Getting back to the basics

Go back to the land. Slow down. Take it all in.
That’s what over 1,000 people did last weekend in honour of Slow Food Cycle Sunday, a back-to-the-land bike ride through the beautiful Pemberton Meadows. They came from all over, some with 10-speeds and others with bikes complete with radios and streamers.
It was a picture of something beautiful because people were coming out just to appreciate the miracle of farming. Cyclists explored the farmlands of Pemberton Meadows in order to meet local growers, sample fresh-from-the earth produce, and partake in the culinary talents of local chefs. It was a 50-kilometre bike ride that connected participants with more than a dozen farms.
The whole event, which started around a conversation between Lisa Richardson and Anna Helmer, is inspiring. Did you know that the Worldwatch Institute reports that the average food item eaten in North America has traveled anywhere between 2, 500 to 4,00 kilometres from farm to table. Last weekend riders were brought straight to the farms.
To be honest, I never gave my food sources much thought until I moved to the rural town of Pemberton. I was happy to sit back with my tub of Cheese wiz and crackers. Sure those apples from Fiji tasted a bit like cardboard but I never noticed. Growing up as a city kid in a city with the world’s biggest mall, I never gave farmer’s much thought.
As consumers in the “global market”, we tend to look for the best buys, with little thought of the true nutritional, environmental and social costs of what we purchase. If we care about our health, the environment and our farming communities, then we need to become better consumers and choose our groceries with care.
I think it’s easy to spout off ideals and much harder to live as good stewards of this planet. As a kid I started a environmental club for kids called Our Future. I lobbied the local MLA, made it on television, hit puberty, and tossed it all aside for the latest designer jeans. I’ll admit I walked away from a pre-pubescent crusade but it seems life has come full circle.
When you live in a breathtaking part of the world, there is a spiritual sense of appreciation. One of my favourite days this summer was hunched over in a strawberry bush. My fingers were stained red, the sun was brilliant, and I was eating the best strawberries ever to pass my lips.
I planted a garden this summer after receiving inspiration from Jordan Sturdy’s Community Garden Crusade. I’ve spent many hours in my tiny patch of land behind the house. Growing vegetables is not an easy task, it involves weeding, preparing the soil, and a whole lot of watering.
In the midst of the summer my seeds are now thriving vegetables. As a bonafide city kid, I am humbled by the miracle of growing. My friends will attest that everyone who visits my house gets a tour of the lettuce, tomatoes, peppers, carrots and beans. I am a bit enthusiastic.
I guess that is why I found the Slow Food Cycle so encouraging. It has challenged me to think about what I am buying and what I am eating. I am not saying we should all go Vegan but small steps of stewardship are possible. It’s both the effort and result that is redemptive and beautiful. Eating locally has become a bit trendy but why not try it for a while. It’s not easy but nothing worthwhile is.