By Laurel Reisen
Rowan Public Library
Organic. Sustainable. Seasonal. Local.
These four words are the latest buzzwords health conscious and environmentally friendly consumers are using when selecting the food they cook for their families. Nowhere else are these words more beautifully illustrated than in Barbara Kingsolver’s book, “Animal, Vegetable, Miracle.” The book chronicles the year in which the Kingsolver family resolves to eat only what they can grow on their farm or what can be found locally within a 100 mile radius.
From baking bread, to raising chickens, growing a sustainable garden and everything in between, every family member pitches in, demonstrating their commitment and team approach to this experience. Included in the book are recipes by daughter Camille and commentary by husband Stephen L. Hopp. The audio version includes an interview with the author.Not everyone lives on a farm and can eat the way the Kingsolver family did, but with the right resources at Rowan Public Library, you can help your family eat organic, sustainable, seasonal and local food.
One such resource is “The Organic Food Shopper’s Guide,” by Jeff Cox, that opens up with a definition of organic food, “food that has been grown without agricultural chemicals; animals that produce organic meat, dairy, and eggs are not fed growth hormones or antibiotics, and genetic modification of crops in not allowed.” This guide not only will help consumers as they select organic foods, but also will explain how to prepare the food.
The book is conveniently organized with more than 150 entries of food grown, raised or produced organically. Each entry has a description that includes season grown, good varieties, storage and preparation tips and nutritional highlights. Products in the book are sold in organic aisles in supermarkets, farmers’ markets and even directly from the farmer. Most helpful is the section of the 20 most important foods you should buy in organic form.
Another great resource is “Simply Organic: A Cookbook for Sustainable, Seasonal, and Local Ingredients” by Jesse Ziff Cool, with photographs by France Ruffenach.
Recipes are divided into seasons: First of Spring, Late Spring, Early Summer, Midsummer, Indian Summer, Autumn Harvest, Early Winter and Deep Winter. This organization allows for the freshest ingredients to be available when preparing each recipe. In between chapters, a different “Pioneer Profile” highlights different organic companies such as Seeds of Change, Frontier Natural Products Co-op and Newman’s Own Organics which have been at the forefront of the organic movement.With these resources at Rowan Public Library, you will be on your way to bringing organic, sustainable, seasonal and local food to your family’s dinner table.
Teen programs: Metamorphosis Teen Summer Reading Program meets 5:30-7 p.m. Mondays at South branch, Tuesdays at East and Thursdays at headquarters. Comic Book Creations will be presented this week.
Children’s programs: Summer Reading Program, “Catch the Reading Bug!” continues at headquarters and East and South branches. RO & LO, “Dazed & Confused ó Again” is this week’s attraction.
Movies in July ó All movies are rated G, PG or PG 13. Some movies appropriate for younger audiences. Children should be accompanied by an adult. Free popcorn and lemonade. Tuesday, “Romeo and Juliet”; July 22, “Love’s Labors Lost”; July 29, “Henry V.”
Displays: South ó miniature sewing machines by Terri Taylor.