The Case for Family Farms and Family Time

My 17-year-old daughter loves to go to the farmers market.  Every Saturday that we can go, we do.  This past Saturday was no exception. 

Perhaps because of our regular jaunts to the farmers market, my daughter recently wrote one of her college essays about the value of family farms and keeping parts of America rural.  While she was writing the essay we were discussing her views and I found it profound that young people see the need for organic and family run farms to succeed and indeed, thrive.  They don’t want to lose what they deem is best about America…There is something romantic and almost idealized about family farms. 

Purchasing food from the grower in a parking lot anywhere in America reminds us how close we are (and can be) to the earth and our food.  Knowing who grew the food you are eating is important today and not just for health reasons.  Knowing these individuals connect us to our food chain by providing us an opportunity to try new varieties of vegetables and fruits, often varieties we would never find in our grocery stores, to know that the animals we consume were raised humanely and compassionately and that their time on this earth had value and joy, that we support people’s passions for cheese-making and baking, flowers and free-range eggs.  In short, purchasing food from farmers markets is a small act we all can do to support and even encourage the family run farm’s success.

And, it is a great opportunity to connect with your family; to discuss upcoming meals, find out what each other’s likes and dislikes are, and try new foods.  I’m all for embracing those moments when my daughter wants to be with me, and it is effortless.