Trying to keep it local

I have been making a much more concerted effort to shop locally. Okay, my local grocer does NOT carry much local produce (if any), but until I am at a point where we can sign up with the Oklahoma Food Coop, I am trying to utilize local stores, ESPECIALLY those that are Mom-n-Pop places.

So, I discovered our downtown drug store this week. I bought my groceries on our side of town, and then toodled down there to find my shampoo and fish oil capsules! I got everything I needed without going to Wal Mart. Okay, so there was no ricotta to be found, but I didn't want to drive ALL the way across town to the other grocer (ya' know, the extra 5-7 minutes at MOST!). I'll pick some up before we make raviolis on Friday.

Speaking of the coop - I have been hoping/praying for a freezer to keep in the garage. We get such a huge amount of vegetables from people when they are in season, and we just aren't able to eat them all. I'll freeze what I can, but have to give the rest away. So, along comes a freezer on free cycle! It's old. It's rusty, but the magic words were, "It works just great!"

So, I'm doing some planning and preparation so that I can either work my way into the coop, or be able to sustain us mostly on the area Farmers Markets. It will take a little more time and planning, but it will be so great to buy things in season and help to make Oklahoma more sustainable.