Eating the OLD way (only local diet)
Today, at breakfast Bug, Logan and I sang “Happy Birthday” to the few onion seedling who have successful sprouted. Quirky, I know but for us it is a celebration of beginning of a challenge we have decided to do, eating Only Local Food. We are still setting our rules but we want 90% of our diet to be grown within a 40 miles radius of our house. Sound easy but the more I think of where are going to get rice? flour? sweet peppers and fresh fruit in winter? I more I realize how challenging this will be. Why put this much effort into our food as the SAD (Standard American Diet) is readily available all-season, all-day at WalMart, why be different? There is a few reasons:
Local Food is undeniable healthier for you. Eating food that was harvested just minutes before you consume it has the most nutrients. We have been going through a food journey with the intent of being the healthiest and productive people we can. We have been switching to local foods slowly through the last few years, although we rely on the grocery store ALOT. I truly believe (and studies show) you are what you eat. Food traveling across countries borders, staging in warehouses, trucking across countries can not be the nutrient-dense vegetables and fruits we believe they are.
Local Food supports local farmers, who support the local economy, who support the community. We don’t like Big Industry. I have lived in Big Ag, avoid Big Pharma, and really don’t trust anything that is a commercialized giant, I believe the Amish is rubbing off on us. So this will be putting our money where our mouth is.
To expose the Rural American Food Desert. Where we live is in a USDA certified food desert, meaning there is limited access to fresh fruits and vegetables. Really, there is a limited access to anything that is not ultra-processed. Rural America is declining, statistics say there are more deaths than births and high poverty levels in most rural counties. Yet, in almost every courthouse across the countryside are a wall of photos from less than 100 years ago. These pictures show cars lined around the town square representing an economical sound, thriving small town. People remember these towns having doctors, grocery stores, sustainable businesses. This has all changed in recent history. I would like to find out why but for now I want to explore the challenges of eating fresh, locally produce whole foods in a rural food desert.
We are going start June 1 2025-June 1 2026. As we have nothing prepared, we will start with the growing season. If any of this interest you, tag a long. Theres always a place at our table.
