End of the Semester Evaluation

"All of our ingredients have lived rich, full lives."

... This should always be the case!

Wow. This semester has opened my eyes to the world. Ever since coming to school, I have been realizing that the world is not as rose colored as many people make it seem. I have come to understand how corrupt the food industry is and I cannot comprehend why people would go this far all for the sake of money. However, I do have a better understanding of how I can change it. By spreading awareness, I can make a difference in the world around me. I am aware that I cannot change the world in a day, but I can make small changes in my life and the lives of others around me.
One of the most interesting things that I have discovered about the slow food movement is that those involved with it are very likely to be involved with other philanthropic causes. For example, not only does the food co-op support local food, it supports the non-GMO project, BPA free products, sustainability and taking care of the environment and fair trade, humane practices. This all makes sense in my eyes, but somehow it does not make sense in the eyes of others. For example, have you ever seen stop and shop or walmart promoting sustainability and fair trade? If you have, did it last more than a week? Do they promote it with more than just a couple products? Of course not. Those involved with the slow food movement have made a lifetime commitment to food justice.
Learning about the food justice has also taught me some life lessons, some of which i have already talked about in previous posts. I have learned that simplicity should be a staple in everyone's life. A couple days ago I looked around my room and just thought about how much STUFF I have. Clothing, decorations, jewelry and other STUFFs that i don't even have uses for. I felt cluttered and I want to remove everything that does not have meaning in my life. I want to live a simpler life. Day by day I understand what is important in life and it is not all of the junk that I keep stored in my room. I am fascinated by the idea of living to hunt and gather food and then convene to enjoy it. Just picture this in your mind. My mind has painted a picture of a campfire with food over it in the woods, nature surrounding us. Imagine living this life, bonding over food with the people you love. Nothing unnecessary about that life.