I haven’t written about the food situation, mostly because I don’t entirely grasp what is going on beyond actual food shortages, perceived food shortages, and speculation on food markets, which is so thoroughly disgusting that I have trouble thinking about it without clenching fists and gritting teeth. I know there is a mess of nuance in between these major facts, and I know it goes beyond limits on rice at the Costco, and I know it’s dire. Honestly, my biggest issue with it has been not knowing what to do and feeling rather helpless. Greenpa at Little Blog in the Big Woods has a great guide for action, but with the kids sick I haven’t been reading as intently as I should have and I certainly do need to go back and start taking the steps he recommends. But as of today, with my head cloudy and Lucy’s cousin in town for the next few days, I’m taking the one step I know I can that will keep us fed and not through big business. I am going to the farmer’s market.
See, I woke up this morning and I felt sort of icky. I’ve finally gotten the cold that led to the ear infections for the kids. Pickle did the butt scoot on the Baby Bjorn (she has IBS). The last thing I feel like doing is hauling the baby anywhere, especially after doing so yesterday. The thing is, though, these are just excuses. It’s inconvenient for me, sure. I’d rather not. I’d rather plop myself in bed and read with the baby. It isn’t peak season, it’s tough to carry a bag and a baby, is it really that big a deal? And it is. Not because local produce is going to stop the food shortage, or because it’s going to keep people in Haiti from starving. It matters because I can get non-industrial food within a short subway ride. It’s worth the trip for local milk alone. In a month, the CSA starts up and it will be more non-industrial food. Money goes to the farmers, not a corporation. It ain’t much, but it’s a start. And after that I have to get to work with the letter-writing.
Good for you. Industrial food sucks, although like everyone else I do eat my share of it. (Locally produced tofu? What?) I am heading out to my dads this weekend to rototill a good chunk of his acreage. We are going to try to grow our own storage crops for next winter. We have the CSA for summer food. Yes, it sucks having to drive 20 miles every week to go weed and water, but it has to be better than the 1500 miles that every bite of industrial food travels before it reaches my mouth, plus all of the petroleum used to harvest and fertilize the fields.
And ew (and lol) about the cat butt! You are a better pet owner than I am. I don’t do “special needs.” 😉
You’ll do anything to get the kid out, eh?
😉
I’m in awe of your growing plans. 20 miles is def. better than the amount most food travels to get to us. Hell, even the farmer’s market stuff I get comes from more than 20 miles away.
I’ll do anything EXCEPT castor oil. *shudder*
After my father used some castor oil to relieve some “issues”, I never understood why pregnant women did that to themselves on PURPOSE.
Do what you can-it’s a start.
I’ll third the ewwwwww on the castor oil. I am, however, DYING for the baby to get here so I’m in favor of you doing it, Venessa 😉