Real, Del Mar (San Diego), CA 92130. 858-793-7755. Hours: 8am-9pm Daily
Henry's Marketplace - 152 N. 2nd St., El Cajon, CA 92021. 619-579-8251.
Henry's Marketplace - 1825 Gillespie Way, El Cajon, CA 92020. 619-258-2900.
Whole Foods Market - 8825 LaJolla Dr. (near Nobel Dr.), La Jolla, CA 92037. 858-642-6700. Hours: 8am-10pm, daily. Bakery: 7am-10pm.
Henry's Marketplace - 4630 Palm Ave., La Mesa, CA 91941. 619-460-7722. Hours: 8am-9pm, daily.
Henry's Marketplace- 3205 Lemon Grove Avenue, Lemon Grove (just east of San Diego), CA 91945. 619-667-8686. Hours: 8am-9pm, daily.
Henry's Marketplace - 13536 Poway Road, Poway (northeast of San Diego), CA 92064. 858-486-7851. Hours: 8am-9pm, daily.
Whole Foods Market - 711 University Ave., San Diego, CA 92103. 619-294-2800. Hours: 8am-10pm, daily.
Henry's Marketplace - 4439 Genesee Ave., San Diego (Clairmont), CA 92117. 858-268-2404. Hours: 8am-9pm, daily.
Henry's Marketplace - 4175 Park Boulevard, San Diego (North Park), CA 92103. 619-291-8287. Hours: Mon.-Fri, 7:00am-10:00pm; Saturday-Sunday, 8:00am-9:00pm.
Henry's Marketplace - 1260 Garnet Avenue, San Diego (Pacific Beach), CA 92109. 858-270-8200. (just northeast of San Diego). Hours: 8am-9pm, daily.
Henry's Marketplace - 3315 Rosecrans Street, San Diego (Point Loma), CA 92110. 619-523-3640. Hours: 8am-9pm, daily.
Henry's Marketplace - 3332 Sandrock Blvd., San Diego (Serra Mesa), CA. 858-565-1714.
Henry's Marketplace - 3358 Governor Drive, San Diego (University City), CA 92122. 858-457-5006. Hours: 8am-9pm, daily.
One World Fine Foods - 1631 6th Ave, San Diego, CA 92101. 619-696.-6002. Hours of Operation: Monday - Sunday 7am-8pm.
Zen Bakery - 3465 Ingraham St., San Diego, CA 92109. 858-274-2466.
Rancho's Organic Market - 3918 30th St., San Diego (North Park), CA 92104. 619-298-3339. Lunch buffet and salad bar.
Henry's Marketplace - 9751 Mission Gorge Road, Santee (northeast of San Diego), CA 92071. 619-258-4060. Hours: 8am-10pm, daily.
Henry's Marketplace - 659 Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Solana Beach (north of San Diego, on the coast), CA 92075. 858-350-7900. Hours: 7am-10pm, daily.
The following markets carry some organic produce regularly, but not a full selection.  Albertson’s -- Lucky’s           Ralph's Grocery Co.      Trader Joe's (4)                Vons

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Restaurants make money on it; consumers drink it up; but the environment has a tough time with bottled waters

By Maureen Clancy
FOOD WRITER

If you could rack up frequent-flyer miles onships, trains and trucks, a little square plastic bottle of Fiji water would be eligible for some big-time rewards.

Fiji hails from the island of Viti Levu in the South Pacific. That's about 5,600 miles, as the crow flies, to the port of Los Angeles and another 3,000 or so to East Coast restaurant tables and home fridges.

Voss water is equally peripatetic, journeying from a place called Aust-Agderin, Norway, just south of the North Pole. A bird flying from there to L.A. would travel about 5,400 miles. The ships that cart the stuff to our shores travel farther.

San Pellegrino (also called Pellegrino) travels some 10,000 miles from Italy. And Ty Nant water, in the flashy cobalt blue bottle, covers more than 5,300 miles from the middle of Wales in the U.K. However, the bottles, which according to a West Coast importer have been made in Germany, voyage some 600 miles before they even get to Wales to be filled.

Though it's hard to calculate the exact environmental costs of bottled water moving around the globe, the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) has taken a crack at a number: The amount of carbon dioxide emitted annually during the transportation to California of bottled water from France, Italy and Fiji accounts for an estimated 9,700 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2), the equivalent of the yearly emissions from 1,700 cars on the road.

To borrow from “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner,” there is indeed water, water everywhere. But a staggering number of Americans aren't content with the stuff under their noses and in their taps. In 2006, thirsty Americans, or at least those seeking to look hip, shelled out more than $10 billion on bottled water and drank about 28 gallons of the stuff per person.

Why bottled? Millions of consumers go with it because of the portability and convenience. Others, such as fans of Bling H2O in Swarovski crystal-covered bottles, go for the cachet. The folks who cite taste are probably kidding themselves, in view of the fact that more than 40 percent of all bottled water is tap water (including Aquafina, which will henceforth be labeled Public Water Source instead of the cryptic P.W.S., according to a recent Pepsico announcement).

And only the clueless claim they're buying bottled because it's better for them than tap. Dr. Gina Solomon, senior scientist at NRDC in San Francisco, says, in fact, that the public water supply is more stringently regulated (by the Environmental Protection Agency) than bottled water (by the Food and Drug Administration).

“These companies are marketing an illusion of environmental purity,” Solomon said.

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Donald Felsinger has served as Sempra's chairman and chief executive officer since Feb. 1, 2006. The company is the region's largest energy provider, as the parent company of San Diego Gas & Electric. Sempra, which was formed from a 1998 merger, employs 14,000 globally and 5,000 in San Diego, and is one of the region's three Fortune 500 companies. It is often criticized by environmentalists for two controversial projects under development: The $1.4 billion Sunrise Powerlink, a power line that would pass through Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, and a liquefied natural gas terminal under construction in Baja California.

Felsinger has worked with Sempra and its subsidiaries since 1972, working his way up through the ranks. He took Sempra's reins with the threat of a $23 billion lawsuit hanging. That suit has been settled, but the company is still recovering from a tarnished image earned during the 2001-02 energy crisis, Felsinger says. He sat down with voiceofsandiego.org in Sempra's 19th floor downtown conference room to talk about his company's future, why the company is a "necessary evil" and why he has changed his tune on global warming.

Is global warming real?
It is. There's getting to be almost unanimous consensus among scientists that the world is getting warmer. Scientists will still argue about causation, whether it's manmade or whether it's cloud cover that's insulating the earth, but there's no doubt. I think this latest report that came out, the majority of scientists have now gone from saying it's likely to now it's very likely that it's manmade causation.

I think that debate is over. The earth is getting warmer. There will be people on the fringe who say it's not from manmade [carbon dioxide]. The debate now is going to be focused what we do. .... You can see that debate, it's happened very quickly over the past year. There are very few people now who will say "I'm not convinced the world is getting warmer." People say it's getting warmer. The debating is why it's getting warmer and what ought to be done about it. Forget about what's causing it, it's getting warmer. What can we do as an insurance policy in spending the least amount of money that we have to spend without impacting the economy to take corrective action?

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