4 minute read
Table Talk with LeeAnna Tatum
from Issue #1 2019
EACH ISSUE OF SOUTHERN SOIL FEATURES A CONVERSATION ADDRESSING THE SAME FIVE QUESTIONS WITH AN INDIVIDUAL REPRESENTING A PERSPECTIVE ALONG THE FOOD SUPPLY LINE. FOR THIS ISSUE, I’LL BE ADDRESSING THESE QUESTIONS MYSELF. THIS IS A CONDENSED VERSION OF A SERIES OF BLOG POSTS I HAVE WRITTEN ON THE WEBSITE. YOU CAN READ THOSE HERE.
My role in the food system is as a consumer. Like many here in the area, I live in a rural town with one grocery store and no local food options in my county. My grocery options are not only limited, but so is my grocery budget. I feel like in many ways, I can speak for the average consumer here in Southeast Georgia who would like to support local food and make healthier food choices, but there are significant roadblocks to overcome.
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What does the current food system look like here in Southeast Georgia?
In my opinion, our current food system here in Southeast Georgia epitomizes what has gone wrong with industrial agriculture and the globalization of our food supply. We depend on “cheap” foods.
Because much of our population here is rural and economically depressed, we have unique barriers to sustainability. We can’t expect the majority of the local population to embrace the local, sustainable food movement because most of us simply don’t have access. In some cases, that access is limited by finances and in other cases that access is limited logistically - either the local supply is not there, or it’s not convenient, or it’s not known to the consumer.
From a consumer perspective, the financial barrier is not insignificant. But neither is the logistical one. Farmers Markets are great and are doing a wonderful job of helping farmers and consumers connect. But, for many of us, there isn’t one nearby. And for many who may have one nearby, they may not want or be able to devote every Saturday morning to do their grocery shopping.
If I had to use one word to describe our current situation here in Southeast Georgia, I’d probably have to go with “frustrating”! And as I’ve just read about one more local place going out of business this week, I feel like sometimes we are taking one step forward and two steps back.
What should the food system look like here in Southeast Georgia?
It should be a cornucopia of sustainable foods grown right here in our own backyards, communities and farms. Local food should be readily available and just as convenient to buy as conventional foods currently are.
First of all, I think that our local food system should be really, really local. Like, it should start in each and every home with each and every individual. Every yard should have a fruit tree or two, maybe a couple blueberry bushes and a blackberry vine. Every patio could have a small fruit tree or a pot of herbs and a few veggies.
It’s very possible for people, en masse, to decide to take part in their own food system and to do it effectively! During World War II, all US citizens were encouraged to plant “victory gardens” as their patriotic duty to support the war effort. And they did so! On a grand scale. 20 MILLION home gardens were planted: everything from 1/4 acre lots down to window boxes, people did what they were able to produce as much for themselves and their neighbors as they could. At its peak, the victory garden movement produced 40% of the vegetables grown in the US.
We have proven when properly motivated, our food systems can become VERY local.
Expanding out from the individuals and the homes, my utopian food system would also include gardens at every school, every church, every community center. As with individual “gardens” these could be sized and planned according to resources available. However small the involvement and contribution, it would still be impactful.
But of course, we can’t all be self-sufficient (and I’m not even suggesting that anyone try). So in our local food systems, there needs to be plenty of farmers who are willing and able to meet growing demand.
In my ideal world, I would be able to go down the street to a grocery store in my own community and buy local foods produced within 100 miles of my front door. I know for a fact that if I were able to do that, I would have a wealth of high quality, healthy foods from which to choose.
What changes need to occur to make that transition?
Since I’m a consumer, I’ll approach this question from what changes consumers need to make. (You can check out the blog for a more in-depth answer.)
Consumers drive the market. We need to make buying local, sustainable food a priority. We need to approach our local grocery stores and restaurants and ask them to source local foods. We need to petition our school systems to support local farms. We need to let our representatives know that we support legislation that is favorable to non-conventional farmers and producers.
As consumers, we can supplement our own food requirements by consuming less and producing more. Plant a tree, plant a garden, plant a pot of herbs… each small change contributes to the bigger picture. Cook more meals at home. Learn to eat seasonally. Consume less meat so you can afford to buy quality locally sourced meats.
How do we make a local sustainable food system that is profitable for producers while keeping it accessible to consumers?
This is a tough question with no short and simple answers. I think one of the complicating factors with the economics of a local and sustainable food supply is the dichotomy of two groups of consumers within the local food movement - the elite and the rest of us.
The elite who choose local food options from trendy markets, upscale stores and high-end restaurants. These consumers are located primarily near urban centers. They appreciate the high quality of local foods and enjoy supporting local farmers and chefs. For this group, there are few barriers. Price is not an issue and, as a more urban group, they are likely closer to market centers where available.
But instead of viewing this dichotomy as a challenge, perhaps it can be leveraged to work for everyone - the high-end market paving the way for more accessible local food to find its way to the general population.
How do we grow the movement?
This part will likely sound self-serving. But growing the movement is what Southern Soil is all about. Between the website, the magazine, the blog and the social media sites - it’s designed to be a resource and a tool for growing the local food movement. Use it! Whether you are a consumer, producer or purveyor of local foods, this is a resource that is readily available and free of charge.