ymib.com - Daily Inspiration

You're right!

"Only the beginning", I couldn't have said it better myself. Food prices are going up, and many families are hurting because of it. Sadly that's going to drive even more of our folks to that "dollar menu" just to make sure everyone's fed. And when I see what's going on in Haiti, where some people are actually forced to eat dirt...it's heartbreaking. The craziest part is, we here about food shortages and whatnot in other parts of the world all the time. But I cannot remember a time when the rationing hit the U.S. What do yall think about the looming food crisis?

I can't speak for the East

I can't speak for the East Coast, but I can say that there are "Food Deserts" all over the country, in our communities. "Food Deserts" are primarily 'urban' areas, aka BLACK communities where you do NOT have a grocery store within walking distance, however, you'll pass dozens, if not hundreds of fast food burger joints before you reach a grocery store.

These are communities where the grocery stores have packed up and left. Please keep in mind that these are not ALL of our communities - they are usually poor, inner city neighborhoods where a mother can't shop for decent fruits and vegetables for her family, but can grab some fried chicken, a gyro and a couple of cheese burgers with ease.

My gut tells me that this is only the beginning.

All Love Sistren,
Yahfa

"Truth has the Inherent Power to produce the Promised Effects"

~Ben Ammi

Yes, there is plenty of access to produce..

Yes, there is plenty of access to produce especially in Brooklyn, in the Flatbush area. And there is the Park Slope food Co-op which you would LOVE! There's a farmers market at eastern Parkway and one at Union Square in Manhattan.I grew up in a West Indian neighborhood which was just like an island. Church Avenue, Flatbush Ave, WHAAT! Don't believe it for a second :)

Love

Yes Lioness...For The Lioness You Know, For The Empress You Love, For The Goddess You Are!

I currently live in the D.C.

I currently live in the D.C. metro area and I don't find it difficult at all to get fresh or organic produce. Tell your friend to try Roots Market, M.O.M (My Organic Market) and then of course there is always Whole Foods and Trader Joe's.

I am in the MD/DC/VA

I am not sure where your friend shops. However here are a few great resources.
The Arlington Farmers' Market begins its regular season, with 30 producers scheduled to show up each week when the market opens at 8 a.m. Here's who you'll see there. Atwater Breads of Baltimore, MD Naturally leavened, all-organic, hand-shaped, hearth-baked breads--many sourdough-based. Blue Ridge Botanicals of Castleton, VAOver 200 varieties of herb plants, perennials, ornamental grasses, and flowering shrubs. Blue Ridge Dairy of Leesburg, VAMozzarella, smoked mozzarella, ricotta, feta, and mascarpone cheeses, plus plain and honey yogurt and cultured butter. Cibola Farms of Culpeper, VANew to the market this season, this producer will sell bison and hog products. D & S Farm of Charlotte Hall, MDFruit--including berries, peaches, blueberries, and blackberries--and greenhouse produce, including salad greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, summer squash, some herbs, and jams and jellies. Endless Summer Harvest of Purcellville, VAHydroponic lettuce, greens, herbs, and select vegetables. Fields of Grace Farm of Remington, VAAged cheeses, including five kinds of cheddar, smoked and regular gouda, feta, and flavored cheese curds. Gardener's Gourmet, Inc., of Westminster, MDFresh vegetables and herbs, specializing in unusual, gourmet, baby, European, and heirloom varieties. Granny's Gardens of Alexandria, VALocally grown perennials, specialty annuals, small flowering shrubs, and a few vegetables. J-Wen Farms of Harrrisonville, PAThis recent addition to the market sells milk, eggs, and butter. LandovEl Farm of Fork Union, VASelling "the Holy GraEl" of sorbets, made from raw fruits, sugar, and water. Laurel Grove Farm of Oak Grove, VAFlowers, many kinds of vegetables, and herbs. Liles Honey of Arlington, VAHoney from bees that pollinate the fruits, vegetables, and flowers on Virginia farms. Mother Earth Organic Mushrooms of West Grove, PAFresh (and dried) mushrooms like porcini, portobello, hen of the woods, morels, trumpets, and more. Musachio Produce Farm of Ridgely, MDFirst potted and bedding plants, then fruits and vegetables. Nguyen Orchids, Inc. of Annandale, VAFantastic orchids in pots to take home and keep alive. Pleasant Fields Farm of Hanover, VAHanging baskets and potted plants, strawberries, blackberries, all kinds of vegetables, and fall flowers. Potomac Vegetable Gardens of Purcellville, VAA wide range of vegetables and herbs. Red Rake Farm of Hanover, VAMany varieties of fruits, vegetables, herbs, edible flowers, and cut flowers. Roland's Farm of Fort Washington , MDFrancis Roland has been selling fresh produce and flowers at the Arlington Farmers' Market since Day One. Sylvan Farm of Mercersburg, PAThe farm grows herbs, vegetables, and some berries and sells products like homemade cookies and tea breads, as well as 35 different jams, relishes, and pickles. Takoma Kitchens of Hyattsville, MDBreads, pastries, pies, and Latin specialties like empanadas and tamales. Toigo Orchards of Shippensburg, PATree-ripened fruits and berries, as well as some vegetables. Twin Springs Fruit Farm of Orrtanna, PAPeaches, nectarines, plums, apricots, cherries, pears, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries--and some greenhouse vegetables. Westmoreland Berry Farm of Oak Grove, VAStrawberries, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, and peaches, as well as asparagus and other vegetables. Wheatland Vegetable Farm of Purcellville, VAAppearing since the AFM's first year to sell vegetables and fruit like tomatoes, squashes, cucumbers, eggplant, beans, okra, and melons. Wollam Gardens of Jeffersonton, VASelling cut flowers from 80 varieties of annuals, perennials, and bulbs, as well as potted flowers in the spring.

