Food. It’s always on my mind. When’s my next meal? What will I cook? Where will I dine? Thoughts about how wonderful something tastes or how strange it looks or how much work went into it, but lately I have been really consumed with some greater questions revolving around food. The collective mindset of humans is shifting in regards to food. As consumers we are beginning to question where our food comes from, who makes it, what it is, what is really in here? Who is really benefiting most from me eating this? And how does all that affect health and society in general?
It is about time we take it upon ourselves to pose these questions, and I think it is a sign of progress and growth that our nation desperately needs. These “food” issues and the much larger issues that stem out from there are on my mind all the time. I feel passionate about trying to explain it to others and continue to educate myself. I try to make my decisions and begin my ideas keeping in mind the forward movement that must happen in this area of life. This wonderful area of eating!
I believe so greatly that what we eat matters. Where it comes from, what it is treated with, how it is produced and distributed, who is making major decisions, and how we, as people can maintain control over it. We are what we eat, literally! That which goes in us fuels us and in turn, shapes our minds and bodies, and often action and behavior.
It is so clear to me! It makes perfect sense and it will be fun and most of all it will taste good. Food that is fresh is just plain and simple better than food that has been frozen, reheated, left out, transported etc. not to mention the amount of oil and industry it takes to transport food across the country, or import and export so that it’s always in season. (Or for reasons unrelated to staying fed, like industry for industry sake. Each year in the US we export 1.1 million tons of potatoes, yet we import 1.4 million tons, why not keep them at home?) Who needs Strawberries in January? I can do without, for they taste much better when they are fresh and local and free of chemicals!
Steven Hopp clearly states in the book Animal, Vegetable, Miracle:
“If every US citizen ate just one meal a week (any meal) composed of locally and organically raised meats and produce, we would reduce our country’s oil consumption by over 1.1 million barrels of oil every week. That ‘s not gallons, but barrels. Small changes in buying habits can make big differences. Becoming a less energy-dependent nation may just need to start with having a good breakfast.”
Fresh from the garden is far better, considering the work that goes into it will up the satisfaction factor, as well. Goethe wrote in The Sorrows of Young Werther:
“How good I feel that my heart can experience the simple, innocent bliss of a man who sets on his table a head of cabbage he has grown himself, and who now enjoys not the cabbage alone, but at one and the same time, enjoys once again all those good days, the morning on which he planted it, the lovely evenings when he watered it and when he took joy in its developing growth.”
There is a reality that the conversation about food has shifted dramatically in the past decade, and even more so in the past few years, and this is great. If this current conversation gives rise to an overall greater knowledge about food, and these complex questions around it, then it will have done some good. But I have a hope that it will do more. I hope that it will empower people and narrow the gap of inequality that exists around this necessary (and wonderful) fact of life: food.
I have chosen to take up my own form of education surrounding food matters and urban farming in general, and have recently completed a course in Permaculture Design. Each piece of information that I add to my mental library enriches my view of the grand scheme of things, in turn enriching life. I am taking the time now to sift through the myths and realities of the politics of farming and food and find what is best for me, for my body and mind.
This eighteen minute video is not only very funny and entertaining, but it is clearly and concisely explains a lot of things I am interested in learning more about and continually implementing in my life, as well as sharing with others in hopes that they will do the same! If you have time please watch this funny guy explain some simple truths about gaining power through gardening.
I have also chosen to add a few selected readings and resourses for anyone who wants to know more (or feel free to contact me with questions):
Grist article on consumers losing faith in big business: here
Interested in keeping money in your community? Read this
To find farmers’ markets and farm share programs go here
Environmental Working Group website, so helpful and informative: here
Industrial Tomatoes - this is an eye opening article about tomatoes. years ago I made a personal decision to pretty much avoid tomatoes when they are not in season. They taste so good when they are fresh and ripe! I will wait all winter for those yummy summer gems. This article not only solidifies that decision in a nutritional sense, but also in a serious social sense.
The Ethicurean - a resource for finding news and funny stories and ideas for cooking and keeping the food in your life healthy and fair.
Improving School Food - and article by the Environmental Working Group that clearly states the cost and benefit of implementing healthy and natural school lunches for public school kids in order to combat health issues and boost mental growth. I loved this article, I urge you to read it!
Michael Pollan's daily link - selected articles from news or other sources that caught the eye of food activist and writer Michael Pollan. Usually good stuff here.
Do you trust Monsanto? - this is one woman's eloquent analysis of the giant corporation Monsanto, the makers of agent orange and DDT, who have a heavy hand in policy making for food.
Civil Eats - another all around information and ideas website for all things green and food related.
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