Food: A Cornerstone of Community Sustainability
Henry Kissinger once said, more or less, “If you control oil, you control nations; if you control food, you control people.” As we can see today, this remains a very true statement as our food supply becomes more and more centralized, and we are becoming more dependent on the fossil resources of other countries. In the face of this, many have turned to more sustainable options. This is why the farmer’s market is important. The people there are your neighbors, and they are growing food and making food to sustain themselves, their families, and you. There is a real sense of community at the farmer’s market, and it offers a great opportunity to gather and talk to your neighbors.
There are many problems that are now becoming apparent regarding the industrialization of food, and a lack of local control is one of the main issues. The farmer’s market offers a real solution to that. The Covington Farmer’s Market takes place on Wednesdays from 10 am to 2 pm at the Covington Trail Head, and Saturdays from 8 am to 12 pm at the 600 block of Columbia Street (in front of the Covington Police Department). You can visit the website for the market at www.covingtonfarmersmarket.org. Sign up for the e-newsletter written by market vendor Charlene LeJeune and it will make you smile every week. It details what is available from all your favorite booths, plus it lists what great music and delicious food demonstrations you can expect to experience.
Appreciating Seasonal Availability
There’s another famous quote, this time by Theodore Roosevelt, “do what you can with what you have where you are.” In relation to seasonal availability, it is important to use the resources that are available to you where you are.. Ethnobotany finds that certain local plants may be used to treat problems specific to that given area. With this in mind, the importance of seasonal availability becomes even more significant. Some cold weather crops include greens, root vegetables, potatoes and broccoli to name a few. Leafy vegetables are a great source of fiber, packed with vitamins and minerals. Kale, collards, turnip greens and Swiss chard are all very nutritious, and all are generally available at the Saturday Farmer’s Market. Root vegetables are also a great source of fiber, vitamins and minerals. The rutabaga, also known as the Swedish turnip, is a root vegetable that came about as a cross between the cabbage and the turnip.
