A word that has become part of our every day language ... and yet, do we truly understand the extent to which globalisation permeates our lives? Unbeknown to us, the simple act of buying a loaf of bread connects us to produce, people and traditions that span cultures, countries and time. As little as 100 years ago, the concept of regularly buying food 'ready made' was quite erratic. Today it is a different story. The weekly trip to the grocery store or stop in at a fast food outlet has become the norm.
As a society we thrive on the readily availabile goods that line our grocery store shelves and rarely think about the historical events that have occurred to make this possible. The sacrifices we are making (to the health of our planet, its people, and our ever growing alienation from the land we inhabit) by buying into this lifestyle and actively perpetuating a consumerist mentality is far from our minds. The old saying 'out of sight, out of mind' is our anthem.
The truth is, we are disconnected from the land, the seasons, our native vegetation, and the processes for the natural growth of our sustenance. The Industrial Revolution, the World Wars and their effect on the workforce demographic, advances in technology and medicine, prioritisation of work values, societal changes, the population shift from country to city and the birth of the 'modern family' are factors that have contributed to the fast-paced, shortcut-taking, demanding, disposable, TV dinner society we have been born into.
This is a problem.
In the quest to quench our insatiable 'want' for the goods of this earth, have we forgotten our responsibility to it and to future generations?
The answer can be quite confronting. Becoming aware of the problems that exist in the lifestyle into which you have been born can be quite a guilt laden process. In undertaking this project on food sustainability we certainly went through a period of experiencing this.
What is important is the questions you ask yourself after this.What can I do to make a difference?
If each one of us asked ourselves that question a movement would begin.
There are many places to begin. We ask you to take a look at those things which are within your power to change, and then act.
For further information see:
ABC Radio National - The Slow Movement
David Suzuki - Eat For A Healthy Planet
Diet for a Small Planet by Frances Moore Lappe
Fat Land by Greg Critser
In Defense of Food by Michael Pollan
Stuffed and Starved by Raj Patel
The Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan
