This is something a lot of us do not even think about, perhaps due to the abundance of food available both fresh and packaged. But for others in poorer and less developed commUNITY’S, the FOOD SHORTAGE is a massive INSECURITY and as a basic human right, this should not be so. So let’s take a look at some of the reasons why food is become scarce, why seed stocks are being hoarded, by whom and why? What can happen, what goodness can happen from this and can this happen to FIRST WORLD COUNTIRES like AUSTRALIA??
I know that this topic may cause concern or discomfort, but it is also a very important topic we must address and not ignore and become more apathetic. This blog has come forward from the seriousness of COVID and the weaknesses exposed from it.
What is FOOD SECURITY? Well simply put, it means to ENSURE FOOD and SEED is available to ALL whether they are in FIRST WORLD or THIRD WORLD STATUS. These names are derogatory in my opinion but that is another story. However, I think it should be in reverse. For when we see FIRST WORLD countries and the health issues attributed to the over supply of foods, both FRESH and HIGHLY PROCESSED, we clearly have an issue. On the contrary, the LOWER INCOME countries do not have the same health or UNHEALTHY issues and lifestyles as the FIRST WORLD does. Many FIRST WORLD countries also heavily contribute to PLANETARY FOOD WASTE. Overwhelming FOOD SELECTIONS and the availability of constant access are some of the main contributors to FOOD WASTE. Somewhere around about 7-8 MILLION TONNES goes to waste right here in AUSTRALIA PER ANUM. The outrageous COSTS OF LIVING make even getting the STAPLES for your home a costly exercise, but to see the amounts of PROCESSED FOODS and SUGARS, SALTS etc cheaper than HEALTHY WHOLEFOODS and FRESH PRODUCE exacerbating this situation and making no sense at all, piffle excuses from OUR LEADERS, so, let’s do this ourselves as we did once before.
PLANT SELECTION and SEED AVAILABILITY make GROWING YOUR OWN HARDER as BIOSECUIRTY and GRUBBERMENT SEED OPPRESSION leave us with a small selection of seeds and a small amount of seeds to the public. Controlling again, what we can and cannot have. Thus leaving a lot with only a few options. Those being CHEAP FOODS and PROCESSED CHEAPER FOODS. The balance is way out. EXPORTING FRESH PRODUCE and IMPORTING SECOND CLASS, LESS REGULATED, SPRAY FILLED crops and fruits is just plain MORONIC, FISCALLY IRRESPONSIBLE and HARMFUL. BUT, is it PUBLIC HEALTH or MONETARY WEALTH said IMPORT/EXPORT INDUSTRIES and grubberments are after? Their proof is in the pudding so to speak.
This is sounding negative, but, fear not as there is a POSITIVE WAY FORWARD FOR ALL, INCLUDING BLESSED MUMMA EARTH. There is so much to be thankful for and so much we can do TOGETHER. NO ONE PERSON CAN DO THIS, BUT IT STARTS WITH ONE PERSON TEACHING ANOTHER PERSON. IT’S UP TO ALL OF US, AND TOGETHER WE GROW. WE MUST DO SOMETHING TOGETHER TO SECURE OUR HEALTH, WELLBEING, FOOD/PRODUCE, SEED STOCK and CONNECTION TO COUNTRY/ONE ANOTHER.
As we cannot really trust the governments to assist with humility and honesty, it is UP TO US as a COLLECTIVE to continue to grow and replenish our available SEED STOCK, CULTIVARS and PROCUCE/HARVESTS. Yes we have to be aware of INVASIVE SEEDS and think carefully about the ECOLOGY in both BOTANICAL and BIODIVERSITY/ENVIRONMENTAL thought, but also ensure our FOOD SECURITY is MAXIMIZED. The government’s and FOOD INDUSTY with it’s WEALTHY HEAVY HANDEDNESS, is a GOLDEN GOOSE to the ECONOMY. BUT, IS IT REALLY? Does it BENEFIT ALL or SOME?
Yes some do care and do a good job and that really is fantastic, but allopathic government conditioning and culture, apathy and disposition are among the main reasons FOOD SECURITY is not a HIGH PRIORITY. This comes down to EDUCATION and AWARENESS. We MUST as a commUNITY, become ORGANIZED and CENTRALIZED, FOCUSED and HUMBLE, ACTIVELY WORKING towards a BETTER, BRIGHTER, HEALTHIER WAY OF LIFE FOR ALL. This is a GLOBAL ISSUE and NEEDS a GLOBAL SOLUTION, starting at the home, schools and education sectors. Introducing a BALANCE between TECHNOLOGY and HORTICULTURE, NUTRITION AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION. Set the CHILDREN UPRIGHT/ UP RIGHT.
SEED SHARING, SEED BREEDING and SEED COLLECTION, PLANT SWAPPING and COLLECTIVELY SECURING our OWN FOOD SOURCES as GRASS ROOTS and SHOOTS. Why not start a small SCHOOL commUNITY GARDEN? Utilizing NATURE, INDIGENOUS FOODS and CULTURE, moving away from PICTURE PERFECT PRODUCE and start looking at the blemishes and holes, which also shows the LIMITED use of PESTICIDES, and CHEMICL SPRAYS. (If your garden is not being eaten by bugs, it’s not part of the ECOSYSTEM. If they WILL NOT EAT IT, then WHY SHOULD/WOULD YOU??) Teaching the YOUTH how to GROW and CULTIVATE LOVE, TOGETHERNESS, ACCEPTANCE, HEALTH, STRENGTH, along with vibrant, upful and healing foods. HEALING of the NATIONS.
Start today by becoming more open and CONSCIOUS about WHAT YOU ARE EATING, where it comes from, what is your precipice or line in the sand moment for food and fresh food, health and connection, does it need adjusting?
Join up with SUBURBAN FARMER’s community FOOD SHARING/LIVITY PROGRAM or commUNITY GARDEN and start networking with others, to ensure we ALL have HEALTH as the REAL WEALTH at the forefront of our commUNITY’s, FUTURE and MOST IMPORTANTLY…THE YOUTH OF TOMORROW.
With an abundance of LOVE
Ras MARK suburban farmer 2019