21.11.09

WHAT!

Agro-Imperialism? More like rape. Today's NYT Sunday Magazine talks about how white people and people with money get even crazier.

On a related note, this is a must watch. Carolyn Steel lays some smack down. No, seriously, you must watch, all of it.

6 comments:

Unknown said...

this was heavy, but makes so much sense.

Amy said...

I whole heartily agree with her. It is so important to take the time and effort to really research where your food is coming from and this actually goes beyond just buying local food at the local chain grocery store. It is about connecting with the farmers of your area and going to farmers markets and understanding the process that goes into making it.

We are currently researching the question "how local is local" in my sustainability class and we are discovering that most grocery stores are still importing products from several states away, despite nc being a top agriculture producing state. However people are still willing to pay top dollar for these "local" products. It is really time we reconnect with nature and start to learn from it.

Madison said...

Beautifully spoken. So sad to realize.

Farmer's markets are the jam! She's so right about the social impact of selling/buying your food.

Temps said...

Amy, that sounds awesome. Can't wait to here what come of the "local/local" question. It is really mind-blowing that in states like NC and SC (that can grow almost anything we want, almost year round) most people's food still comes from states or countries away.

My favorite part about her argument, and the part that keeps me from killing myself after I watch this, is the simplicity of the solution. After going through the entire history of food production and distribution (How cool was the Ur example?), and then the awful state we're in now, the answer? Simply make food matter in your life, the buying, preparing and eating. Most importantly! Link a social interaction, ritual, or just generally respected event to each of these actions. Buy from people you know, respect etc. Learn to prepare food. Eat with people you love. Love it.

Temps said...

oh my favorite quote:

"We don't value food, we don't trust it and because we don't trust it we fear it...and we throw it away"

Amy, I'm sure this question of trust is coming up in your class. Why would people by food from something faceless, and completely unaccountable?

Kaitlyn said...

that quote is pretty heavy...and at this very moment i just realized that the beverly hills farmers market closes in ten minutes and i completely forgot to go. rumor has it wolfgang puck shops there and his kids are little brats.

i try to buy most of my produce at farmers markets, which are abundant here. there are a few that are open every day which is awesome.

ted and i just bought 3 huge packets of strawberries in downtown westwood the other day and its interesting how much more aware i am of the food i purchase directly from the farmers.

let's face it, we are all guilty of buying something at the grocery store, having a great idea for it, then discovering it rotten a month later.

i feel like when i go to a farmer's market, not only is the food MUCH better, but i feel as though i respect the food more and make more of an effort not to waste it.

is it because of the intimate farmer/consumer experience we don't have in the grocery store?

i also want to hear hali's take on this, since her parents own a farm.