Eating for the health of the planet.
I watched a film yesterday about regenerative agriculture and it got me thinking about our food system, our connection to nature and how we consume. Nutrition and taking care of ourselves are just part of the bigger picture of also taking care of the planet. It’s the soil and the earth that produces the food we need to sustain life. Yet what are we doing to sustain the life of the planet? Because, when it comes to our well-being, how can we not include the needs of our planet?
What is regenerative agriculture? It is a way of farming that gives back to the land and ensures the land is sustained and nourished for the future (https://theregenerators.org/). It is one of the many propped mechanisms in tackling the climate change issue.
The complexity and seriousness of global warming can feel very overwhelming and too much for me or us as individuals to tackle. However, after watching the movie, “Rachel’s Farm” and hearing from some passionate climate activists who are getting out there and making change happen. It got me thinking about how important it is to choose foods not only with my nutrition and health in mind but also with the health of the animals, the plants and the soil which produced that food.
I am lucky enough to live in an area where I can access farmers’ markets. Before and during COVID, I was consistently getting most of my fruit and veggies from a farmer’s market every weekend. However, I have let that habit slide but I feel motivated to start going again. I also have access to an organic grocer that sources local, seasonal produce and can mostly avoid the big supermarkets. The difference in the quality and flavour of the produce that comes from these outlets compared to the big supermarkets is so noticeable.
What about the price though? I understand that we are in a cost-of-living crisis, and also that I don’t have a family to feed or a mortgage to pay. However, my challenge to you is this. If you are someone that earns a decent wage and lives in a capital city, with access to small, local grocers or markets, choose to invest in fresh, locally, ethically grown food. Maybe it means spending a little bit less on alcohol or dining out. Because what is the end cost of eating foods that have been grown in soil which is depleted of nutrients? What is the cost of continually supporting large corporations that keep their shareholders happy rather than supporting sustainable farming practices?
Check out https://melbourne-farmers-markets-mfm.myshopify.com/ to find your local farmer’s market.
If you want to learn more about regenerative agriculture, I recommend the following resources:
The Regenerators https://theregenerators.org/
The Biggest Little Farm (movie) https://www.biggestlittlefarmmovie.com/
Rachel’s Farm (movie) https://theregenerators.org/rachels-farm/about/
Farming Democracy (book) https://afsa.org.au/product/farming-democracy/
Charles Massey, author and farmer https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-09-28/charlie-massy-regenerative-farming-movement/12438352?utm_campaign=abc_news_web&utm_content=link&utm_medium=content_shared&utm_source=abc_news_web
