Food Desert

I was excited to return to So IN because, hello, farmer's markets!!

After a couple of weeks, I noticed something... the produce sections in the grocery stores are horrible.  I mentioned to my dad that I was shocked that Arizona-the-desert had grocery stores brimming with gorgeous fruits and vegetables, and here in the Heartland, spinach is twice as expensive, and the produce section at my Schnucks is half the size of the produce section at the small Safeway in Flagstaff.

He said, "Honey, all those little family farms just aren't here any more.  Everyone here is growing corn or soybeans.  Those are all the giant farms.  You have a few one-off places producing for local consumption, but those roadside stand you used to see everywhere are few and far between.  That's why we have a garden.  If you are around next year, we'll plant spinach for you."

Aside from the kind gesture, that simple conversation made me think.

1. I need to pay more attention to when the farmer's markets are going.
2. I need to check out the Asian market which everyone says has the best produce.
3. I am so used to getting what I want when I want it that I am put out by the price of spinach that is apparently imported or something..
4.  I heard about the family farms going away, but I didn't really believe it until now.

Meanwhile, it is exponentially cheaper to eat processed pseudo-food than the real thing.

Damn.  That ain't right.