Food and Community

Food shapes our communities in so many ways. In my community, different organizations and groups are striving to create a more sustainable environment. Local produce is one such way that we can create a community.

As any person what they like to eat and they will almost definitely answer. Food creates conversations that shape our community. Conversations are about community. Food is a linking force between all people, no matter what their interest. Food is an elemental force.

I spent time last Summer reading Barbara Kingsolvers book, "Animal Vegetable Mineral" This book stakes the hundred mile diet one step further. It is a fantastic book about how her family moved back to a family farm and began to farm and be apart of the local community. The family ate everything that they grew, including chickens and turkeys. Perhaps its an extreme example of learning about food and the conversation that goes with food, but it raises an important point about knowing where our food comes from and how it is grown. http://www.animalvegetablemiracle.com/

I have been growing vegetables ever since I was a child in my grandmother's garden. She gave me peas to plant with my brother and it was our summer job to plant and maintain the peas. I remember how excited we were to eat the peas we grew and this love of gardening has been with me ever since. My own children love gardening now too and are very excited to see the vegetables growing in the garden in the Summer. To pass this on further to schools and to teach children how to grow their own food in school is an exciting idea that is growing in strength across north america. 

We have a very active farmers market in my city. Every week many many people come to meet, pass time and hang out. People come to talk with those who produce our food. Please take a moment to watch this amazing video on farming in Northern Ontario http://www.foodsecurityresearch.ca/index.php?pid=175

The Farmers market is about meeting friends and learning about where our food comes from, a subject that is really not that well understood by many people in today's society.

Learning about our food and our place in community can help increase a sense of belonging to place. To regain a sense of connectedness that has been lost. Richard Louv's talks about this disconnect in his book, "Last Child in the woods" where we are no suffering from nature deficit disorder, a disconnect with nature. 

We are also lucky in our city to have a growing Food Coop. This is located on Bay Street and sells locally produced products at discounted prices for members. 

So, next time you strike up a conversation with a stranger, maybe you should ask them what they like to eat. You never know, you may share a common interest in locally produced food?