Agropraxis Farm

Our oldest child is working at a local farmstand for the summer. The farmstand offers a great variety of local in season produce, bakery items and much more in a friendly and unique setting. I spent time working there for parts of 3 seasons.Having a child there brings back memories and helps me realize that so many people are food illiterate. Food literacy was a part of growing up in my family. With roots that reach back to the farm and a garden part of our seasonal eating, A family that loves to eat good food! 

I have always been happy to inform and educate the many people I meet at market or through CSA. There is an element of satisfaction and enjoyment when a customer encounters a new vegetable, tries it and comes back the next week looking for more. Or asks what else do you  have... During the CSA season, I always liked the shareholders that had favorites and couldn't wait till the harvest season began for that crop. Helping those I encounter improve their food literacy is my guarantee of future success in producing food.

Some in the education world have made an effort to improve food literacy. California has a program that is focused on helping consumers make healthy and sustainable choices. Harvard began a project that looks to make good consumers for heath reasons. Personally, these are great efforts but highlight the domination of our food system by marketing and corporate interests. When food shoppers have the opportunity to shop at Farmers Markets and meet face to face with producers, we are making a step forward in raising our communities food literacy. 

The food literacy instilled in our family life has well prepared our child for the farmstand. Always the go to person when a question arises...helping to improve others food literacy.

 Farmer Pete