There is something great about going grocery shopping. This may make me seem boring and lame but I really enjoy a good night strolling the isles. Thinking about meals, researching new recipes, putting my own healthy twist on traditional comfort food and buying nutritious delicacies is part of a happy home. Sometimes I feel bad for Eric because I get in the " zone" at the grocery store. I get to allow my creative side spill out as I think of different food items and strategize great taste pairings, balance and variety.
Food is essential. Caring for your body is to care for your spirit. If the emotional, social, spiritual and physical self is linked than neglecting one means the other parts of you may suffer. I am not saying that you must share in my joyous over thought about meals to be concisely healthy, but I am challenged at why many people I know from the inner city are not into food the way upper class foodies are. Some conclusions stemming from observation are money, time, inability to be creative, tastes, and lack of availability.
It is obvious that money plays a role in this lack of interest from many of the families I have met in urban environments. Concepts like "get more for your money" was something I heard growing up. I think that this frame of mind has been adopted into households and it stems from poverty. Is nutritious eating really that expensive? Are there ways to be intentionally healthy on a tight budget?
Time may be another contributor to the malnutrition that happens in a city. If a working single mom barley has time to do a load of laundry, how much spare thought and time can she take to be creative in stretching her money, planning meals and taking elongated amounts of time to prepare fresh food? If single parents had help planning a grocery list where the meals were accounted for in the beginning of the pay period, would the food last longer into the month?
Several families I have interacted with get their food from food banks and subsidized grocery outlets. I have experienced some food banks that focus on variety, balance and wellness but most I have volunteered around are simply bags of leftovers. Basically compromised of carbohydrates and canned goods( because most food drives are non perishable). I guess it could be somewhat hard to be creative with miscellaneous items you've been given and haven't picked out. How do you taste pair pickled beets, apple sauce, black olives, and hostess cakes if that's what you are provided with? One grab bag like that and perhaps some of my motivation would diminish.
When the first of the month comes in the city, check cashing companies have lines out the door. Most of the time families have emptied their food bank bag for the previous week and are ready to feast. When it comes time to eat people want what is flavorful and good. Often times the taste bud associates salt and sugar strongly to the mind. What is salty is good and what is sugary is better. This in my mind is almost a subconscious addiction. If one is not used to other tastes and seasonings then going for what is saltiest and sweetest is therefore the best. I think that broadening taste ranges and exploration of new foods heightens the desire to eat more balanced meals. Unfortunately many communities don't have direct access to grocery stores that provide such variety at affordable prices.
In Oakland there are two Trader Joe's- One in Rockeridge and one at Lakeshore Blvd. This place has good prices and semi exotic varieties. The expansive affordable selection far surpasses the markets that are attempting to provide to poorer communities. I think that TJ's selection and size is because they get a great income from their customers spending. They cater to us, foodies and not to poor communities. I'm thankful but sad. These stores are far removed from the communities is need of nutrition. Is there a huge risk in placing one in a West or East Oakland community? Why have local farmer's markets found a way to take EBT cards and food stamps but TJs hasn't?
On the bright side, people can use EBT and Foodstamps at farmers markets across Oakland. There are so many farmers markets in this city! The vibrant life that food brings to a community is so evident whenever one is attending one of these markets. Fresh produce can be bought at affordable prices and the spirit of socializing is activated. I think that grocery stores say a lot about a community. A grocery store helps sustain a family. A grocery store speaks when it treats its workers fairly, gets active in its community, fights for fair trade, makes leaps toward organic living, educates residents, and keeps prices affordable.
In conclusion, I think that I am blessed for the food choices I have. I thank God that I find joy in meal planning and nutrition. Not everybody has the motivation to think creatively and strategically when it comes to nutrition. I count it a blessing that I can go food shopping and afford the gas it takes to cook a meal. Thank you Lord, help me to help others access this joy I have found.
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