You are using the word "strained" in a manner different than me. "Forced" would perhaps be better in this context. In short, the economic development of NYC food supplies is not a good model for demonstrating self-organization completely apart from intelligence or design.
Point taken. I will modify my response. I can understand your example, but it is strained if meant to show that self-organization can account for all of the intelligent design so evident in the universe.
At one time it was strained to consider that the earth revolved around the sun when we felt no motion and could see the sun move across the sky.
At one time it was strained to consider that airplanes could fly without angels holding them up.
At one time it was strained the mind to consider man could travel faster than the speed of sound without tearing his body apart.
That is the problem. For some straining the brain is too painful and they return to their ignorance.
So what? I don't see how it really matters -- insofar as debating the issue with you -- how good or bad a model is.
You've already stated, in #495, that "every particle of the universe expresses itself collectively in such a way as to manifest design and intelligence". Clearly, unless your claim about "every particle" is qualified as mere musing, or as a philosophical but not a scientific principle, then there is, a priori, no possible model that will be acceptable to you.