Thursday, July 9, 2009

Food Comes From Farms, Not Factories


As parents, we spend an inordinate amount of time talking about what kinds of foods our kids are eating or rather what kinds of foods they are still won’t eat. There’s cookbook after cookbook about how to sneak veggies into your kids without them knowing. My approach is I keep trying and trying and eventually, something will click and what do you know, The Little Miss is taking bites of something green and healthy. Do I wish it wasn’t such a struggle? Yes. Do I wish she would eat more vegetables? Yes. Do I wish she ate less Mac and Cheese? Yes. But does she eat really well? Yes. Very well. Very healthy and as much whole foods and organic as I can afford.

For the past several weeks, every Tuesday, after picking The Little Miss up from school, we go to our local farmer’s market and pick out our fresh produce for the week. She can’t wait to pick out an apple or nectarine and walks though the stalls with me. She gets to make choices. She picks fruit out and will find them washed and portioned out in her lunch box for the week. She gets excited about what she finds and shares stories with her friends. It’s a fun learning experience and she now knows that food comes from farms and not factories.

Is it more expensive than going to a supermarket? Yes and no. Dollar wise, it probably is. But the cost to the environment, it doesn’t even compare. Carbon footprints on food at the farmer’s market is low. We are getting food basically grown within a 50 mile (or in most cases much less) radius of our home, so transportation cost is minimal. There isn’t any packaging. You pick produce and fruit right out of bins so no plastic bags, no containers. We’re supporting our local farmers who work so hard. It’s not easy to work. It’s back breaking and they are so reliant on factors you can’t control. Bugs, fungus, weather.

The smells fill the air with sweetness. The colors burst. I feel alive and motivated to eat better.

This is what food is suppose to be. Fresh. Colorful. Inspiring.

10 comments:

Hanlie said...

I just read this quote tonight and it touched me quite profoundly: "Buying organic food means that a farm family somewhere isn't taking a hit with pesticide exposure."

Great post!

Tina said...

LOVE LOCAL PRODUCE. In fact, 2 of my own cherry tomatoes might be ready to dip in hummus tomorrow ;) Great post!

SL said...

I love going to the farmers' markets. It's on my list of to-dos each week!

Asianmommy said...

Good point. We need to get to our local farmer's market.

betty said...

I think that's neat how you are doing this with your daughter to give her that experience; I know the things my kids ate at your daughter's age is nothing compared to what they eat now; they do grow and mature and get better taste buds and make healthier choices (but it does take work to get them there; sounds like you are doing great with education your daughter :)

betty

Gigi said...

That is such a good idea to bring TLM to the farmer's market - good habits start early (as do bad ones - I am a living testament). All your efforts will have been so worth it in the long run.

Diana Swallow said...

awesome post!

Anonymous said...

I wish we had a Farmer's Market near us.
I really, really, really do.

This Mama Cooks! said...

The other cost savings of organic food is your and your family's health. Don't forget that - it's worth every penny.

Juice said...

Yes yes yes! I love how you are sharing this experience with your daughter.