One thing that keeps coming up over and over again is the lack of food security for those living in poverty in the United States. And now the prices are so high it is affecting the shrinking middle class as well. Food security is an issue everywhere as large corporations have colonized both our supply and our production capacity. But, as prices skyrocket, the system now in place hurts poor people first, and hurts them the worst. There are many right now that must choose between food and electricity. This guide is a small primer on some methods to eat well every day, save your health, and reclaim one of the basic pleasures of life.
The first line of defense is to grow a garden, whether it is on land you control, or in little containers. Whether you do it alone, or with friends and neighbors, just get out there and grow some food. If you don’t know how to grow your own food, now is a good time to start learning. There are master gardener groups in many areas that can help answer questions. The people at your local seed supply will be able to suggest good plants for your ecosystem. There may be a free or very cheap class at your local junior college. Or, you could just ask around till you find someone in your world that is a class A gardener. Gardeners love to talk about what they do. Just ask.
Keeping chickens is also a great idea. Even in cities there is often an urban poultry ordinance that will allow you a few hens. For the cost of a bit of feed you will have eggs. A rich source of protein and a necessity for most baking.
Once you get the garden in, or, if you can't garden for any reason, there are a few other things you can do. Shop at a food co-op and buy bulk. The savings on 25 bags of beans and grains is substantial and if you can't use that much before it goes bad, split it with a neighbor. I am getting things like split peas and rice at about 40% off what the local indie market charges.
It helps to buy and cook some things in quantity so you don't end up eating fast food. For that a small box freezer is worth every penny. See if you can get one used, and failing that, wait for a big sale.
If there is no co-op, consider starting a buyers club. You will need some neighbors and friends who care enough about food to split the work. The hardest thing to provide for when we are food insecure is getting enough protein and produce. If you live in a rural area or know someone who does, maybe you can get a beef share and get the cost per pound down. You can also try to trade for something they want that you have. Some community supported agriculture (CSA) programs have a work/trade option.
If you want to avoid waste and eat well, know exactly what your needs are calorically and nutritionally. Poor folks get sick because of loading up on cheap carbs to fill their basic metabolic requirements. But we actually don't need as much protein as we think. I am 65 and 4'11". I need a quarter pound a day. That is only seven pounds a month. Find out how many grams you need by searching online for a protein requirement calculator. Also a calorie requirement calculator. Do the same for your entire household if you live with others. This research will tell you on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis how many calories and how much protein you need to run through your system.
For fats and produce you will have to get more creative. One thing I do is make creme fraiche and yogurt each week. These two items add richness and give a feeling of satisfaction. A good spice rack is also a way to add interest and prevent boredom and food fatigue. Herbs are easy to grow on a windowsill, and spices are cheap when you go to the bulk bin and buy just what you need.
Get to know the people that feed you. Even if you live in the city you can ask questions about where your food comes from, and make wise decisions accordingly. It is also necessary to get involved politically. The corporations in the factory farming business and in the convenience food business have a vested interest in controlling what you eat. They make periodic attempts at making self-help around food illegal, usually using safety as an excuse. As if human beings haven’t been feeding themselves from this good earth for untold millennia. It is our job as citizens of the United States and this planet to resist these food-control laws. And if they do manage to pass such a law, to use civil disobedience by continuing to produce and share our own food.
I am about to republish a guide to eating well on any budget. It will go into all of this much more extensively. Watch this space for more information.