For my internship, this month, I am learning about the food available in my area’s foodshed. I always liked to think of my foodsheds and watersheds as taking place in “my backyard.”
“Food in my backyard” can have multiple meanings. It could mean food grown in the backyard or food eaten in the backyard. I will explore both of these in more ways than one.
First off, around the time I started my internship, I started a mini garden in my backyard, growing jalapenos. On top of that, I found a neighbor growing tomatoes and our main house with their own garden. I have decided to follow my community and raise these jalapenos to maturity. This is part one of “food in my backyard,” literal food in my literal backyard.
Second, I took a Saturday stroll down to my local farmer’s market with $20 to buy local ingredients. I bought lamb steak from LambTex for $8, a bunch of peaches from Fredricksburg Peaches for $15, a loaf of Amish White Bread from Gloryland Bakery for $6, a bag of mixed from Ethan’s Earthly Edibles for $4 and a clamshell of oyster mushrooms for $6. (So, I went a little crazy over on my budget but all the items I bought can be incorporated into more than one meal.). This will be the ingredient list for the salad my husband and I make from the food “scavenged” from our “town backyard,” a second, metaphorical backyard. My goal is to eat more locally and be more vocal in my community about local choices.
And thirdly, food from Lubbock’s very own Crafhouse Gastropub- food created and served to us in our “town backyard” from our local foodshed. While Crafthouse does not get 100% of their produce locally, they do procure ingredients from Quail Feather Farms to create their ever-changing menu. My goal is to continue to get to know the local businesses in my area on a more personal level by asking questions.
Eating locally is good for your small businesses and the environment, it’s also easier than ever. So, remember to support your local businesses and care for your backyard.
