You made the connection between food and health, and you’ve chosen to eat organic, at least some of the time. Now take the next step and connect your food to the land it came from and the people who grew it.
If you’re a South Florida locavore, you may be aware of farms in the Redland area, but you may not have had an opportunity to visit one. Now you can! This blog will document Redland Organics growers and their organic (or non-chemical) farms; and CSA members, locavores, and other interesting people in the larger landscape of local food concerns.
My name is Marian and when I ramble through Redland, I feel like I’ve come home. For several years I’ve been eating locally during season, thanks to Redland Organics CSA. Right away I fell in love with the beautiful, super-fresh vegetables and started photographing them. Next, I visited Bee Heaven Farm and met Farmer Margie and her hard working crew of volunteers and interns. Since that first visit, I’ve been coming back again and again, making friends and tasting good things, photographing veggies and filming events in and around Bee Heaven. I’ve also had the great opportunity to meet the growers of Redland Organics who provide food for the weekly CSA shares. Each and every one of them is outspoken about food, the land, or health issues. I want to share their stories using words, photos and an occasional short video.
Hopefully this blog will provide an opportunity for conversation and community among growers, CSA members and locavores. I’ve discovered that people who are attracted to local and/or organic food are passionate and knowledgeable, and have interesting things to say about food and related issues. I’ve met some of you at farmer’s market, or CSA pickup sites, or Slow Food Miami events, and I hope to meet more of you through this blog.
Originally this project was going to be a documentary film about Redland Organics CSA, thus the occasional video clips. I’ve researched and planned that project for a few years, and it might still become a film if I can raise enough funds to finish.
Redland Rambles 
Hey Marian,
This is Shannon who was an intern at Bee Heaven during the past winter. Remember? Your blog is awesome! I’m so glad to have found it (through Hani on Facebook).
Hope you’re doing well. I miss the potlucks and your pies.
Shannon
Hey Shannon,
Yes, I remember you! Great to hear from you! Hope all is well.
Glad you like the blog. It’s a lot more fun than a documentary because I post whatever’s going on, and writing doesn’t take as long. (Margie and Rachel are blog authors too.) When I get time to sort through all my tapes, will start posting short videos.
Good to hear that you’re in touch with Hani. I miss those awesome potlucks that you and your sister organized. They were something special. 🙂
Be well,
Marian
Hi Marian.
I met you last night at the Cinematheque for the showing of Food Inc. I was right behind you on the line. It was great meeting you and learning of your sight and blog.
It’s great! What a wonderful resource.
Thanks,
Neal
Hi Neal,
I remember you! 🙂 Thanks for visiting the blog, and check back now and then. Am working on a review of Food Inc. and FRESH for one of the next posts, and will blog about the actual farms of Redland Organics CSA once the growing season is under way. Good luck getting a food garden into your kid’s school. What a fun learning opportunity! Slow Food Miami and farmer Margie Pikarsky are also great resources.
Best,
Marian
Hey Lady,
Cograts I love the format it’s awesome!
So glad you finally did it……
Listen I know it’s late notice but what are you doing tomorrow at 11am? My partner Mercy Guitan Capote, and I are launching our healthy school lunch program, Greenrocks Foods, LLC. at St Patrick’s Catholic School in Miami Beach. I’d love for you to come and eat lunch with us and maybe whip out your camera to film the kids’ reactions to the new school lunch. We are basing our program on Chef Anne Cooper from Berkeley, CA she is the Chef that spearheaded Alice Water’s edible school garden. If you can’t make it tomorrow let me know what’s good for you…Btw Slow Food Miami and the Miami Herald are coming to lunch too!
Thanks for all your support!
Adri Garcia
Executive Chef
Greenrocks Foods, LLC.
Mise en Place, LLC.
786-368-3479