Blogs - Chief of Pray Blog

Food Fight

I thought I was alone on my soapbox. The front page story of the Chicago Tribune nudged me to move over recently. Food Fight: Does the growing movement to eat locally grown foods make sense? Exactly! I’ve been asking this question and one about the big O. Are we truly reducing our carbon footprint by buying over-priced produce in parking lots? Does shopping at Whole Foods make us healthier? What’s behind the curtain at farms and factories sporting Organic certification?

Where I live in Florida, we have a great farmer’s market. Every Saturday morning at eight, I walk to synagogue and cut through the street where the vendors are setting up for the West Palm Green Market. I nod to the heirloom tomato lady, high five the old saxophone guy, who’s opening his case to receive tips, and I pet the adopt-a-dog from the animal shelter tent. I continue on to The New Synagogue of Palm Beach, I pray, I enjoy Kiddush (lunch following the service), and I walk home the same way I came.

By then, the crowds are in full force and even though I’m not hungry, I grab a sample apple cider donut hot from the portable oven. If I’m making dinner that night, I’ll buy some fish, baked goods, or a prepared food item that I can’t make myself. I rarely buy produce. I’m too cheap and too skeptical to pay $3 for a head of cauliflower when I know Publix has it for $2.

When I get an idea in my head, it doesn’t leave until it’s exhausted. I’m into eating healthy and I’m respectful of our environment. I was determined to research the claims of the Eat Local and Grow Organic groups.  I read two of Michael Pollan’s books: In Defense of Food and The Omnivore’s Dilemma. While they were interesting and worth a few pointers, it was clear that Pollan approached the subject from an emotional viewpoint without sound basis or facts. It wasn’t until I heard an expert on agriculture research speak on the topic, did I get my confirmation. Robert Paarlberg is an academic who researched the economics, politics, and environmental sustainability of food production, and concluded that there are no gains from eating locally grown and organic food.

Here’s a hoot. I’m sponsoring a Lunch & Learn on the topic of food politics for supporters of the One Acre Fund. Professor Paarlberg is the keynote speaker. I’ve gotten so many calls from locally grown and organic food advocates that I needed to add a second program open to the community. I’m looking forward to a lively discussion! If you’re in Chicago on September 20^th and want to come, let me know – it’s free and you’re welcome to hear both sides and decide for yourself.

I take the holiness of my body very seriously. I am grateful for the food I eat and I take the time to let God know it. All food is holy because it sustains us. Learning about our food options and thinking deeply about how it affects us and the world we live in, is a tribute to the provider of all our needs.

Sustenance

For the love in the hands
that prepared this food, I thank You.
For the warmth of the meal and the
warmth of the conversation, I thank You.
For the laughter bubbling over
the spread before us, I thank You.

I praise You for the joyful spirits You sustain,
for the willing hands so happy to serve,
for open hearts so eager to share.
My stomach is full, and my soul is bursting.

Thank You for feeding me today.

-Abigail Wurdeman