For deliver http://www.washingtonsgreengrocer.com/page5.html and http://www.localharvest.org/. I trust that this was helpful.

An interesting point

See, that's what I thought and encountered when I was out that way. Farmers' Markets, places like Fresh Fields and Whole Foods (or are those both the same now?). There are healthy people all over the place, and they've gotta eat! I guess you could call that one a "California myth," lol.
But you ladies have touched on a more serious issue here, one that plagues the whole nation: a lack of access to healthy food in low income communities. Sadly I've seen that in places like Brooklyn and Philadelphia, as well as Richmond and West Oakland. I wish more people had access to quality food. Fortunately there are people in these communities doing something about it. For example, in West Oakland, we have People's Grocery. Check 'em out: www.peoplesgrocery.org

we have farmer's markets in baltimore...

there are several farmer's markets here with locally grown produce that is *excellent*. some are open year-round, and there's at least one somewhere in the city/baltimore county open every day of the week.

we also have indoor markets like cross street, lexington, and northeast that have fresh produce stands. they're basically in the 'hood (except for cross st. which is in a rapidly gentrifying area), but what you get there is 10xs better than what you see in the 'hood grocery stores. i used to work near northeast market & would go to the farm stand there when i missed the weekend markets.

a lot depends on where you live, unfortunately. if you're in a more depressed area, yes, it will be difficult to find good, fresh produce in your corner store. but if you're near a better supermarket or whole foods (or have a way to get to one), you're good.

~~
the universe is interested in your success.
you were put here to live in abundance.
your desires are sacred.

In certain

neighborhoods, it can be a bit hard. I live in Bed Stuy which until a few years ago was mostly an AA community. I'd travel outside of my neighborhood to get good produce. Now that the area is changing, it is possible to get goot fruit and veggies. By contrast, my beloved lives in a Caribbean neighborhood and the corners or overflowing with all kinds of colorful yummy fruit and veggies.

Blessed are those who love. - Shug Avery

Ever has it been that love knows not its own depth until the hour of separation. - Gibran

Can it be True??!!

Absolutely not!! I have lived in Boston my whole life (not sure why), but there are Farmer's Markets, there is Haymarket (open market on weekends), and Whole Foods!! Being vegetarian nowadays, is easier because so many places are adapting......you will have no trouble.
I wish the best of luck in your move, and your journey!! I will be following your leap soon, as I plan a move to Texas!!!

Be Blessed

"Before you embark on a journey of Revenge, dig two graves!"

In the Atlanta area.....

I live in the Atlanta area and I shop at the Farmer Market for my produce.
I don't find it to be a struggle to find good produce here;but then again I'm
in the south.

namaste ~*~