Local Food, Imported Film
I might have been a bit tough on the Honest Weight Food Co-op in my review of their store when I first moved to Albany. Still, I think it is a fair assessment. Tough but fair.
Last night, the HWFC showed me another glimpse of the shining diamond it can be.
Apparently they have started a film series. Who knew? It’s been going on for three months now, on the third Thursday of each month. I would have loved to go last month for the documentary about the trip a cup of coffee takes from bean to cup.
Last night I got to see Tableland. It’s Canadian. And I have to say that despite its one-sided support of local, slow and organic foods, was quite inspirational.
There was one section that was almost a commercial for this wonderful looking organic winery, cooking school and guesthouse called Joie Farm. It looked like an idyllic place for a fussy food getaway with Mrs. Fussy. But I only now just learned that the cooking school and guesthouse are closed. Bummer.
The other things I now feel inspired to do:
1) Go to British Columbia to meet this man.
2) Raise my own rabbits. Chickens are so 2008.
3) Visit more local farms.
Most likely I will start from the bottom and work my way up that list. But the people from the HWFC came prepared. They had a booklet that listed over 60 local farms and food producers within a 100-mile radius. Mrs. Fussy doesn’t know this yet, but I’m starting to have an idea what we may do with our Summer Saturdays.
Personally, I really hope some of the chicken farms will accept visitors. I really want to see what cage-free looks like and if it varies from farm to farm.
The HWFC people also brought a variety of lovely snacks from some of these local farms and producers. Some were good. Others, maybe not so much. Overall, I like to eat local, I do. But it does not trump other factors. Like taste, for instance.
I have every intention to keep going to these screenings, and I’d love to meet some of you there. You are cordially invited to become a fan of FUSSYlittleBLOG on Facebook where I will put up local events of interest that I plan to attend in the future.
That’s exactly what this town needs. A fussy posse.
FUSSYlittleBLOG 
I was stoked to go, but then I got suddenly sent out of town for work. I think my mother and brother enjoyed themselves.
I think that’s kind of the screen through which the HWFC has to be viewed, really. It can’t really be compared to a health food store or gourmet grocery as apples and oranges. It’s really meant to be more about a community and an educational place. (Seriously, how many stores offer knife-sharpening services and neti pot training courses? They also do nutrition outreach programs at local schools.)
If you’re able to become a volunteer worker, the discount makes everything so much more affordable. I used to live with someone who was a full-time, non-member worker and we got a ridiculously good discount. It’s one of things I miss most about that failed relationship – haha.