The Neighborhood

When we were kids, our Dad would pile us all into the station wagon one warm and sunny summer day and off we'd go to the peach orchard. Once there we would all climb on to a trailer pulled by an old tractor and head out into the orchard. The tractor guy would give us a couple bushel baskets and point to a few trees full of the juiciest, ripe peaches.

An hour or so later we'd have a couple bushel baskets full of beautiful, yellow and red peaches fresh off the tree. And the itch. Anyone who has picked peaches know that itch. Those tasty summer treats and the thrill of riding on a trailer out into an orchard made that temporary inconvenience just a minor nuisance.

Summer was always a time for fresh tomatoes, watermelons and peaches. All grown right in this area. Cucumbers, radishes, and peppers adorned many a summer salad. We ate well. Locally grown produce was plentiful and always reasonably priced.

When I go into a market today and buy some salad fixins I have no idea where these vegetables are grown. Or how long they sat on a truck in order to reach our local market. While we can't always buy locally grown produce it sure seems like an ecologically friendly way to get good, nutritious food.

Can we help save our planet - even just a little - by getting more locally grown food? And eliminating all the pollutants generated by transporting food from heaven only knows where?

The experts - whoever they are - say that a global economy is a good thing for everybody. I just wonder why so much stuff comes from countries half way around the world? Our country grew to be a world leader long before we imported all this stuff.
A trip to your local superstore or discount store will undoubtedly result in a purchase of stuff made in (pick a country). The gasoline that gets us to our destination store comes from a part of the planet that most likely hates Americans.

As we prepare to celebrate and give Thanks this Thanksgiving I think I'll cook my supper with cookware Made in the USA. I'll choose the same cookware many of the pros like to use. I'll cook with the best stainless steel cookware available. The same pots and pans made by American craftsman for generations. Made in the USA!