Find Your Balance

Food is at the foundation, but really it's about life.

May 29th, 2009

“Food is at the foundation, but really it’s about life.” – Will Allen, farmer and founder of Growing Power, featured in FRESH.

Last night I was lucky enough to be at a Yelp.com elite event – a screening of FRESH at Harvard University. Have you heard about this movie? FRESH did a great job of keeping the feeling hopeful and inspired as it documents the US food system.

A system that is, mildly put, totally screwed up.

Cute, happy pigs. Not screwed up.

One of the inspiring farmers featured in FRESH is Joel Salatin of Polyface Farm. Ever since I read John Robbin’s book The Food Revolution, I have been all kinds of enamored with Joel and his farming practices. Written up in books, starring in movies – the guy is a regular Agri-celebrity!

Will Allen was also featured for his work in Milwaukee, WI with Growing Power. This is a 3-acre plot of land that not only grows food sustainably, but teaches others how to do the same. For Will, it’s all about those wriggly slimy worms turning food waste into gorgeous soil and keeping the natural cycle going.

The auditorium at Harvard was full of people young and old, some city residents, some local farmers. It was just a fantastic gathering. At the end of the film everyone was smiling and clapping and…looking over to the left side of the room where the filmmaker and its stars were filing into the auditorium – including Joel and Will.

You’d have thought I just brushed elbows with Brad PItt. It was so exciting to see these guys in person, here, in the city. Like two worlds colliding.

Happy to have had my iPhone, wish the photos were better though!

When they opened it up to questions, I am not ashamed to say that I jumped out of my seat for the microphone. It was a big crowd! I said:

“I am a holistic health counselor, working with private clients to overcome everything from eczema to anxiety and weight loss by eating real, quality food. I help them find it, buy it, and prepare it. But the biggest obstacle by far is that most people don’t know how to cook fresh food. They look at this head of kale and say, ‘What am I gonna do with that?’ So my question is for the farmers – how do YOU like to prepare the excellent food your farm produces?”

Everyone laughed at this for some reason. Maybe it was the thought of the hulking Will Allen in an apron standing over a stove, wooden spoon in hand.

Joel Salatin answered first. He said that his favorite way to start cooking real food is to use a slow cooker. Chicken, beef, pork, whatever, throw it in and let it cook all day. He said, forget the 20 minute meal! How about a zero minute meal because it’s cooked all day and is ready when you walk in the door?

Great idea. I actually don’t own a slow cooker but now I feel inspired to try one out! They are quite energy efficient and from what I understand, super easy to use.

Next, Will Allen spoke. Although he never quite answered my question about how he likes to prepare his food, he stressed the importance of learning to cook and reaching all ages. After all, we’ve missed a few generations – recipes and methods like canning have been lost somewhere along the way.

Finally, Chef Michael Leviton of Lumiere in West Newton, MA joked that as a restaurant owner he doesn’t want people to learn how to cook…he’d rather they come eat at his establishment. But of course, if you cook like they do at Lumiere, you won’t need to do much. Sustainably grown, farm-fresh ingredients require little more than salt, pepper and olive oil.

Another member of the audience stood up and recognized the 10 or so sustainable farm owners in the audience, which was really neat. She said to the rest of us, “It’s not enough to buy the food.”

What, me? Grow my own food? But…but…

Well, this stuff is happening. Food is being grown without chemicals. Animals are being treated with care. Farms are learning to produce food by working WITH nature, not against it. Like a return home after a long visit away, farming is coming back to its roots.

Will Allen reiterated by saying, “We’ve got to grow farmers. We’ve got to grow soil.” It’s such a simple thing. Why does the thought of running my own farm scare the bejesus out of me though? It’s just dirt.

I imagine this is how most people feel though, like it’s up to someone else to do it.

On the topic of dairy farmers, Joel Salatin said, “People think it’s safe to feed your kids Twinkies, Coco Puffs and Mountain Dew, but not to drink the milk that comes from a cow??”

Joel, answering questions after the event.

Well put. I came away from the night inspired to plant a garden in my bathtub, since that’s about my only option in this urban dwelling. But I think there ARE ways to grow food in containers, indoors.

Do you grow your own food, indoors or outdoors?

By the way, on the topic of sustainable farming, don’t forget to enter to win free Massa Organics! Contest closes June 4th.

This post is part of Food Renegade’s Fight Back Fridays.

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