It's the Food System, Stupid

Crank back to Bill Clinton's 1992 presidential campaign, when Democratic strategist James Carville hung a sign in the campaign headquarters in Little Rock detailing the three key messages of Clinton's campaign.  Point two read, "The economy, stupid."  The phrase - meant to be an internal campaign slogan - caught on, and entered popular culture. 

That phrase might now read "It's the Food System, Stupid." Tonight I read a breaking CNN story on the worsening international situation vis-a-vis skyrocketing food prices.  Riots continue in Haiti, Egypt and Zimbabwe; Bangladesh is the site of the latest civil unrest centered on food prices and shortages.  Expect more nations to experience food riots in the upcoming days and weeks.  Expect some of these nations to experience serious political destabilization.  And expect impacts from the international situation to affect us domestically; America has vital strategic interests in a number of these nations (particularly Egypt).

Historians know that nations that cannot keep food supplies cheap, abundant and secure are in trouble.  Food is national security.  Food, fuel and the rise and fall of nations are inextricably linked.  If the cost of fuel rises, the price of food will rise as well. That's the big picture.

The small picture - but the one with emotional impact - is the middle-class mom in my community who reported to a local newspaper that she didn't buy eggs this week because "they were too expensive."  Eggs are expensive. The price of nearly food item has risen lately, and the increase in food prices has far surpassed any concurrent rise in income that families may have experienced. 

I spent my lunch hour walking through the grocery store today, looking at prices and wondering, "How the heck are people going to do this?"  I saw more people pondering their food choices in the aisles.  Baskets didn't seem as full.  I know that I've been much more careful about closely following my own shopping list. We are buying more of our food directly from farmer's stands in our area, which is certainly a cheaper, fresher and more sustainable alternative than the chain grocery store.  But that's an option that many Americans don't have.

There is so much newspaper space devoted to rising food costs right now.  It, more than even our presidential election, is the story of the year. However, most of the articles overlook an important part of the solution: gardening.  Gardening can help families bridge the gap in challenging economic times.  Even a modest container garden can help the budget.  A larger garden can become an integral part of a family's diet, and can also provide a low-cost, healthy and fun alternative to more expensive activities. 

The federal government is going to have to step in to address rising food prices.  It's an issue of national security.  And any part of a government plan to address rising food costs should include promoting school, home and community garden programs.  Yes, it's the economy, but it's also the food system.

"A Garden for Everyone.  Everyone in a Garden."