Food Desert

I have been living in Bosque Farms, NM on a small, 4 acre farm since 1992.   We've grown some of our own food in a little kitchen garden but for the most part the majority of the property has been given over to pasture a few sheep and chickens or to simply enjoy as lawn and ornamental gardens.   Funny enough  - it is only recently that I've been taken over by the idea of putting the land to better use in feeding my family and community.
I was thinking about 'food deserts' (not 'desserts') after hearing a radio piece about large urban areas where residents don't have any nearby food options - other than fast food or junk food.   It suddenly dawned on me that  -although we live in one of the few arable, green belts in our region- we have few food options other than fast food burgers or driving half an hour to a grocery store.   There is not one spot in my village where I can buy and eat something that is grown nearby.   OK- I make exception for the fantastic green chile our valley produces and that is included in every taco or enchilada you'll find down here.  We do have some regional food pride.  It's true.  But why is that the only option? 

Me and my good looking kids.

I'm not a Suzie home-maker who is looking around for more work to add to my already busy life. I commute to work in the film industry (with long work hours comparable to farming) and have young adult children and household daily duties to fill my time.
So I'm not out to be 'holier than now' by eating triple organic, vegan, labor intensive food.   I just want options.  I want to eat something fresh.  I want to choose items that I know their origin.   I don't want to contribute to insane energy use just to get my out-of-season fruit here from South America.  I'm willing to eat what is in season or I will learn how to preserve and store it for later use.   I don't want to buy into the corporate farming model of dependency and value added processing of food.  I want to have the farmer earn a higher percentage of the food dollar.  I can pay more of my family budget  to have honest food raised in simple, humane fashion.  (the US home food budget is at an all time record low percentage of income.)  I do not want to support 'concentration camps' of animals forced to live an unnatural life on hormones and antibiotics.  I know that there is no such thing as cheap food.   It might seem inexpensive to pay less out of pocket for Walmart products but the true cost to society and the environment is hidden and immense.
Is it a political statement I'm making to eat this way?  Perhaps.
Is it any different than our grandparents ate in their time?  Nope.
Or any different than eating habits of less wealthy people?  Not a bit.   Economics drive their choices.

Regional delights of Sonoma county, CA

Is it any different than what communities in European countries practice? Not at all.  And in fact this method of food production is expected and protected by law in many regions.  But even there the small, individually run food store is fast loosing ground to the industrial chains.
Is it my thinking new and trendy?  Sure.
The return to simplicity and sustainability is increasingly popular and is embraced more and more by my son and daughter's generation.  Because they get it.  They know there really is no other choice than to reject this completely insupportable system we live in now.
In just 2 generations our habits have drawn us away from knowing where our food comes from or caring what is in our food or even having control over what we put on our plates.   The US population is overweight and in poor health because we've been sucked into consuming more empty calories than our bodies could ever need.   Ask yourself who profits from that.  Hmmmm....
So- that's how I feel!  What do you think?!

I know where this egg came from!!