"I didn't think I liked tomatoes until I had a good one!" Dave Matthews admitted with a smile as he fielded questions at the September 18th press conference kicking off this year's Farm Aid benefit concert, celebrating 20 years of commitment to the American family farm.
The rocker, also a Farm Aid board member, was referring to the incomparable flavor and freshness that accompanies locally grown foods. Sadly, Matthews' tomato envy is all too common today as the switch to a more global and industrialized agricultural system has resulted in grocer shelves often stocked with more bland tasting produce.
Today's consumer has all but lost any connection to fresh food and farming. We weren't trained that each fruit and vegetable has a growing season. Instead, our palates have become accustomed to pale, grainy tomatoes and pink-hued, hollowed strawberries that are bred to travel long distances and endure storage. Moreover, few of us have ever met the farmer who grows our food, or even stepped foot on a farm.
Luckily, our palates still have a fighting chance.
"Changing the food you buy changes the way your food is grown," said Caroline Mugar, Farm Aid's Executive Director, at the September concert. Mugar is one of many advocates who believe that if consumer demand is strong enough, purchasers can impact the way our food is grown and more importantly, the way it tastes.
But what if you don't buy the food you eat? For many college students, food purchasing decisions are left up to dining services or to parents who prepare meals during school breaks. If this sounds familiar to you, don't give up! There's still room for even cafeteria-bound undergrads to take action.
-Become familiar with student campaigns. Tufts Food Awareness Project (TFAP) is a campus initiative working to get more locally produced and seasonal selections into the dining halls and caf?©?® Keep your eye out for TFAP sponsored events, including this fall's Harvest festival beginning October 17th.
-Make a local connection Farmers' markets continue to open across the nation. They have increased 111 percent since 1994, according to the US Department of Agriculture. Take a stroll to the Davis Square market (located on the corner of Day and Herbert Streets), and enjoy the sweet offerings of a New England late harvest. Apples, pumpkins, squashes and corn are ripe for the tasting every Wednesday through November from 12 to 6 p.m.
-Pick your own. Many local farmers have created opportunities for community members to experience farm life. Fall in New England is synonymous with apple-picking, so gather a group of friends for a crisp afternoon in the orchards and support the survival of this local cultural tradition.
-Use your voice and volunteer. Farm Aid's office is located a few miles down the road from Tufts in Somerville (www.farmaid.org). Community gardens such as the Growing Center (www.thegrowingcenter.org) are also nearby. Join a political organization or effort to support local farmers and be a part of the movement toward a more sustainable (and delicious!) agricultural system.
Hilde Petersen is a doctoral student in the Agriculture, Food & Environment program at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy.
