Video: Bryant Terry, “What You Can Do”
By WorldLink Staff | July 15, 2013 | 1 Comment
In this short film, chef/author Bryant Terry suggests a few simple things all of us can do to work toward a more just, sustainable food system.
1) Grow your own: Even if you don’t have a yard, you can grow many herbs–and even some vegetables–indoors or in a window box. Gardening at home is not only educational, economical and therapeutic, it may actually lead you to enjoy meals more due to the work you put in. (Behavioral economists humorously call this the IKEA Effect.)
2) Support local farmers: Shopping at a farmers market or food cooperative, joining a CSA, or visiting a nearby pick-your-own farm can help conserve energy, educate kids about where their food comes from, and build community by bringing you face-to-face with the people who nurtured your food from seed to harvest. To find sustainably grown food in your area, go to localharvest.org and type in your zip code.
3) Food is for sharing: Most people agree the best meals are those enjoyed with family and friends, and we would extend that principle to growing, shopping for, and preparing food. All of these activities are opportunities to teach, learn, and make connections. Frame cooking as a social activity rather than a chore and see how quickly people’s attitudes change about spending time in the kitchen.
By taking small steps to build your relationship to the people and processes that define the lifecycle of food, you’ll begin to see more clearly the sometimes hidden links between seemingly disparate parts of the broader food landscape. As they reveal themselves, the bigger picture becomes less daunting and opportunities for systemic change become easier to identify.
Of course, these are only Bryant’s top three; obviously there are plenty of other small practices we can adopt that can lead to big changes. What other action steps would you recommend to people who are ready to roll up their sleeves in support of good food? Join the conversation on Facebook.
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