Why I try never to shop at Sam's, Walmart or Costco

Perhaps the only place you will find Washington Black Cherries right now is Costco. More often than not I can only find fresh dill at Walmart. And often times Sam's is the place I buy pots and pans and caviar. So do not get me wrong, I shop at these establishments but only out of necessity. I try always to use local products and make every effort to only use what is in season. The reasons for this are numerous.

First of all, I use seasonal local products because they taste better as they are so fresh. If you are shipping tomatoes in from afar, they are refrigerated and loose their flavor. Secondly, that shipping uses immense amounts of fuel to get the product to your table. Third, that fuel use creates more pollution to the environment and issues of health, global warming, etc. are no fooling matter. And lastly, and extremely important I think, if I choose to use items that are local and in season I am supporting local farmers and ranchers … the people with whom I share a community and whom I feel obligated to support by giving them my commerce.

This is a personal goal but I would encourage you the next time you want to drop off at a wholesale club you might think about looking at the label and seeing where the product comes from. I would then hope you think that if it says product of Oregon, you might reconsider the health of our planet and of the producers who may well be your next door neighbors.