Eating Green in Fort Worth

Today is Earth Day and most of us have become educated on reusable grocery bags, recycling, etc. However, there’s more ways we can make a difference and that’s in the choices that we make 3 times a day, when it comes time to feeding ourselves and our families.

The food we eat and where it comes from has a huge impact on the environment. Recent films like King Corn, Food Inc., and The Cove highlight how a few large companies dominate the food production in this country. Their practices are not humane nor mindful of the environment.

Here in Fort Worth we do have some alternatives and I’ll highlight a few ways to eat a little greener. It’s better for the Earth and much better for your body and health.

Eat Local
Fort Worth is quite fortunate to have The Cowtown Farmer’s Market every Saturday from 8am-Noon. Farmers travel no more than 150 miles to deliver just picked fresh fruits and vegetables-you can’t say the same for the produce at your local grocery store. If you have never been-spring and summer brings quite a bounty-and nothing beats fresh tomatoes. They are located in west Fort Worth at the junction of 183, 377, and 80W.

Join a CSA
Community Supported Agriculture allows you to buy a share in a local farm and you receive fresh locally grown produce weekly. Cold Springs Farm in Weatherford is one place to contact if you’re interested in joining a CSA.

Plant a Garden
If you have the space, it doesn’t get any more local than your backyard. This is also a great family activity and a good way to teach children about food and where it comes from. They will become fascinated with the progress from seed to food. Something as simple as a tomato plant or a small herb garden are great places to start. We’ve used the Square Foot Gardening method in the past and with good results.

Support your Local Food Artisans
Artisan Baking Company uses fresh, seasonal, and local ingredients in their products-not to mention everything is delicious. Owner Gwin Grimes has sourced local milk, eggs, vegetables, and herbs and with that crafts her baked goods. Do yourself a favor and pay her a visit at the Farmer’s Market or her store on White Settlement Road (in an old converted Dairy Queen).

Aduro Bean and Leaf brings Fort Worth coffee that is fresh, local, and fair. 90-95% of their beans are fair trade/organic so you can feel good about your daily cuppa joe. With beans roasted fresh to order, you’re also getting a damn fine cup of coffee! If you skip Starbucks and brew your coffee at home not only will you save money but you will also keep your money local.

Latte Da Dairy produces award winning artisinal goat cheese locally and you can find it at The Farmer’s Market or Central Market. Restaurants in Fort Worth and Dallas also feature this award winning cheese. In Fort Worth you can find Latte Da Dairy’s cheese on plates at Ellerbe’s, Cafe Modern, and Bonnell’s.

Meatless Mondays
If you’ve gone to the Farmer’s Market take advantage of all your fresh produce and skip the meat. You can make curries, soups, veggie pizzas, stir fries, salads, veggie burritos or veggie fajitas, or stir vegetables into your favorite pasta with some olive oil and parmesan. Movies like Food Inc. will really make you question whether you want meat that comes factory farms. I understand most people don’t want to give up meat entirely, one day a week can have a significant impact on the health of the planet as well as your own.

Be a loud mouthed consumer and demand change
If you’re totally disgusted by what you see happening in the production of your food, voice your opinion and let companies know that you would like a change.

When you go to Fort Worth restaurants ask if any of the ingredients are local. Ask if they support our local food artisans by serving Aduro Coffee or use Artisan Baking Company bread instead of flying in bread from La Brea bakery in Los Angeles. Ask if they are using grass fed beef, where the lamb come from, where the fish comes from, etc. If enough customers demand this then maybe we can change Fort Worth’s food culture to one that supports the local economy and our local farmers. Some restaurants do currently use local ingredients but they are fine dining. Local food on our plates shouldn’t be a luxury, it should be accessible to as many as possible.