Farm to Table

Let’s face it, sometimes it’s so much easier to stop by the local takeaway or fast food restaurant to grab a quick burger. The fast food phenomenon, with it’s convenience and cheap prices has quickly overtaken the will to cook from scratch at home and to spend the evening teaching our children the value of wholesome food, and knowing where it came from.

The Farm to Table Movement is an ever-growing group of like-minded people wanting to get closer to the origins of their food. People no longer want to fill the wallets of big corporations and generic supermarkets looking for the biggest profit margins. The focus is shifting to quality.  A carrot from the supermarket bears little similarity to a carrot you can purchase from the local Farmer’s market. Nowadays we tend to opt for the easy option and buy microwavable meals that are made up of chemicals and additives. Little do we realize the range of fresh, organic, local food right on our doorstep. Farm to Table’s outlook is not so much about planting, but nourishing the plentiful good seeds already sprouting close to home. This begs the question, what more could we be doing to get closer to our food and those who produce it?

Buy Locally

The Farm To Table philosophy relies on each individual’s ability to support local farms and businesses! You can support local producers simply by buying fruit, vegetables, fresh eggs and meat from them. Take time out to shop at farmers’ markets. Many people worry that buying locally means buying at a premium, but that is not necessarily true. You will be able to meet with the producer face to face, and if you feel the price is too high there is always room to haggle! Be careful to seek out producers whose practices are organic, humane, and sustainable.

Grow Your Own

Ok so you might not have acres of land, but it is possible to grow your own even without a back yard! A windowsill and a plant pot is all you need to grow your own herbs! If you have a larger yard or allotment think about growing your own veg or even getting a few chickens for fresh eggs. Growing it yourself allows you to know exactly what is going into your food, but it also saves you money in the long run.

Eat Seasonally

Variety is the spice of life and eating in season means no two months menus are the same! Fruit and vegetables taste at their absolute best when eaten in season and it is better value too. Eat crisp salad in the summer, and a nutritious root vegetable stew in the winter; strawberries taste best in June, and good old brussel sprouts at Christmas.

Cook and Eat Together

To encourage making meals together consider cooking with your family, which is particularly beneficial to children. Cooking is an essential life skill that children need to learn, and also an excellent way for them to spend quality time with their family. Eating together is a great way to communicate and talk about the day, as well as savoring the meal you have cooked.

By making small changes to our lifestyle we can all contribute to society as a whole and impact the future of farming and agriculture in a positive way.