Eating in good conscience

It amazes me the number of people who fall victim to the industrial food system everyday, never really giving much thought to how their choices affect society and the world as a whole. We live in a culture that values quantity over quality and everything is based on getting the most "stuff" for the "cheapest price".  Take for example the simple act of purchasing a dozen eggs.  On one side, you have people who pick up a dozen from their local supermarket for 99 cents, ultimately supporting factory farms, and never think anything about it. On the other side, you have those who purchase their eggs locally, from farmers' markets or who raise chickens themselves for the sole purpose of fresh eggs.  The eggs cost more, but in the long run, I believe, it's a small price to pay.

What really scares me is that there is so much going on in the industrialized food system that the average consumer is completely unaware of.  Sure, we hear things in the media when some crisis happens that is connected to the industrial food system such as  the outbreak of swine flu or salmonella poisoning from eggs produced in a factory farms.  However, when the focus is diverted by something else, people lose interest and go back to their old ways of eating.

We live in a time where you can purchase tomatoes and strawberries in January. The real question is, should we? As a cook, I love cooking with the seasons and planning my menus based on what looks fresh at the market or in the garden.  I love the time it takes to gather fresh ingredients and prepare the evening meal.  I enjoy making bread from scratch and value the time I spend with my family at the table.

I think the world would be a better place if more people would strive to eat honest food;  meat that is raised humanly, without antibiotics or hormones, by farmers who practice sustainable agriculture and produce that is grown locally without the use of pesticides.  It would be a small step, but I feel, it would make a big difference.

It is up to each of us to educate ourselves on the reality of our industrial food system and take the necessary steps to ensure the health of our families and the health of the planet.   I for one, am looking forward to this upcoming Ted^x conference: Changing the Way We Eat.  It is a one-day event that will highlight several aspects of the sustainable movement and the work being done to shift our food system from industrially-based agriculture to one in which healthy, nutritious food is accessible to all.

 

 

Comments

[kimberly at mimicharmante]

Absolutely LOVE this post my friend! There is such a disconnect between the food we eat and where it comes from - especially here in the states. I too am trying to become more aware, raise more of my own produce (we already have chickens), and really attempt to eat as seasonally as possible. It is a challenge during the winter months but it is a fun challenge (most of the time...) and it will hopefully influence our four boys to live their lives in the same manner.
Thanks for a wonderfully inspiring post to start the week!
K.

[Marjorie@The Cook's Atelier]

Hello Kimberly,

Glad you enjoyed my moment on the "soapbox". :^) It really is about being aware and, I believe, we all can make a difference.

Wishing you a wonderful week in your little corner of the world.

M

[Stephany]

Couldn't have said it better. I feel we as Americans make so many hurtful yet unconscious decisons everyday relating to food. Sometimes I feel Americans only care to a certain degree.

[Marjorie@The Cook's Atelier]

Hello Stephany,

Thank you for your comment. We certainly have a way to go. Hopefully, by education, we can help others realized the real cost of our industrial food system.

Each of us can help by supporting our local farmers markets and small farms who practice sustainable agriculture.