Food Day 2011

Hello All,

I just wanted to say that I hope you had a wonderful and delicious 1st annual National Food Day. I love the idea that this could be the start of a powerful and life changing American tradition and that hopefully, in the future, it won’t take a designated day to make us eat healthy, eat locally, and enjoy meals with friends. These are the pleasures we should take part in at all times.

My community got really into this movement, extending the “Food Day” into a “Food Week”. My college is hosting food documentaries throughout the week, the town’s Co-op grocery store is having a kids food and craft session as well as a canning workshop. But most exciting was the big community breakfast we had this morning. All foodies of the community as well as our local farmers came out to gather and enjoy a simple yet healthy and entirely locally sourced breakfast. All benefits went to the food bank too.

We were treated to sweet potato pancakes with honey butter and real maple syrup, free-range scrambled eggs, pasture-raised and local bacon and sausage, baked local apples, apple cider, and fair-trade coffee. Needless to say, it was delicious. But the real importance of the event wasn’t the food but the building of community spirit. I hardly knew anyone there yet I still went and was gathered graciously into the community’s arms. I sat at a table with strangers, discussing food, our passions, and just our lives. Two talented ladies performed bluegrass music, filling the air with a liveliness that contrasted so nicely with the frosty cold air. Bundled up and bleary eyed as I was, I still felt a warmth in my heart and as strong sense of intense awakening as I realized just how much I admire this community I am living in.

A morning spent with good food and friendly, passionate people. I can’t think of a better way to start the day.