Why it's essential to BUY DIRECT

[Guest guest]

Or, perhaps, not. Buying direct, most importantly, insures the consumer that

100% of the

food money is handed to the farmer. That's the way our entire national economy

should

work. Since those days are gone, primarily due to the oppressive distances city

people live

from farmers (FARMER'S MARKETS being the glorious exception!) it sometimes

behooves

us to find the next best alternative.

Additionally, 99% of the farmers I know don't have the time, inclination nor

gifts to be

good at marketing farm products. Time spent marketing is time lost from farming,

family

and rest. Even worse, the farmer is obliged to go into the trucking business.

I work for Thousand Hills Cattle Co, and even though we have some cattle we own,

the

majority of our product comes from 18 other small family farms. In other words,

we are

the middle-man. Without us, though, these farms could not have access to the

tools

needed for precious grass-genetics, organic veterinary care, humane shipping and

slaughter, cryovac packaging, and zeitgeist retail store connections. We not

only make it

happen, but we can guarantee food safety, freshness, quality and consistancy to

the

consumer. This oft-underrated package is a valuable service that can, alas, be

lacking

from product when bought direct. You may have to kiss a few toads buying farm

direct or

from the farmer's market. (At least, you still know where to send your

complaints.)

I know for a fact, especially just coming from AcresUSA, that almost all

organic,

sustainable and artisanal food producers want the following guiding principles

to underpin

their efforts:

1) To keep their food " DOWN TO EARTH "

2) To make food with VITALITY

3) To keep good food AFFORDABLE

Will