The New York Times ran an interesting piece on the resurgence of vegetable gardens during these tough economic times. I have to admit, it has kept me thinking these last few days. Sure it makes sense that more people would want to grow their own food, buy in bulk and cut back when times are tough, but I can't help wondering whether there is something simmering underneath all of this.
'Vegetable Gardens Are Booming in a Fallow Economy' - New York Times, September 8, 2011
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what do you mean? what do you think might be underlying the trend?
ReplyDeleteWell I for one started gardening (seriously) this year - not because of the economy - but, because of the numerous food recalls. They made me research where my food was coming from and how it was processed/fed and I decided that I needed a change. Not to mention that stores are shipping food from across the country or importing it instead of using local farmers....imagine how many barrels of oil that uses!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Anonymous. I think more people want to know where there food is coming from and how it grew.
ReplyDeleteI could only hope the trend would lead to more small farms, and farms not going bankrupt, rather than more industry farms.
Like taking back control, even if it's just a feeling of control? because we cannot control anything, it seems. It's all too big...So we start where we can.
ReplyDeleteas a new gardener, i am sure the produce i grow myself ends up being more expensive than if i bought conventional produce from the store. between seeds, plants, amendments, tools, time, etc and the fact i haven't figure the trick to getting my garden as productive as yours... but i enjoy seeing my food grow, know where its been, seen its life from start to finish... makes it that much more flavorful and satisfying!
ReplyDeleteFor me it's about knowing what is going into the food we are eating, it's about trying to eat locally (you can't get any more local than the back yard), and it will eventually be about saving some money. I also enjoy the process and appreciate the satisfaction I get from nurturing life, from seed to table and into our bellies ;-)
ReplyDeleteChuck - to be honest, I don't know exactly what I mean. haha. Part of me thinks that the simple act of growing your own food can spawn into something much greater - like the next big people's movement. Most of us have little control over our job security, what the government does or whether our insurance plans will cover us if something happens, etc. I hope that the more people attempt grow their own food be a little more self-sufficient, the more empowered we will feel to ask for real social change.
ReplyDeleteThomas I'm with you. There is something coming. Some big change that we are going to have to be ready for.
ReplyDeleteI have been an advocate for a long time for people to take more control of their own food supply - with the modern victory garden being the primary vehicle for that. It can be quite frugal and provides another layer of financial risk management to the household as the more food we grow for ourselves the less money we need month to month to put food on the table. Then there is all the other benefits - more sustainable/less oil demand, more nutrient dense food without pesticides and herbicides, and time spent out of doors connecting with the natural world and getting some exercise as well. It's all good and I think people are literally hungering for something more real in and meaningful in their day to day lives. It just does not get any more real or meaningful then being connected to the daily process of feeding yourself and your family.
ReplyDeleteThe Times is just noticing this? Issues of sustainability and freedom from the grid (power, food, etc.) have been hot topics in the suburbs here for several years. For example, Bolton Local (http://www.boltonlocal.org/) has been preaching energy conservation, local sourcing, sustainability, recycling, and community interdependence for several years.
ReplyDeleteBolton Local sponsored the formation of a community garden in Bolton 3 years ago. We not only grow food for our own families, but every Tuesday and Saturday we collect excess produce to donate to the local food banks so hungry people have fresh vegetables to add to the canned and boxed goods distributed by the food banks.
In Hudson, Growing Places (http://growingplaces.org) uses volunteers to build raised bed gardens for needy families in local towns so they can raise their own fresh vegetables.
I think the horse is out of the barn and we will see more families reducing their dependence on corporate farms and food stores.
Growing my own for me has been a very economical move. This summer, I have yet to buy vegetables! My harvests have sustained us all summer long!
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