Luscious and Local? Yum-o!

Food has become less a source of physical and spiritual sustenance and more a cause of obesity and pollution. This pattern has gone on too long.

Why do our kids like chicken nuggets and french fries so much? How did we let Golden Arches and other corporate symbols stimulate our appetites and in some cases replace the sight and smell of fresh and flavorful local food baking, simmering and roasting on our home ranges?

I'll tell you what happened: we let corporations control our food.

In the U.S. four companies pack 83.3% of beef. I'll bet anyone from around here can name at least two of them.

Two companies sell 58% of seed corn.

98% of all poultry in the U.S. is produced by big corporations.

Our system promotes industrial agriculture. In 1935, the average farm was 135 acres. In 2002, the average was 441 acres, the median was over 2,000 acres.

Two percent of farms produce 50% of all agricultural products in this country. Two percent. What if we gave even a fraction of that power back to the local farmers -- our neighbors down the road?

Corporations have also had a huge effect on farming methods.

In 2000, 25% of corn and 54% of soybeans were genetically modified.

By 2008, the numbers were 80% and 92%.

Frozen and fried potatoes, potato chips, iceberg lettuce and canned tomatoes make up 50% -- that's HALF -- of vegetable consumption in the United States.

Another 10% is high fructose corn syrup. In 1967, soda pop came in 10 ounce glass bottles and an adult might have one in a day or a few in a week. Kids, as a general rule, didn't drink it at all. The per capita consumption was 0.03 pounds per year.

In 2006, the per capita consumption of h.f.c.s. was 58.2. That's fifty eight pounds -- friends, we might as well just strap on a bag of sugar the size of a first grader and dig in.

Listen -- I feel the problem. I have the occasional craving for a double quarter pounder with cheese that I can't explain. I suspect that same chain of putting endorphins or crack in their fries because in attempting to reflect rationally on my craving and food habits -- I don't know why I like them. They don't taste great. I could make better with fresh potatoes and far less salt and oil.

I can only guess it's programming and over-exposure to Madison Avenue's ideas about my diet. It's one of many reasons we have no television in our home as of this year.

On a daily basis, I'm a Coke (Zero) addict, and I don't know how I'd stay awake all day without it.

We can make changes, though.

Many communities have made a commitment to a community based food system. It's something I would love to start right here in greater downtown Fostoria.

Farmer's markets and community supported agriculture leave out the big retailer middleman. Small farmers make a living and communities get fresh, healthy affordable food.

Lawns, abandoned lots, balconies, roofs and even windowsills become gardens, Neighbors build community gardens and share the bounty at neighborhood feasts.

During WWII, victory gardens produced 40 perent of the vegetables people ate.

One way to eschew corporate sponsored consumption is to party like it's 1949 with victory gardens, shared meals at home, and thinking outside the drive through.

Start your own community garden or transform your lawn or parking strip - little is much when compared with nothing.

Buy in season or harvest and preserve it yourself.

Study the art of cooking and preserving tasty food on a budget.

Contribute something from every shopping trip to the local food banks or clean out the useful non-perishables taking up room on your shelf. In addition to Upper Des Moines Opportunity, Bethany Lutheran Church is one place with an active food pantry program.

When gardening, plant a row for the hungry and donate to a shelter or food bank, bring it to a church so they can deliver it to someone in need, or just drop off for a neighbor who's having a hard time.

Get out of your house, get to know your neighbors and invite them over for a slow-food meal. Savor it at the table or out on the porch as the nights get warmer.

Share an evening of conversation and enjoy the good life.