By skyforbes 
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In the northeastern United States, there is a common misconception that local food can only be eaten in late summer/early fall. When we picture “local food,” we think fresh tomatoes, greens, potatoes, etc. Once the cold weather arrives, we assume that it’s the end of local eating until next summer. The essence of this poster is that eating local shouldn’t be limited to a specific time of year. When one has the means to eat locally produced food, one should attempt to do so. However, I live in Burlington, Vermont so I understand that the resources I have access to here are far different than those elsewhere in the world. There is a year-round farmers market and a co-op downtown that provide local food. Additionally, Burlington sits in Chittenden County, which is the wealthiest county in the state of Vermont. I also understand, especially as a college student, that local food can cost more. All that being said, when able, local food is worthy purchase. Put ya dollars in the pockets of nearby farmers! |
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Going to school in Burlington, my peers and I are enveloped in a bubble that presents all of Vermont as the “progressive,” wealthy Queen City we reside in. We falsely assume that the rest of the city, the rest of Chittenden County, and the rest of the state are hot and bothered about quinoa and sprouts and can regularly afford new Blundstones and Birkenstocks. The reality is that food insecurity is incredibly prevalent in the beautiful green mountain state. Food insecurity, which is slightly different from hunger, is not having a reliable, steady access to food. It can be having to choose between paying for gas to get to work and paying for a meal. It can be having a negative balance in your bank account and an empty pantry. It can look like a lot of things, and it isn’t something you can see by looking at someone. And it’s here in Chittenden County, the wealthiest county in Vermont. According to Hunger Free Vermont, 1 in 8 Chittenden County residents is food insecure. Additionally, 1 in 3 Chittenden County children uses food assistance programs (such as free or reduced-price lunch). Vermont absolutely has to do better. Certain organizations, such as the Vermont Foodbank, Hunger Free Vermont, and the Chittenden Emergency Food Shelf, do incredible work in ensuring some food for the folks struggling with food insecurity. However, food insecurity is a systemic problem: minimum wage needs to become a living wage, more funding needs to go into food assistance programs, more education needs to be provided on how to afford [healthy] food and on how to cook with it. Overall, the general public needs to be aware that these issues exist, they need to understand that it’s not embarrassing to seek help, and they need to promote food justice initiatives. Acknowledging that there is a problem is the first step. |