Farm-to-table in your garage, is it possible?
August 09, 2021
You say it’s organic and fresh? Of course, we want that on our plates!
“What’s for dinner?” is a perpetually asked question at home everyday. Yesterday, we had pasta. The other night, we had grilled steak. Two nights ago, we had Chinese takeout. And if we are going to list the menu for the past week, we might see a repeat.
Just thinking of what to cook--or order if we do not want to cook or simply do not have the time--has become a tedious task for many of us. But it would not be that hard if we get the thrill of having to harvest the ingredients from our own homes.
And during these times that COVID-19 pandemic has struck the world and slowed down activities outside our homes, we are advised to stay at home to prevent contracting and spreading the virus. Picking our vegetables from the comforts of our homes will lessen our exposure outside. Healthy lifestyle starts from the food we eat. Thus, in-door farming can be beneficial for the whole family.
The idea of farm-to-table stems from producing organic food just outside your kitchen, literally. By rule of thumb, it is sourcing organic produce within a 100-mile radius of your home.
So why is farm-to-table THAT beneficial to us? It is also by definition a naturally grown produce. This means that it is sustainable, cheaper, safe and clean.
It is sustainable food because the food production guarantees that the environment--people, animals, plants, lands are safeguarded. It is miles away from the industrialized and processed foods that cause air and water pollution, soil erosion, and use of artificial and synthetic pesticides, which we all know--and backed up by studies, have lingering harmful effects on us. And most processed produce are genetically modified to cater to large demands and big batches of exports. Sustainable foods veer away from the toxic elements, which allow healthy ecosystems to flourish.
Locally-produced foods are definitely cheaper than the grocery-bought goods. Why, you may ask? It is because after harvesting the foods, it directly goes to the kitchen for individuals and local markets for local farmers. The overhead price of transportation and rent are already deducted in the price. Of course, it is much cheaper if you grow your vegetables on your own property. But supporting your local farmers can give them the much-needed morale and financial support.
Farm-to-table offers a healthy diet and fresh food. There is a vast wealth of health in this! It decreases the risk of getting diseases that we get from the diet and food that we consume. Fruits and vegetables retain higher levels of nutrients and taste better when freshly picked and go straight to your kitchen. The lengthy transporting and storing of produce can lose the much needed nutrients we can benefit from them. Also, most are picked unripe to compensate for the travel time so that by the time they hit the shelves, the produce will still look freshly picked and beautiful. Also, these goods that we find in the supermarket undergo preservation by adding additives. Having locally-produced (or even home-produced) goods reduces the carbon footprint and fossil fuels that the food industry creates.