Moral Conundrum -- The "Bartering Eggs For Coffee" WILL HAPPEN!

[kinnip]

I think it's great to see people take a stab at self sufficiency. I'm trying to be more self-sufficient, but I'll never make it all the way. I require coffee, exotic spices and Spanish olive oil, but at least I'm trying to get the veggie, egg, dairy trifecta in hand. I've also started buying meat from a local farm. I figure half way is better than no way.

 

[patandchickens]

Hi Dangerouschicken,

actually yes I *have* been reading this whole thread, and that's why I haven't said anything til now -- because it's seemed like you were deciding that certain things (like coffee) were important enough to you to be exempt from the locavore thing. Which I can understand (tho for me it would be chocolate not coffee - I don't WANT to be that awake in the morning <g>)

What meant to be asking was just, I suppose, how bartering eggs for coffee is any different or better than just whipping out your wallet and buying it regular-style.

Perhaps I'm misunderstanding, though, and the fact that your bartering eggs for coffee (as opposed to buying it) is actually just a, what would you call it, coincidence, rather than being a necessary condition for coffee consumption?

Alaska animal lover, I was not intending to criticize anyone for eating more locally produced food. I try to do that too, you know, although without books and terminology and angst <vbg> I was just trying to find out if there was some rationale here that I was missing for this aspect of it -- the sort of 'gaming the system' -sounding part. But as I say, maybe I misunderstood the point of that. I dunno.

(edited to add: and Dangerouschicken is ENTIRELY right that freezing is much better than drying for many, perhaps most, herbs. Some of which in fact are just not worthwhile to dry at all. If you've got a freezer running anyhow, may as well fill the wee nooks and crannies with basil, if you ask me. Think of it as an economizing measure to keep the freezer running microscopically more efficiency by having it be microscopically fuller

)

Pat

 

[Alaska animal lover]

What meant to be asking was just, I suppose, how bartering eggs for coffee is any different or better than just whipping out your wallet and buying it regular-style.

Well, my answer to this would be the coffee guy has to get his eggs somewhere right? He also has to get the coffee he sells. Why not trade with someone and only ship the ONE item? He get's fresh local eggs, DC gets her coffee, and the only item taking a trip is the coffee he is going to buy anyhow.

BTW, I wasn't trying to isolate your post with my rant earlier. It was a general rant, not aimed at any one person.
Sorry if I came across that way.

 

[DuckyBoys]

Well, I think the point is to be aware and not just take things for granted even though - being that we live in this great country - we have the option of taking things for granted should we so choose.

I don't see myself living like Dangerouschicken but that is because I'm just way too busy and I have other higher priorities right now.

Nonetheless - I respect her commitment and think she and any one else who tries to do things like this should not feel bad if they decide to make an exception for something.

But yay for coffee in exchange for eggs.

Great solution.

 

[dangerouschicken]

Oh you silly posters always fighting over me

I'm just gonna do the barter cuz it is fun, and if I really want something that goes beyond the 100 mile thing, I thought that would be an interesting way to go about it. Yes, shipped just once, to this little local shop, where he roasts all the beans himself AND is willing to take a chance on some woman and her local eggs

Can I just say I am really into being online right now? It is beautiful outside and I am totally ignoring that because I love you all SO MUCH!

 

[patandchickens]

Quote:
There, see, that is why I asked, because I wanted to know if I was missing something here.

And I *was*, because I had TOTALLY not thought about the issue from the supply end of things, here. Indeed, Dangerouschicken is helping the coffee guy to eat locally produced eggs, and I can see where that should count for something.

Thank you!

Pat

 

[dangerouschicken]

YAY POSTER HAPPINESS!

I'm still in shock from that other thread where Portland Farmers Market eggs are selling for $7 a dozen.

 

[dacjohns]

Quote:
So did I and mostly in other threads.

 

[ruby]

I never had any luck with gardening. No green thumb here! But I have bartered my eggs for fresh veggies for years now. I know what I'm getting is fresh and so does my customer!

 

[dangerouschicken]

Ruby, I think that's great. I have found bartering works well with my brother, too. He grows LOTS of grapes and likes to make wine, but when I give him some fresh veggies, I always get some grapes in return