Procuring Food for the Fam

A large portion of our shopping is done in Nairobi (roughly every 6 weeks) and there are some basic items (sugar, flour, oil, toilet paper, etc.) that can be purchased in Bomet (about a 10-minute drive).  At Tenwek, there is a local "market" where you can purchase produce.  There are also some small dukas (shops) to buy other items.  However, there are ladies who regularly come right to our homes to sell produce.  How convenient for us!  I want to introduce you to some of the wonderful people who frequent our doors.

Elizabeth (left) comes a couple times a week, usually with bananas (about $0.25 for a bunch) and/or pineapple (about $0.50 each).  Joseph (right) manages a local orphanage and sells eggs to produce revenue.  A dozen eggs cost 120 shillings (about $1.50).

Shadrach brings cilantro, carrots, and beets (not sure if he's ever been able to convince anyone to buy the beets!).

Lilly (left) is most noted for her spinach, but she also brings squash and other veggies from time to time.  Caroline (right) is who I rely on most.  She works as a househelper for the Whites, but comes every Tuesday with pineapple, onions, tomatoes, green pepper, and big mangoes that can be hard to find locally.

Grace brings passion fruit, lettuce, spinach, butternut squash, and carrots.  She regularly tries to get me to buy a basket too, especially when we have visitors.

Most people here use fresh cow's milk since it's about 4 times cheaper than boxed milk.  John and I haven't quite been able to make the plunge.  The kids drink it and we use it for cooking, but we're not a fan of drinking it plain or with cereal.  The Faders and McLaughlins are hard-core missionaries and have made the switch.  

We get 2 liters of milk brought to our door every weekday (3 liters on Fridays).  Usually, your househelper arranges to have your milk brought to your house.  For some reason, we ended up with a milk merry-go-round.  Our househelper (Sammary) brings milk to the Faders, the Fader's househelper (Edna) brings milk to the McLaughlins, and we get our milk from Lily (pictured above).

Here you see Abi carrying the McLaughlin's milk container.  Note the "Bioclean: Heavy Duty Cleaner" on the label.  Hmmm....  If Maggie starts to grow some big, hairy moles we'll know why!

All of these folks were quite astonished when I told them that we never get food brought to our door in America.  They gladly obliged when I asked for their photo to tell all of you about them.  Several promptly asked for a copy of their picture!  :)