"Did you know that some people don't want you to grow a tomato in your front yard to feed yourself?"

The following question was posed to me by Ruben Fields', owner of Miccosukee Root Cellar. The Miccosukee Root Cellar restaurant may be found right here in Tallahassee across the street of TMH hospital.  The restaurant is actually a farm to table restaurant that contracts with 12 different local vendors to bring local and organic foods to our community. "Did you know that some people don't want you to grow a tomato in your front yard to feed yourself?" I quickly replied, "yes, can you believe that?" However, 60 days ago I was completely oblivious to the fact food sovereignty was even a thing. Being a 90s baby, I was unaware to the extent in which America's imposed limitations on food and agriculture policies shape our contemporary society. As unbelievable as it sounds, during one point in time, our country's economy was heavily dependent on the agriculture sector. I think the government should probably decentralize the agriculture market whether it will be in through policies or programs while incentivizing States in engaging in the agriculture in their own way as an effort to stimulate small businesses and combat dietary and nutrition related issues that are plaguing our public health system.

A big difference in my philosophy considering food systems is the way public health initiatives emphasize on individual behavior as the primary determinant in modifying behavior. Evaluating the course material this semester makes me shift public health related efforts to the private sector, as well as other distributors and producers of food. Most importantly public health will probably need reform as their current policies lack the concepts of promoting equitable food environments. Or maybe it is not the responsibility of public health figures to fix the inadequacies in our food systems. Toronto's establishment of food policy council is probably the type of changes that need to occur nationwide to create food justice for all Americans.

Going forward I will make sure that my planning efforts include integration of local agriculture movements. There is just so much more that can be done in sustainably creating urban agriculture will be resilient in its ability to reduce the dietary burdens that is evident everywhere, regardless of race or ethnicity. During the first couple weeks of class we talked about food meeting spiritual needs of people. I still think that is the case more than ever as we end our semester. You look at the way people are aging today and it is undeniable that food, or the lack of food rather, has serious implications on our society's wellbeing and livelihood.

So, where am I going with this? I think everyone from now on should look to cultivate and harvest their own produce one day and go to the neighborhood farm for fresh goat milk, but what you can do right now is support those the existing institutions related to local food systems. Remind them why did they decide to serve our community with integrity by the means of fresh and organic products with a thank you - and buy something to enjoy later, of course :)