Today we’re celebrating Earth Day!
I think it’s important to reflect on how our everyday food choices affect our planet.
As I begin another season of gardening, I enter the season with a greater understanding of the issues surrounding our global food system. The conveniences of going to the grocery store and purchasing whatever produce you need at any point in time has a global impact spanning broad issues from basic human rights to the environment and biodiversity, even to immigration. We owe that convenience – for the most part- to big agriculture controlled by multinational companies. We are so very lucky to have these conveniences or are we? At what cost?
You’ve probably seen the petitions going around for GMO labeling (genetically modified organisms) and perhaps you’ve seen the multitude of documentaries on the state of our food system and the resulting health issues – Food, Inc., Open Sesame, GMO OMG, Dirt, etc. Or maybe you’ve seen the report by the LA Times about human rights violations on tomato farms in Mexico (here). It’s all alarming. If you haven’t started paying attention- start now.
Water and food are our two basic necessities. Starting with the seed itself, multi-national corporations are patenting and controlling how and what we nourish ourselves with – pushing out small farmers worldwide and creating more hunger with a free market system designed to “feed the world”.
I don’t have all the answers and the story is convoluted and complex. But at least I can say that I am proud to be a part of a movement of people who say – yes, I care what I eat, where it comes from and the impact it has on diverse global issues.
Such a great and important post my dear friend! As consumers facing big corporations we only have limited power– but we can vote with our choices! xo