What’s Next?

The current Coronavirus pandemic that we are all living through, has caused me to ask “What’s next“? Is it possible that we will come out on the other side of this crisis better than we are now. I want to believe that there will be a fundamental reset, not just of our own health but the health of our communities, and the environment at large.

Recently, an old friend mentioned the book “The Omnivore’s Dilemma”, by Michael Pollan. In it, he clearly details the need for a reset of how we obtain food and what we eat. He explores the question of where our food comes from, and how the growth, processing, marketing, and distribution of food affects our health, animal welfare, and the environment.

After World War II, our food system radically changed. An industrialized system of mass production and distribution replaced small diverse farms that had provided our food for generations. These changes adversely affect the health of our communities, soil, animals, and most importantly, us.

The big box stores that have emerged in our communities, only source approximately 18% of their products locally. They use non-renewable fossil fuels for the long distance shipping and processing of the unhealthy food products. This is the opposite of a true organic food chain that works with nature.

Even a small reset, where we begin to support our local grocers and communities a little more would grow to a great movement. Going forward, if we show greater love and respect for the world and the animals that God has entrusted to us, We’ll show that we are stronger than the Coronavirus

What’s next?