Contributing to Our Table, Contributing to Our World
As a society we have become increasingly disassociated with agriculture. The connection is practically transparent between the carton of milk or package of cheese a shopper picks up in a supermarket in say New Hampshire and the New England dairy farm it originated from (via a processing plant) less than a day’s journey away. That connection, however, is very real and in impending crisis. Due to low prices set by the federal government and high production costs hundreds of family farmers in New England are being driven off their farms. Men and women who for generations have been working the land, tending their herds, and making sure the general public has milk in the fridge, are losing out in a big way.
Help family farmers stay in business support Keep Local Farms (KLF). Help KLF maintain a way of life this country was founded on by promoting the purchase of all milk and dairy products, educating consumers about the important value dairy farms and open land bring to communities, and providing New England dairy farmers who are part of KLF with semi-annual payments to help stabilize and enhance their income despite fluctuations of milk prices.
KLF is part of a broad effort to get the public back on track by connecting consumers with local dairy farmers.
Through films, books, and numerous articles we have access to information about how to become part of the solution. How to fill our bodies with fresh, delicious nutrients essential to our well being and how to help those who provide said nutrients.
Just look at the fun opportunities…
More and more chefs are seeking to minimize the distance fresh ingredients travel from field to table. Shares in CSAs are filled up at many farms, crowds are heading to fields to pick their own produce, people are getting back to the land, home garden supplies are popular, and farmers markets have pitched tents in city centers.
Need a few more ideas, okay how about these: cheesecake, homestyle pudding, homemade macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes, and a nice creamy soup made from scratch. Take some time with your family to enjoy dairy and think about the families a stretch down the road, across town…who care that you do. Milk and cookies anyone?
Bottom photo Martha Stewart.com.
