Week 10 Blog

The readings this week discuss the various ways that food is bought and how farmers specifically interact with consumers. The history behind how farmers markets used to work and how there seems to be a resurgence in them is also noted. With the massive growth of agrobusiness and the companies that produce a majority of the products we buy in a grocery store we have found that the interaction between the farmer and the consumer has lessened. This phenomenon in turn has also eliminated the transparency in regards to ones food, with interaction by the farmer at various farmers markets and with the introduction of farm to school programs one can now be sure of where there food comes from and on a heightened degree they may understand the conditions it was grown under and if any sort of harmful additives may have been introduced. Farm to school programs have also provided a pipeline of healthy food to growing youth, with a current system that favors spending as little as possible the farm to school movement has altered the playing field as kids can now have access to healthy and fresh food otherwise not found in a school cafeteria. This system promotes a synergistic balance as the farmers are able to sell locally and make a fair amount for the products sold but also that the children can learn and appreciate the idea that their food is grown essentially in their own backyard and not thousands of miles away. These kind of programs have also encouraged school wide gardening programs where produce can be grown on site and then used in the meals the children will eat. The focus on getting farmers and people active in their local communities serves as a way that can benefit all, the introduction of multiple farmers markets encourages stimulation of the local economy while also providing for greater social interaction between people in their communities. This also provides an outlet for education as people can become more aware of what they eat and hopefully make healthier choices overall. These farmers markets also provide for a relaxing environment where choices may be made in a less stressful environment and overall may create a positive impact in ones food choices.

The increasing trend in the consumption of locally grown foods and programs which encourage and organize events and spaces in which these items may be purchased have created positive impacts on communities around the country. With the transparency of farm to school and the wellness that sites like farmers markets can provide, this trend seems like it can only improve.