Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Where Does Your Food Come From?

Where does our food come from?
This question is being asked now more than ever by people around the globe. Do we really know how the food on our plate got there? From beginning to end?

Michael Pollan, tackles this question in his book, The Omnivore's Dilemma. After reading this book, I was inspired to take a closer look at the foods I was eating & how they were being produced.

My journey started at Natural Living Health Food Store, located in Antigo, Wisconsin, a store known for specializing in organic and locally grown produce.
Pam & Pete Augustyn grow some of the produce themselves in their 31,000 square foot hydroponic greenhouse which holds 7656 plants!

I asked for a tour of the greenhouse...what did I see?

*Augustyns' hydroponic greenhouse*
I saw beautiful tomatoes...

Hot red (and green) jalapeno peppers...

Hydroponic greenhouses are soil-less controlled environments.
Instead of soil, the Augustyns' use perlite, a white volcanic rock which holds oxygen & moisture while providing space for the plant to grow- making it an ideal component for soil-less growing.

long skinny cukes

The Augustyns' feed the plants with major nutrients for optimal health & growth including: calcium, potassium, iron, magnesium, monopotassium phosphate (good source of calcium-also found in Gatorade), manganese, boron, copper, zinc, & molybdenum.

This is the 13th year the Augustyns' have been operating their hydroponic greenhouse.
Congratulations on their success!


magnificent red, yellow, orange & green bell peppers
[I also saw lettuce, basil and mini cukes!]

  • Hydroponic = No harmful pesticides or herbicides.
  • Hydroponic = Controlled nutrients provides bigger, brighter, & healthier fruits and vegetables.
  • Hydroponic= Cuts down on soil-borne diseases.
  • Hydroponic=Uses less water than conventional agriculture.
  • Hydroponic= Healthy for you & the environment.
From the greenhouse to my plate. Beautiful tomatoes & mini cukes.

When you buy from a local grower, you know where your food comes from.

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