An Argument for Local Food, Part II
Written by Rocky Mountain Woman on January 27, 2012 – 7:22 am -
For the beginning of this essay, please click “She Loves”
Obesity is a health crisis in America. Robert Paarlberg writes in his book on food politics, “Between 1971 and 2000, the rate of obesity in the United States doubled from 14.5 percent to 30.9 percent, and 5 percent of all adults are now severely obese”. The causes behind this dramatic rise are complex, but a great deal of the blame can be laid at the feet of industrial food. The proliferation of packaged, processed food and fast food has lead to a dramatic increase in the number of calories the average American consumes which in turn leads to obesity and often eventually diabetes. Simply put, families that live with extreme food insecurity tend to eat the least expensive food they have access to. Typically the cheapest food available to poor urban families who live miles away from a grocery store, many of whom don’t own a car, is fast food or processed food. The effect on our health is sobering. According to an article in the Palm Beach Post, “At least 1 out of 8 federal dollars spent on providing health care go to treat diabetes and its complications”.
It’s obvious to any thinking person that something has to change. Industrial farming, with its dependence on chemicals and fossil fuels, despite claims to the contrary, is simply not sustainable on our planet for the long term. We are polluting our land, air and water, and using large amounts of fossil fuel, all for the convenience of a microwaveable dinner. Sometimes progress is not really progress at all.
to be continued…
Posted in She Loves | 9 Comments »
January 27th, 2012 at 8:25 pm
In Australia we are not far behind you in the obesity stakes. In our family we never eat takeaway, we cook from scratch so we know what we’re eating and we don’t buy fast food (unless on a road trip where there’s now no alternative). But I know that there are many others who don’t live this way. And it’s such a shame because people are losing touch with what real food actually is and if they do face it, they don’t know what to do with it. But how to change things is like probably like trying to turn around the Titanic.
January 28th, 2012 at 5:28 am
I agree with Hotly Spiced. I don’t see a quick fix on the growing obesity rates. Just saw a show where it is effecting or pets also.
The poor may not have a choice but those of us who can afford to, still don’t eat properly.
January 28th, 2012 at 6:07 am
Having been brought up around farms, I’m accustomed to eating locally-grown foods. Green markets popping up all over are helping, but as I’ve said before, this kind of eating is not cheap and times are tough.
January 28th, 2012 at 9:10 am
Barbara,
I agree. It’s amazing that it is cheaper to eat a tomato from Mexico than it is to eat one from the farm down the street. I think we need an entirely different way of looking at our food supply, a complete shift in thinking. I’m not sure how we can accomplish it, but I think it essential to our children’s future that we figure it out.
xxoo,
RMW
January 28th, 2012 at 1:23 pm
Eating processed and foods with little or no nutrition is a destroyer of health. Yet, many people want only the immediate gratification of sweet or junk that in the end might cause a medical problem. Most people realize what’s good for them and what’s not but put off making any changes and just take the path to instant gratification. I think this happens no matter what the economic level.
January 29th, 2012 at 7:38 pm
I agree like you said not sure how to accomplish it but we must for the future generations.
Yes even pets are now having weight problems like their owners. My Tinkerbell is having weight issues just like me.
Hope you have a wonderful week. I have to catch up with you while I am here
Love ya
Maggie
February 1st, 2012 at 7:23 am
Living in Florida we have access to fresh fruits and vegetables all year long. But even with a farmer’s market with a mile of the house I still see too many children in my neighborhood eating “junk food” more often than not. Our schools should be teaching children to eat right, but too many of them have eithter McD’s or Pizza as their lunch option. Cheaper to do that than provide a balanced lunch.
February 3rd, 2012 at 6:02 am
Wonderful photos on your blog. Yes, we do need to eat better. Enno and I feel much better when we eat natural foods with very little done to them. Keep warm in Colorado! xo Jenny
February 4th, 2012 at 11:57 am
I heartily concur. We need good, local food available to everyone at reasonable prices. I think the first step is for those of us who are able to start voting with our wallets in favor of organic, local food, but eventually we need to change farm policy so that federal money doesn’t go to factory farms raising GMO crops and CAFOs. Can’t wait to read the next part of the essay. Keep up the good work spreading the word.