A Naked Truth
Taking One for the Team
Dear Reader,
Confession time: I spent $90+ tax on 15 grocery line items this week. It was not on impulse, but by design. Recently a mom friend appeared on Shark Tank for her disposable plastic-free grocery store, Nude Food Market. Her (and co-founder Rachel Irons) pitch was simple: there is no future for humanity if we continue to rely on plastics to hold, harness, and heat our food. It’s true that we become what we eat. Microplastics are everywhere. Yesterday a report came out saying that microplastics were found in a pregnant woman’s placenta, linking it to an increase in miscarriage. I think there can be a better way.
Verity is nothing if not eco-consistent. When our kids were in preschool, she told me to turn off my car to avoid huffing. Last summer she saw me opening a plastic bag with a disposable fork. She charged me like a soldier in battle, not to shame me, but to offer a metal fork she was waving in the air. I can’t say I get on board with all of her suggestions, but she has brought the issue into my consciousness, most recently with the screening of the film, Plastic People at a local hotel.
This week, Verity’s ST episode aired. The ask was typical: help us gain funding and give us your brain trust se we can take Nude Foods national. I decided it was high time to see what all the fuss was about so I purchased the following:
Cinnamon 4oz. $5.50 (I had been clinging to the Persian cinnamon for almost a year and used the last of it in Milla’s birthday chai today.)
Dijon Mustard 8oz. $3.25 (I was out).
Yellow Mustard 8oz. $1.80 (For turkey meatloaf and burgers).
Raspberry Jam 8oz $4.60 (On Trader Joe’s crumpets).
Frozen Corn $1.80 (I will turn this into inexpensive corn soup with gomashio).
Frozen Shelled Edamame 2 cups (M loves it with Tajin or soy sauce powder and lime).
Vegan Salted Caramel Gelato One pint (for a post-Lacrosse treat)
Frozen Peaches: 2 cups. $3.70 (for Habanero salsa).
Frozen Mangoes: 2 cups. $3.70(M’s go-to smoothie with bulk honey powder).
Housemade Granola: 2 Cups. $8.25 (I was out).
Fresh Arugula: Bag. $3 (dainty spring arugula is the best arugula around).
Recyclable Jar Deposit: $13.50 (they wash and clean and reuse for customers and I’m viewing this as an investment).
NOW LET’S GET TO THE (ORGANIC) MEAT OF THE ISSUE*:
Flank Steak: 1lb. $4.20pound. WHAT. Usually between $10-20/pound
Ribeye Steak: 1lb. $9.60/pound. WHAT. WHAT. Usually between $13-25/pound
Beef Short Ribs: 2 lbs. $3/pound. WHAT. WHAT. WHAT. $6-18/pound
Beef Marrow Bones: 2 lbs. $9/pound. I spent more because I understand they the have a lot of marrow which helps when M craves a treat like my bone marrow risotto.
So as you can see, I came out ahead of the market. ($98.65-13.50 jar investment-$37.80 median meat/pound = $47.35.) In this economy, the meat savings makes me want to apply to become their butcher.
How did they fare on the show, you ask? Were O’Leary and Co. swayed?
TLDW:
Congrats to this tenacious team. If you’d like to become a STOCKED subscriber, use the code, NUDEFOODS at checkout.
*Update: I later found out these prices were listen in error.