It's no secret that our modern world faces challenges of unprecedented scope and earnestness, from environmental degradation, climate disruption, and mass extinctions, to issues of human health like obesity, global hunger, rampant cancer and heart disease. Most of us are eager to do something about these issues but simply don't know what to do. It often feels too overwhelming to combat or wide-sweeping to make a real impact. My solution to these very real feelings of hopelessness has been to target the source of these problems, for surely they must be connected. Everything is connected. And when I peaked just below the surface I quickly realized that our agricultural systems and food habits lie at the heart of it all.
To corroborate this claim, I offer a Ted Talk by Mark Bittman, a leading voice on everything food (check out his website, http://markbittman.com). In this talk, What's Wrong with What we Eat, Bittman does an excellent job summarizing the threats of our current food system on human and environmental health. It is 20 minutes and definitely worth the time:
So, yeah, that pretty much sums it up. Depressing, I know. But not really, because this presents an excellent opportunity for change! The solution is eating local! How wonderfully simple! And the best news is, here in New Hampshire we have a terrific food economy composed of incredible farmers and markets. Not just vegetables either, but eggs, meat, cheese, baked goods, jams, and many other delicious treats for our enjoyment.
Now, I know what you're thinking. New Hampshire has a relatively short growing season and really long winters. We can't possibly eat local all the time. And that may be true, but I argue that we should turn to local products as much as possible. It isn't an all or nothing type deal. Most of us will likely still need some things from the supermarket, but every time we choose local we contribute to positive change. Perhaps we will discover that it is far easier to eat a diet of mostly local products than we thought. I know that personally I have a lot to learn and many habits that need to change. I am writing this blog to get the ball rolling on local eating, for myself and for anyone who chooses to join me.
Overall, this blog will take a multi-layered approach to discussing the topic of food. Here are my main objectives:
-As far as considering the problems we face, I will highlight and discuss issues in our global food system as seen in news stories, videos, ted talks, documentaries, books, etc. I will be especially interested in looking at wastefulness in the food system and how it contributes to global hunger, the impact of Big Ag on climate change and environmental degradation, and issues of social injustice imbedded in food production processes. Our mainstream media, cable news programs, and politicians consistently ignore these issues, so to discuss them we will have to dig a little deeper. But it's worth it, so let's get to work!
-My family and I have recently signed on to receive a weekly CSA, or Community Supported Agriculture share, from the Kearsarge Mountain CSA. This is a program that is jointly run by two local farms, the Kearsarge Gore Farm and the Vegetable Ranch, LLC in Warner, NH (see websites on the sidebar of this page, under Food in NH). Each week I will receive my produce package, document what I get on this blog, and discuss how to store and use these products. Many of us have become disconnected from the source of our food (maybe we can blame the supermarket model for this?). Most of us don't recognize many vegetables, let alone know how to store them in our homes or use them to their full potential. I say it's high time we begin to redevelop general knowledge about our food, where it comes from and how to use it. I'd like to focus on how we can use our inner wisdom, intuition, and senses to reestablish a relationship with our food, learn to read our food and understand what it does for us. We can discuss arguments and scientific data but let's not forget how to interpret situations for ourselves to determine what is best for us!! This is my first time with the CSA, so it will be a learning experience for me too!
-I am very excited to introduce my method of cooking, which I call culinary bricolage. Basically I just fill my kitchen with stuff that I know I love to eat, and every time I make a meal I just wing it! Throw in a little of this, a little of that. I hope to show how culinary bricolage can reshape our experience with food as fun, creative, and meaningful, as well as teach us how to eat seasonally and use what's available around us.
Moreover, I hope this blog will be a center for dialogue, where people can discuss the issues raised and promote the local markets around them. I will always be open to suggestions, comments, questions, or any other form of conversation on the topic of food. I want the comments section to be poppin'! Let's redefine food as the link that binds us and the source that fuels us. Always moving forward, we can, and must, take positive action to build healthier families and communities on this planet. It all starts with the flow of information and ends with the food on our plates. Let's talk and let's eat!!!
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