Eating locally
Posted by Liz Och
on August 3rd, 2009
Working on a CSA (community supported agriculture) farm during the summer, I spend a lot of my time thinking about food. The shaky dependence of mainstream agriculture on a few varieties of crops is a sure indicator that in order to truly “green” America, we will need to change our approach to food. Growing a small garden is a great way to become better acquainted with lettuce, garlic, and sugar snap peas, but if time or spatial constraints are a concern, being a member of a CSA or making regular visits to a local farmer’s market are great alternatives.
A picture from our annual garlic harvest- many people are surprised to learn that the head of garlic grows beneath the ground!
Knowing where your food comes from is about so much more than supporting the local economy- although that is surely an important consequence. To me, however, it is most important to know how to grow, harvest, and cook the food. No gourmet feast can compare to a green bean planted from seed, weeded and watered repeatedly, and finally picked from the plant in the heat of a summer day. It is a step towards something simpler- to a time before microwave dinners or carbon footprints. Perhaps most importantly, taking the time to learn the origin of your food can open up new avenues of acquaintences and friendships with the people who brought that green bean from a small seed to a blossoming plant and, finally, to your dinner plate.