By Marisa Vrooman
Lately, our staff has been talking about how we can build the most resilient local communities possible. With the myriad of expertise, access to natural resources, and large agricultural bounty in our region, I feel very optimistic that our community has what it takes to weather any storm that comes our way.
One of the most important areas to build resiliency is in our food system. A 2023 article, How to Make Sure Food is Available in a Crisis, published by John Hopkins University, posits that the pandemic gave us a glimpse into the weaknesses of our food systems. And that one of the most important things communities can do is build a strong, local food system, which is more impervious to supply chain disruptions. “In the food system, resiliency is the capacity over time to provide sufficient, appropriate, and acceptable food to all—even in the case of unforeseen disturbances.” A robust local food system ensures that a community is more self-reliant and can adapt quickly to any disruptions that may occur, naturally or man-made.
The great news – our region is in a really good place compared to many other areas. One of our region’s greatest assets is the agricultural land that surrounds us. A robust local food system is paramount to buffering some of the global influences over which we have very little control.
Making a conscious choice to source more food locally is a great way to support our neighbors, build resilience in our community, nurture our bodies, and take better care of the environment. Our Farm Club provides an opportunity to sample some of the best our area has to offer. Not only do our members enjoy Oakencroft farm and wine products, but they receive other seasonal products that are tried and true. In our first Farm Club pick up this spring, we’re including an edible pollinator seed sprinkle from FLORA, spring veggies from Bellair Farm, and our favorite local mead from Thistle Rock Mead Co, along with some other springtime favorites. We’re excited about the wide variety of partners and products we are putting together for our members this year.
Visiting a local farmers market is one of my favorite activities – whether at home or when we are traveling. One of my favorite chefs calls our region “a literal bread basket”, and she is absolutely correct. We have so many high quality producers who labor endlessly in their efforts to expand local offerings of food grown close to home. They grow vegetables, raise ethical meat of all kinds, make cheese, mill grains, make preserves, grow flowers, make all kinds of delicious baked goods, maintain fruit orchards, harvest honey, grow exotic mushrooms, and the list goes on and on. These neighbors and their businesses are a local treasure and one that we should never take for granted.
If you’re looking for a way to make a positive impact in our community, consider joining a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) this year or shopping directly from producers at the multitude of Farmers’ Markets in our area. For a list of options available, check out Piedmont Environmental Council’s (PEC) Buy Fresh Buy Local directory or head to the nearest Farmers’ Market this spring. Many will be opening back up very soon and the wide variety of products will be a delight to take in after a long and cold winter. Hope to see you at a market soon!