Jun 24, 2011 by Loki
Mari Gallagher presentation
Farming has not completely devoured me. I’ve been teaching more classes, on nationwide radio twice (!) and I spoke at the 2011 Cincinnati Food Congress (I strongly recommend you check out the full report), which was back in April.
The Food Congress facilitates conversation amongst community leaders and stakeholders regarding the state of our region’s food supply and the impact it has on our population. This year, the focus was on if/how the local Agricultural Community can contribute employment opportunities to the Greater Cincinnati job pool. I spoke as part of a panel of local growers… as both an independent contractor on a small-to-medium scale farm, and as a mother.
There are SO MANY THINGS I have to tell you about this, too many for one post. Bear with me for a little while and I’ll get as much of it out to you as I can.
First, a definition:
Food Desert: A region where the population does not have ready access to fresh food. The general consensus for what “ready access,” i.e. – within walking distance, reasonable bike ride, or a single-leg public transit trip (i.e., a bus ride without a transfer). Keep in mind, food deserts are not necessarily urban. Many rural communities fall under this classification.
The phenomena of the food desert has been an obsession of mine, and it was also the first topic addressed at the Food Congress. Mari Gallagher presented some sobering figures illustrating just how bad it has gotten in the region, with the most disturbing point being that the best access to high quality food lies squarely in the suburban areas. Poor, non-nutrient-rich food choices have been shown to lead to health problems, like obesity and diabetes… which spike higher numbers in the less affluent, more urban areas.
Full disclosure – I live in a fortunate, happy bubble here in Northside, because of Picnic and Pantry, which is arguably one of the best micro markets I have ever been fortunate enough to patronize. They also source some of their goods from the Farm, as well as a number of other local artisans and growers. Northside also has one of the most diverse farmer’s markets in the City. I think this is in no small part due to the community being enthusiastic about their food. For contrast – my parents, having recently relocated to a more rural part of the state, now have a 30 mile drive to the closest market. They knew this going in, but how many of us choose our home’s location based on where the closest grocery is?
I’d love to hear about how many of you can / do walk / bike / bus to get your groceries… and how content you are with what you get. I would also like you to consider what it would be like if that “convenience” store a few blocks from you carried some fresh produce and healthy protein choices, instead of the bevy of processed drek that usually fills the shelves? Would you buy from them? Are we, as consumers, too used to “one stop” or destination shopping for a smaller, more locally-based model to work?
Cheers-
Dark Martha
Garden Manager, Carriage House Farm
www.consciousurbanliving.com
read more
Hello, I am Clint, but you probably know me as that guy who blogs about cheese coneys. Yes, I am part of the couple that makes up the 
One of my favorite subjects to take photos of is my dog Dexter. My girlfriend and I adopted Dexter the Pug from the SCPA in January and he has become a very welcomed addition to our household. Dexter had a rough life before we adopted him, he was a stray and almost died at the SPCA with a severe case of kennel cough. Luckily he survived and we arrived to rescue him! After this experience we highly recommend adopting from the SPCA if you are looking for a pet.
Recent Comments