Market Farming

["gutierrez-lagatta" <gutierrez-lagatta AT charter.net>]

While I find the term "authentic" to feel a bit awkward, I absolutely
applaud the focus on local production.  Although I am an "urban
farmer" I think a fifty mile radius may not be quite fair to those who
live in more rural areas - a bit of urban-snobbism, perhaps.  This
disqualifies a huge area of the country simply by virtue of
geography...As urban encroachment continues, the cost of land, even
withina 50 mile radius will becomre more and more prohibitve.  I would
guess that it already would be an impossibility in places like New
York City, Washington, DC, Boston and Los Angeles.  I would think that
150 miles may be more reasonable.

> "...The word authentic derives from the Greek authentes: one who
does things
> for him or herself.
>
> The standards for a term like this shouldn't be set in stone, but
here is
> what I would like for growers to focus on:
> All foods are produced by the growers who sell them
> Fresh fruit and vegetables, milk, eggs and meat products are
produced within
> a 50-mile radius of their place of their final sale.

Adriana Gutierrez
Green Cuisine
Birmingham, Alabama