Good Food The Movie

I watched a movie today about the organic movement in the Pacific Northwest called, "Good Food." Watching it made me proud to be a part of the food industry here. I don't always think about the big picture when I'm close to a subject, and food is something I am very close to. By taking time out to watch this movie, I gained some perspective on where I want to take my career, and also the overall benefits of doing so.

Good Food is a movie that takes a look at the sustainable agriculture movement in the Pacific Northwest among farmers, ranchers, grocery stores, fast food, and restaurants. Any food system starts with the raw product. The premise of this movie is that by respecting the earth, livestock, and each other, we can create food that tastes great, is good for us, and is business smart. CSA's, Farmer's Markets, and local businesses all play a key role in supporting these farmer's efforts to cultivate food responsibly.

Personally, this movie made me reevaluate how I buy food and why. I suffer from some health issues, and I am painfully aware of how connected to the food I eat these particular problems are. But, if I buy more foods that are local, sustainable, seasonal, and organic, will this have an overall effect on my health? More importantly, how does it effect my neighbors and the planet?

My passion, my career focus, and my joy in life is nurturing others through food. This film has got me thinking that I should set my sights on mastering the art of creating seasonal masterpieces that look great, taste amazing, and nourish the entire person. In order to do that, I need to start playing with the wonderful variety of ingredients I have available to me locally and learn how to change with the seasons.

This is a new thought to me and a new challenge, but it springs from a deeply rooted value. Food should taste good and be good for you. Anything else, and we are loosing something of the goodness that God designed when He made it for us in the first place. If the earth, our neighbors, and our health doesn't benefit from what we eat, then can we really say we are sustaining our lives with our eating habits? I think the answer to this question is a clear, "No." So with this in mind, I set off with a new challenge but really return to the traditional way of doing things: learn to cook with the ingredients I have available to me in their times, get the best flavor out of every ingredient, and make a living while I am giving life to others. If this is the challenge that defines my life's work, I think it will be worth it.

Here's to sustainable cooking and food in all its forms as well as to inspiration to live from the depths of my values. May you discover something new about food too as you learn that life's goodness is really in food (well, a bit of its goodness, anyway!).

Happy Eating!