If you are anything like me, you are very leery of anything man-made that is supposed to be “ok” for our consumption.  Ever hear of Edipeel?  (ALSO, APEEL)

Edipeel is a colorless, odorless, tasteless coating for fruit and vegetables that’s composed entirely of a mixture of food-grade glycolipids, derived from edible plant oils that we are “assured” is entirely safe to eat (hmmm do you believe that)? The coating slows down water loss and oxidation, keeping the fruit and vegetables fresher for up to two times longer.

Read the marketing hype and you’ll be thinking Edipeel is made from plant-derived materials such as peels, seeds, pulp and stems from fruits and vegetables that have already been processed or leftover after harvest. The reality is somewhat different.

Edipeel utilizes an emulsifier known as E471 composed of purified monoglycerides and diglycerides, which is widely used in highly processed baked goods, ice creams and infant formulas to stop oil and water from separating and extend the shelf-life of products.  This product will undoubtedly extend the life of fruit and vegetables, but at what overall cost to people’s health?

The arrival of Apeel in the marketplace reminds us of the many reasons to prioritize our purchase and consumption of local, traditionally produced, organic (check with suppliers to see if they are using Apeel products), biodynamic and chemical-free foods wherever possible.

With this being said, now is the perfect time to grow your own produce and herbs!   It can be done practically anywhere and with the help of the experts at the Marshall County Co-op, you can start your own little piece of heaven in your back or front yard, your porch or anywhere else where there is full sun. You can plant it in the ground, on a raised garden bed, in a water trough (available at the Co-op) or in pots and buckets. The Co-op has all the supplies that you may need to get started, including vegetable plants, fruit trees, herbs and so much more.

Growing your own food has become so popular!  With the popularity of the farm to table movement and the growing concern about the growing use of dangerous pesticides, more people are discovering the joys and benefits of growing their own veggies, fruits and herbs! 

Growing your own food can be such a rewarding experience.  Not only does it allow you to eat fresh, healthy produce, but it can support your mental health by reducing stress and anxiety and boost your mood!  It also can save you money in the long run!   

When you grow your own food, you are in control and know exactly where it comes from and what has been used to grow it.  You control the quality of the soil, the use of pesticide and fertilizers. 

It also can be cheaper to grow your own food. There are some costs in the beginning (seeds, plants, soil, tools, etc.) but it pays off when you get a bountiful crop!  

There are also other benefits of a garden due to being outdoors a lot more, which can reduce stress and anxiety, boost your mood, and support self-esteem and mindfulness.  You may find your stress levels actually improving each day you are connecting to nature in your garden area.   

Gardening…it can provide you a sense of accomplishment and pride! 

If you are interested in starting your own garden, but don’t know where to begin, stop by the Marshall County Co-op.   They would love to help you get started and can supply you with everything you will need.