Food as Radical Empathy

As a regenerative agriculture major, I understand the importance of adopting organic and restorative agricultural practices in our country. In order for this to be done, consumers must make conscious choices that support organic and regenerative farmers, shop locally, and adjust diets to include more perennial crops. However, I am also keenly aware of the inequality of access to healthy, organic food in this country, where socioeconomic factors often determine one's ability to make "sustainable" food choices. In many communities, particularly low-income minority neighborhoods, access to fresh produce and organic options is extremely limited. The higher price tags on organic and healthy food create barriers for many families and individuals, making it a luxury rather than a daily occurrence. These communities are then faced with diet-related health issues, such as malnutrition, obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. Embracing food as radical empathy means recognizing these disparities in access and striving for change. Regenerative agriculture cannot be a gatekept luxury of the wealthy. It needs to be widely accessible, affordable, and equitable. 

Another point that Alkon touched on that resonated with me was about food as a cultural identity. Last semester in my fundamentals of regenerative agriculture course we read Restoration Agriculture by Mark Shephard. Much of Shephard's argument was based around converting most of crops (and therefore the food we eat) to perennial systems, which he argued are significantly more nutritionally dense. As a white American who is somewhat removed from my ancestral cultural practices, it is easy for me (and Shephard) to see food as calories, vitamins, fats and proteins. But for many around the world, food is more than just physical nourishment. As Alkon said, food is deeply tied to cultural identity, reflecting the history, geography, and social practices of a community. They are repositories of familial memories, connecting people to their cultural roots. These culturally significant dishes provide a sense of belonging and shared ancestry within communities. In some cases, cultural diets are intertwined with religious practices, such as halal and kosher diets. As much as we can argue that perennial agricultural systems are superior for our health and the health of the planet, it would mean sacrificing so many important culinary traditions, ones that many people would be hard-pressed to give up (and rightfully so).