Every Sunday I watch “Sunday Morning” on CBS. Oh, how I love that show. It’s my hour-and-a- half long ”moment of zen.”
Last weekend I was SUPER pleased! They featured some issues near and dear to my heart. I LOVE to see things I am passionate about get public attention (you should have seen me when I first heard about Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution).
In their story “Field of Greens: The Growth in Farmers Markets“ CBS touched on the following:
Commercial Rooftop Farming in urban areas. Think about it….the rooftops are just sitting there. Why not put them to good use?
Commercial Rooftop Farm in Brooklyn
Not only a sustainable way to encourage eating and buying locally (good for us and the environment), it’s a viable solution to the troubling phenomena of Urban Food Deserts.
What do you eat when you can't get to the store?
What’s a food desert? Here’s the scenario: You live in an urban area. The nearest grocery store is miles away. You don’t own a car. You must rely on local convenience marts and a vast array of fast-food joints (who $BANK$ in those areas). Healthy options are …”what’s that?” Small markets don’t have the buying power or incentive to stock healthy produce or real food.
Slim Pickins
If they do have produce, the variety and quality are poor and it is often outrageously expensive. Think about those $0.75 bananas they sell at the 7-11 … I’ll take mine for $0.39 a lb, thank-you! Anyways, these people suffer the consequences — becoming sick, often obese, and nutritionally starved.
America needs change, and I’m happy Farmer’s Markets are benefiting from the recent growth in demand for locally grown, fresh food.
Get to know your Farmers!
There was even mention of CSA boxes, Community Supported Agriculture. (Oh, boy. Don’t get me started.) Love. Basically, you sign up with a local farm and receive weekly or monthly boxes of whatever’s fresh. This encourages healthy and seasonal eating at home, is sustainable and environmentally friendly, and supports local farms. Win-Win-Win.
Box full of goodies, delivered Fresh!
AND THEN! Wait for it … they gave a shout out to THE woman…the one and only Mrs. Obama…or as I like to call her MICHELLE O-BOMBA-DOT-COMMA!! Sigh. Love.
Ah...her mission? Promoting farms, healthy eating and exercise. I think I see a halo.
I think I’d have these beliefs and passions (in terms of food) if I never had an eating disorder, but I know my eating disorder has led me to educate myself and develop these passions, interests, and appreciation for real food, healthful eating, farming and fixing the American Diet. That feels really good — maybe someday MY MESS MIGHT BECOME MY MESSAGE.
Check out for more info: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/08/29/sunday/main6816240.shtml?tag=contentBody;featuredPost-PE
