The farmer and consumer as food activist

So here are a few:

1.  I offer them a choice of a red or blue pill (referring to the Matrix films) and suggest they are living in a false corporate dominated mindset reality.  They are programmed by TV, the movies, video games, schools and advertising in how to eat, dress (I ask how many are wearing corporate logos on their clothing), consume and think.  The alternatives they now have are cynicism and anger.  I offer activism - community, electoral and spiritual activist involvement.

2.  I also advocate involvement in local and state politics.  National politics are sexy and alluring - but change can more readily happen at the local level - school boards, county and city councils, state electoral politics.  The right wingers recognized that and began organizing locally in the '70's and succeeded in motivating a large portion of the electorate.  Name recognition in politics and the financing advantage of incumbents is central, so once elected, even dog catcher, any elected official has a better chance of re-election and moving up than an unknown.  To test out my assumptions, I ask students to ask their parents what state electoral district they live in.  In Maryland, parents should at least know the name of one of their 3 delegates and their state (not federal) senator.  They most likely won't.  I encourage students to read metro sections and local newspapers and become more aware of local issues.

3.  I suggest the food they're consuming in their school and community is killing them. I tell them (especially inner-city students) they're eating rat poison!  A diet of foods laden with  high fat, fried, high fructose corn syrup will encourage type 2 diabetes.  Every inner-city classroom is filled with children whose parents, aunts, uncles and other relatives who have "sugar" (diabetes).  And our culture of capitalism-gone-amok with few watchdogs or whistle blowers, enables and encourages us to make poor food choices.  The USDA and FDA have failed us miserably when it comes to providing creative and imaginative leadership.

4.  I tell them that their supermarkets are filled with food that cause them more harm than good.  Red meat, white flour and candy, all should be eaten in moderation if at all.  Our bodies sometimes crave these often, addictive, foods.  But children should be encouraged to eat a diet of greens, whole grains, locally-grown vegetables fruits and juices.  In many schools I visit, I've been told and shown that teachers reward their students with candy, McDonald's coupons, donuts and cola products!  There must be a more consistent message if we're to be credible.

5.  I advocate the complete elimination of vending machines in public schools.  It's been a way corporations have brought their products into our classrooms in an effort to "brand" and addict children.  Principals, parents and school boards have compromised their ethics and values by allowing these machines in schools.  And plastic bottles filled with water have become their own source of pollution.  The reality is that we are all accomplices and enablers. (Charitably speaking, it's also about a lack of sufficient funding.)  

So, extending some of these heretical thoughts to you I'd add:

1.  We need to offer school children the best, not the cheapest food.  In the long term, we'll cut down the hospital, insurance and societal costs that affect all of us.

2.  We need to make sure our farmers and super markets are not solely geared to the wealthiest among us.  Good quality, affordably-priced, nurturing and healthy foods should be available to all the public.  Your local farmers market should be reaching out to minorities and ethnicities.  

3.  Plastics (particularly bags), have become a primary pollution source.  They should be eliminated from our market place - the UK, France and countries like Rwanda recognize this and have started to ban their use.  Whenever we have an opportunity, we should advocate their elimination - by voicing our concerns to elected officials, supermarket managers, farmers, etc.

4.  Become more aware of what we eat.  I subscribe to Nutrition Action.  One of my farmworkers gets Life Extension .  I believe we have evolved to eat a relatively modest diet based on famine, flight and fight, and a very active life.  Sugar and transfat were not part of that diet.  1200 - 1500 calories was consumed in a whole day!  Today, we might eat that in one meal - and then sit and watch TV  or work at a computer most of the day.  It's no accident that so many cancers (particular breast and prostate) are located in fatty tissues.  Or that type 2 diabetes is seemingly out of control.  That all has to change if we're truly interested in the health of our families, communities and societal obesity.  

5.  There is a new movement referred to as "Transition Cities".  It started in the United Kingdom and has spread throughout the world.  It is centered on community response to the peak oil crisis and climate change.  Over 900 cities and towns are exploring the concept of reconnecting communities with farms, gardens, healthy food, local energy sources and family-owned businesses.  It's worth exploring and connecting with others interested in reinvigorating communities.  For more information go to:  www.transitionsmaryland.ning.com.

I'm interested and open to your reactions and suggestions.  Thank you for reading this.

Mike Tabor started farming in 1972.  Licking Creek Bend Farm is located in near Berkeley Springs, West VA and Hancock, MD.  He advocates making healthily-grown foods available to a wider variety of the public and has been a strong advocate of eliminating vending machines and junk goods from schools.  In 2008 he helped get Farm-to-Cafeteria legislation passed in the Maryland General Assembly.  His largest direct market is in Adams Morgan, Washington, DC where at least 50% of his business comes from WIC farmers market food coupons.