"If we do not permit the earth to produce beauty and joy, it will in the end not produce food, either. Joseph Wood Krutch"
I saw that quote online today and once I read it, I had a moment. Those who know me, know that I have a larger than life passion for food. I adore it, I grow it, I savor it, I love sharing it with friends, and I just have a plain 'ole crush on it. It's a win-win relationship really. I take care of it, it takes care of me.
So when I took that moment to reflect, I suddenly felt really good about the packed lunch I had brought. I've been reading a lot of articles lately about the world's food production; higher temperatures and changing rainfall patterns, results that will threaten food production in many parts of the world; especially regions already struggling with food security, according to one I read today. They are all in agreement. Higher temperatures are stunting growth and contributing to the higher than normal food prices. Everywhere.
So for the 4th time this week, I got the warm fuzzies about buying and eating local. The way I see it is, support the local producers, and they will support you. If we try to eat local as much as possible, even adopt "Meatless Monday" weekly, we can have a huge impact on our community, regional, provincial and country-wide food production.
I got so worked up in the grocery store the other day, when I wanted shrimp but then I looked at the label of the frozen shrimp in the store (because I look at the label of everything these days), I gasped.
From India? From Thailand? From China?
Why in the world am I paying for wasted energy and resources and force polution into the sweet air of Mother Nature to transport this luscious shellfish to my plate, just so I can have shrimp for dinner? This type of shellfish is not available to me at home, we don't farm it in Canada. Alas! Here is, in a frozen chunk in a plastic bag, in my local grocery store. Yummmm.
I guess I just feel guilty and I can't buy it, I won't buy it.. and I've walked past it each time I go into the store because I won't support it.
So what am I saying? What does weakening food production, the environment and shrimp have to do with each other? It requires change.
It's simple. We spend too much time, energy and precious money on importing foods just because they are a 'nice' to have.
``For many people, adjusting purchasing and consumption behaviour to be more socially and environmentally responsible is a difficult transition to make. While the issue for Canadians, surpassed only by healthcare,environment ranks as the second most important Canada’s track record on environmental responsibility paints an entirely different image. Canada consumes the largest amount of energy on a per capita basis worldwide and is the second largest producer of greenhouse gases after the United States. For many social scientists, this incongruity is familiar—it is common for what people say to be at odds with how they actually behave.`` (http://www.coolersolutionsinc.com/images/foodsustainability2011_may13.pdf)
I too, believe you have a choice. A choice to learn about what your region produces, how it produces it, when it's available for harvesting etc... A very little research goes a very long way. Let the 'fruits of your labour", literally pay off. Eat locally, embrace the different fruits and veggies produced that you probably would never pick up in the grocery store because you don't know how to cook it, or have no idea what it is.
I know that by buying locally, I haven't forced any unwanted pollution into the air, and my carbon-footprint is reduced. That I have contributed. I have helped put money into the farmers pockets, so they can continue to produce this amazing spread before me. I feel good, I know they appreciate it, I know that I'm giving back to the earth by supporting what it grows. Simple... organic... goodness. Ever made your favourite pasta, but with locally grown, organic produce and herbs? It's unlike anything else. Unbelievable. Ohhh, the freshness.
Ever looked into what grows locally?
Do a little research, find out what's growing around you. Inquire how to get it, how to grow it, and best of all, how to eat it. Isn't that the best part? If we don't let the earth do it's thing, when it's supposed to, and how it's supposed to, it may not be "Till death do us part". I'm fairly certain it's not us that will go first. There are several sites that will guide you to whats currently growing, and what's coming up. If you're in the Golden Horseshoe, I've listed a few here for your viewing pleasure.
http://www.peelregion.ca/scripts/gip/grown-farms.pl
http://www.chickabiddyacres.com/
"Local food initiatives can reduce the carbon footprint of our meals,create employment and strengthen local economies, provide tasty, nutritious produce, and help build community. It is a movement that is ‘growing’ across Canada." (Sustain Ontario)
So back to my packed lunch. I really feel like I'm making a difference. On the way home from camping this weekend, I stopped at a couple of local farm stores. They had various veggies, fruits, either some or all of their produce/baked/preserved goods were organic. I felt good about supporting them, about learning about the food they grow, and best of all,
...incorporating it into my next meal.
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locally-grown food and meet your neighbours! The Market is a joint effort overseen by the Stonegate Food Access Committee and managed by Stonegate CHC, in an attempt to bring fresh, local produce into the community. For a closer look at the Market