Foodies and the Green Movement

While surfing the internet, I came across an article in time Magazine title "Foodies Can Eclipse (and Save) the Green Movement" by Bryan Walsh. Mr. Walsh claims that the green movement is teetering. Green house legislation has stalled, the EPA is under attack and that we now have "newly empowered Republicans in Congress who argue that the very idea of environmental protection is unaffordable for our debt-ridden country". Sounds rather bleak to me. But Mr. Walsh goes on to assert that environmentalism isn't dieing, it's only evolving. One of the new forms it is taking is that of the food movement. The food movement, he claims is not only changing the way we eat, but the way we farm and the way we relate to one another. The aguement is supported by the following facts:

There are now thousands of community-supported agriculture programs around the country, up from just two in 1986. There are more than 6,000 farmers' markets, up 16% from just a year ago. Sales of organic food and beverages hit nearly $25 billion in 2009, up from $1 billion in 1990, and no less a corporate behemoth than Walmart has muscled into the organic industry, seeking out sustainable suppliers. And more importantly, everyone eats. There's no escaping that. And everyone can relate to a well prepared meal of fresh veggies, and pasture raised  raised pork roast!

While I personally think the green movement is far from dieing, I will say that if this is what the food movement is about, then count me in. As a conservationist, a sustainable farming advocate a small farm owner (and a person who eats :-) ), I can only hope that the foodie movement continues to grow. Challenging the way we eat and the way we farm can only lead to good things. Conventional farming is very good at producing large quantities of affordable food. That's what conventional farming does best. But, some would ask, at what cost to the environment and to our health? I feel that there is a need and a place for another food production model. Food that is locally grown by small family farms where the health of the soil comes first. Where there is a direct connection between the customer and the farmer. Where food is fresh and great tasting, not bland and mass produced. By buying locally grown foods from a farmer you know, you could be contributing to your health, the health of the land, and the health of your community. What could be better than that?