This subject is so huge I cannot seem to focus on one point. The title of this challenge was going to be “It’s Winter. Eat Apples.” but as I got to writing, seven paragraphs later I realized that our food problems went far beyond just the miles it was shipped to get to us. There’s genetically modified organisms, tons of pesticides being dumped on crops, forests being destroyed for meat, horrific cruelty to animals in the livestock, poultry, and dairy production, and the SAD (Standard American Diet) of over-processed, over-packaged foods killing us. As a country we are over-fed and under-nourished, our planet is in peril, and we cannot continue on the path we have been on of corporate produced food.
I learned at a conference that there was a UN study, supported by over 400 organizations, to figure out how to end famine, and what the future of food would be. Companies like Monsanto, who have patents on GMO seed, were sure that the study’s conclusion would find that their genetically-modified organisms would feed the world. It turned out the conclusion was the opposite- that it was small local organic farms that would do it.
Why haven’t we heard about this report? It was immediately suppressed. And you can imagine why. And information that is suppressed by big governments and corporations is information that I believe in. (Do I sound like an anarchist? Well, yes, I do believe I may be becoming one.) And so I offer the following things to keep in mind when you buy your food:
Local.
Yes, the transportation miles is something to consider, but another reason to eat local is, it is great for local economies. We need our local farms to prosper. Our energy future is uncertain to say the least and right now we are still highly dependent on fossil fuels. The more we transition our economy to a local level, the more we will insulate ourselves from a precarious future. When the price of fuel skyrockets, we will be glad to have established local farms feeding us, and we need to support them now so they will be there. Joining a CSA group (Community Supported Agriculture) makes this very easy.
Organic.
Organic may have first seemed a posh food choice, but can we really expect to put so many chemicals into our environment and bodies and expect that to sustain life?
Non-GMO Foods.
There is a lot to say about Genetically-Modified Organisms. This is a wonderful site to start with.
Go Vegan.
This might sound radical, but consider this: Americans eat a lot of meat. China and India are developing and they want to be like Americans and also eat a lot of meat. There is not enough land to produce the amount of animals for all of these people to consume. And millions of people are starving the world over. If crops were being raised to feed people instead of livestock, there would be enough food for all. That simple logic alone is enough for me to not eat animals or by-products but there is a selfish reason as well: all of the diseases caused by eating meat, and cured by a vegan diet. Many popular books have been written on the subject and I encourage anyone to read them: The China Study is a particularly good one. To adopt a vegan diet one only needs to get some great cookbooks, and I promise, you will not be limited!
Don’t Watch Commercials.
You will think Big Macs and sugary cereals “fortified with vitamins” are good for you. It’s not your fault- it’s brainwashing and we are all susceptible. Skip the commercials and you will stay stronger in your convictions to eat better for you and the planet!
Now I turn the discussion over to you. We could all use help here- there is always room for improvement and growth- so if you have any tips or recipes, food sources or CSA information to share please post a comment here.
