It is time to pay attention to where our food comes from PERSPECTIVE

The last couple of weeks have been emotionally draining as we watch the devastion of the flood waters rip through so many towns and properties.   

One of the results of the floods is the break down of our €œnormal€ life,  within days unleaded petrol is sold out and the supermarkets don€™t have any fruit & veg, milk or bread.  

I don€™t rely on any of these products from a supermarket, but the majority of people do. It made me realise the panic that was likely to set in as people have  no food security of there own.  

Food: who do we rely on for our food?

At the Noosa Farmer€™s Market last Sunday many stall holders had a lot less produce to sell and people seemed to be in a fenzy purchasing what they could.   

We need to learn from these experiences and ask:  How could I take more control of my food and not rely of trucks to bring it from all over Australia?.

 I€™m not talking about being totally self sufficient here, that would be very difficult but I would like to share some ideas with you, outside the pantry!

*Sprouting - one of the most nutritious, fastest, cheapest and easiest ways to grow fresh food.  There are lots of different seeds you can sprout and they are ready in two to three days, all you need is a big jar, muslin, seeds and access to clear water twice a day. Sprouting seeds are available from organic food stores or seed companies (mail order).

*Go Potty -  start growing food in pots, in such wet weather pots have more drainage and you can move them around depending on the weather. Buy some seeds or seedlings  and you can start eating those in a couple of weeks by harvesting the outer leaves of plants eg: lettuce while the inside still grows.

*Start a veggie garden.  Supply of fresh food will be affected for some time with all the floods so its time we took some responsibility for  our food supply.

Not only will it save you money and keep you fitter, it is the healthiest way to eat. Look at it as a living pantry in your backyard.

For more information on starting organic gardens, sprouting, etc, read Eat Your Garden, organic gardening for home and schools.

Marochy Community Gardens at Yandina has a wide range of tropical vegies that you can purchase.
They are open Tuesdays and Saturdays.

Noosa News Biosphere Page  January 25, 2011
It is time to pay attention to where our food comes from PERSPECTIVE
Leonie Shanahan  Author of Eat Your Garden
Food: who do we rely on for our food?