This is Day 328 of the Green in 365 series!
By Sara from Your Thriving Family, Contributing Writer
Don’t you love homemade foods? That seems to be a huge selling point when looking at labels in stores. “Tastes just like homemade!”
Well, we don’t always have time to make the variety of things we’d like to try ourselves – and let’s face it we all have different talents. Maybe you are a great cook, but not such a good baker.
Image used with permission from Dallas Taste of Honey Food Swappers
Well, I have a frugal, green and delicious solution for you!
A few months back I ran across some interesting pictures on Instagram. And got a little curious and asked some questions – the answer was the Food Swap Network!
Through their site you can find a group of like-minded, and geographically close, foodies to swap your homemade goods with. Most groups meet once a month. You get to meet new people, taste great food and get to bring home those items you like the most.
How it Works
You bring a set amount of your homemade goods. These could be things you grow in your garden, honey if you have bees, eggs if you have chickens, baked goods, canned goods or whatever else you can think of! You provide samples of your goods and people write down what they want to swap for your yumminess! Then you choose!
Other Perks
The great thing about a food swap is that it provides community; being able to meet those with different talents and learning from them. The group in my area includes people with canning expertise, something I have been a little resistant to try (at least pressure canning, water bath isn’t so bad.)
Best of all you get to spread your resources. Sometimes you end up having to purchase a large container of something, when you only need a tablespoon – like when making hummus and you need sesame paste. Well, since you are making for more than just you, there’s no waste! And you get to share with others!
Start Your Own
Maybe you don’t see one near you? You can start an impromptu one with friends, or officially sign up to host one here. All you need is a little willingness and some space.
Have you participated in some sort of swap? Clothing, freezer meals, food or otherwise? What was most satisfying for you?
Sara is a full-time mama to three beautiful, sweet & mischievous blessings. Wife of 8 years to a man who has an amazing heart for working with youth. She is a homemaker, gardener, chicken-raiser, doul
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The barter economy is strong in Indianapolis! Two of my favorite things to participate in are the Indy Food Swap and Trade School Indy. The food and knowledge are great but, for me, the most satisfying thing is the camaraderie. The *vibe* of the bartering community is refreshing to the soul.
Check them out:
http://www.indyfoodswappers.com/
http://tradeschool.coop/Indianapolis/class
Interesting idea! I’ve never heard of this being formally organized for strangers, but I’ve done it with friends, church, or moms’ group.
What’s kind of missing from this post is, “How is it green?” You did mention that making larger quantities can prevent waste. It also might use your cooking energy more effectively (baking 6 loaves of bread in the same oven you’d use to bake 1). But I find that often when people plan to give food to someone, they put it in a single-use disposable container. A greener option is to wash out food jars and use them to package your food–which I see, actually in the photo: red beans & rice in a Classico spaghetti sauce jar! For eggs, cartons can be reused a number of times if none of the eggs break.