Down on the farm
By Amy Fisher |
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Cleveland Avenue Chickens
It seems that many city folk have been aching to leave their splattered-concrete habitats and make their way into the "Green Acres" style of life. After a plate full of farm fresh vegetables harvested at the heart of their growing season, I have found myself indulging this notion as well.
Photo: Christopher Atwood
So, what if you don't even have to leave the bright lights and cultural diversity of the city to find what you seek? What if, like the industrious Frijolito Farms, you find culinary redemption in your own back yard - or theirs? Located near Cleveland Avenue, tucked into a residential backyard, there frolics a flock of small-breasted chicks (I say small-breasted because they have regular-sized breasts - pre-Los Angeles-style chicken body augmentation).
The farm offers several different Community Supported Agriculture programs: one for eggs, chicken, and vegetables, and two that offer baked goods for bread and sweets. Not only is Frijolito working to provide local alternative food sources, but the farm doesn't use antibiotics or hormones on any of their chickens. The chickens are frozen unless you pick them up directly from the farm on the day of processing, or you can visit them Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon at either the Clintonville Farmers' Market, (3519 N High St.) or the Jefferson Township Community Farmers' Market (7494 Clark State Rd., Blacklick, OH 43004)
Frijolito Farms
2130 Paul Dr.
(614) 390-2692
www.frijolitofarm.com
Pick Your Own
If you only wish to reap what others have sown, you should check out www.pickyourown.org.
Photo: Christopher Atwood
The web site features a number of local farms that will let you pick your own food directly from the ground, like Jacquemin Farms, which offers pick-your-own strawberries, red raspberries, and pumpkins when in season. The farm also has a lovely storefront that sells fresh produce and canned preserves.
Jacquemin Farms
7437 Hyland Croy Rd.
Plain City, OH 43064
(614) 873-5725
www.jacqueminfarms.com
Edible Education
I have often run into cashiers at large chain stores that have to ask what kind of produce I am buying. I even heard one girl telling people that limes are baby lemons. It is distressing that the people who sell you food don't need to know anything about it. It is more distressing that perfectly normal and capable people have been allowed to continue eating (and living) without even the most basic information. We have become so divorced from the sources of our food that we don't even know what it is anymore.
Photo: Christopher Atwood
In an effort to help educate people, Jorgensen Farms will provide you with the information necessary to start your own organic garden - and they provide home consultations. The farm also sells lamb meat and wool. The thought of knowing exactly where your food comes from, and the personal understanding of the multiple products that come from each animal, seems like something we city folk only read about. The Jorgensen Farm also promotes the use of its produce in restaurants. A list of restaurants that use the farm's products is available at their web site.
Jorgensen Farms
5851 E Walnut St.
Westerville, OH 43081
(614) 855-2697
www.jorgensen-farms.com
Originally Published: August 1, 2009
