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Dregs for Plants and Plans for a New Food Co-op

When it comes to environmentalism we Angelenos are not exactly known to be heavily invested. Quite the opposite. L.A. is synonymous with cars and freeways and too many miles driven - and that's just one aspect.

The other day I was leafing through this month's issue of Whole Living magazine when a reader's suggestion caught my eye: Etienne L. is telling us that he has started to collect "all the dregs" in his family of four's water glasses "to take care of the house plants". Etienne simply empties "the last drips into a pitcher instead of pouring them down the drain". He thereby saves "enough water for (his) indoor plants and potted herb garden". Now that's what I call commitment.

Dregs for plants. Etienne is from San Francisco of course (Oakland, to be precise). We in L.A. could never pull that one off - but it's not like we don't try to be green. At least some of us.

Take an enterprise called Arroyo Food Co-op in Pasadena, one of the cities on the northern edge of Los Angeles county. The cooperative is still in the works but members are being recruited and the coop's initiator, Patrick Reagan, hopes for a community owned store to be up and running soon. The market would offer "truly local food" from "local farmers and food companies - from right here in town to a few hours away". Sounds like a plan to me. That way at least our food would stay off of airplanes and far away freeways.
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Reese said…
My uncle uses coffee dregs for his treasured mango tree. Not sure if it is true, but his mangoes always turn out to be the sweetest.
March 17, 2011 at 6:37 PM
debi said…
Christina,

Our local (right here in Frisco) farmer's market will open in a couple weeks. I'll be there the first Saturday.

I so enjoy the fresh, inexpensive goods and that I am supporting the local economy.
March 18, 2011 at 6:47 AM
Christina Schweighofer said…
I love the farmers' market. Mangoes too!
March 24, 2011 at 6:09 PM
debi said…
Hmm... I wonder if we could figure a way to grow mangoes and avacodos here...?
March 24, 2011 at 6:17 PM
Christina Schweighofer said…
Avocados grow very well in California. Mangoes? I doubt it. That's the thing about going local: no grapes in winter, no mangoes, papayas, or even bananas... It involves a whole new way of thinking.
March 24, 2011 at 6:32 PM
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