I have been fortunate enough to have yearlong access to fresh fruits and vegetables from the grocery store, but I have rarely questioned how they’re sourced. Stuck in the weekly routine of grocery shopping, meal planning, and cooking, I tend to forget how the food that nourishes my mind and body does not originate in the neatly stacked aisles of a chain grocery store.
The summer berries and stone fruits that I cherish are grown through extensive labor and love, which is easy to overlook in the isolated environment of grocery stores. In fact, it can be difficult to pinpoint the specific origin of produce when shopping at large grocery stores, because it is sourced from different suppliers all over the world. American supermarkets rely heavily on complicated supply chains, industrial farming practices, high-emission cold storage, and carbon-intensive transportation facilities year-round. Our food system currently emits over 30% of global greenhouse gases, while large-scale farming ventures threaten the displacement of natural ecosystems and local communities. In the process, we are steadily disconnected from the land and the community that grows our food.
But there is a way to go straight to the source and munch on delectable, organic fruits in season while connecting with your community—pick-your-own-produce farms! If you live in an area where local farms allow the public to pick their own fruits and vegetables, then don’t miss out on the fun. Grab a cute, handwoven, fair-trade basket from Baskets of Africa, put on a hat, and lather on some sunscreen before heading out to a local farm to do the right kind of cherry-picking. Children can enjoy running around in an open space, picking fruit, and learning more about how our food is grown. It is also a great activity for a date or a day out with friends. Bring a bottle of wine, some cheese and sandwiches, fill up your basket, and have a picnic!
I will forever savor the memory of the first time I had a blueberry fresh off the bush—the layered, complex flavor, the deep purple color, and the bursting, juicy texture was unlike anything I have ever tasted in plastic-packaged fruits that have been sitting in the cold storage. I gained a renewed appreciation for blueberries from that experience, especially since I also got to learn about the science of growing berries. Each type of berry grown at the Appalachian farm I visited peaked at different times—blueberries were available all summer, but blackberries were at their best in July, and raspberries could be harvested in late summer. As a lover of plants, I had a great time noticing differences between the bushes (blueberry bushes are tall and do well on top of hills, while blackberries are thorny and trailing). This whole experience was made even better with the company of my friends and other community members of all ages buzzing about.
Not only does picking your own produce at a farm minimize your involvement in carbon-intensive supply chains, it also brings you closer to your community and supports local agriculture. For your next weekend activity, pay a visit to your local farm. Enjoy a day in the sun, frolic in the fields, and get to know the land and the people involved in growing the food you consume. You will leave with a renewed appreciation for the labor and love that goes into growing the food that nourishes us. It is a true farm-to-table experience as you can collect a large inventory of produce to cook, bake, and make into jams and jellies, and share with your friends and family.
