This time of year, no matter where I go, I'm drawn to seeds. Dan can look for whatever he wants in Home Depot, I'll be over in the garden section. I don't always buy, but it's fun to see what is available. And if I do see something I can't live without, it's almost always seeds I can start myself. Not only are they cheaper, but I can be sure that they are grown in a way I am comfortable having in my gardens. Unfortunately, a lot of big box store plants are sprayed with some fairly toxic chemicals. It keeps the plants healthy looking and free of insects, but the chemicals persist on the plants and can kill ALL bugs, even beneficial pollinators like bees. The most awful part is many seedlings labeled "bee friendly" and marketed to consumers as great things to plant to help save bees have been poisoned with neonaticides, which means the bees die after being exposed to the chemicals on the otherwise pollinator friendly plants. (Just another reason to buy local, where you can ask the actual grower how the plants were grown and what, if any, chemicals they have been treated with.)
But I digress. The point of this was that I saw a label on some asparagus spears I had never noticed before:
But I digress. The point of this was that I saw a label on some asparagus spears I had never noticed before:
As a farmer, I am fairly current on a lot of matters concerning the food stamp program, as it is a part of the farm bill each year and gets a lot of press in farming publications. I also hold a Master's of Social Work, and worked in that field for years before coming to the farm full-time. But the idea that food stamps can be used to buy plants that produce food, rather than actual produce, was completely new to me. I had to read the label again to make sure I understood correctly, because for a government program, it made so much sense I couldn't believe it!
There is a pretty common saying about giving a man a fish allows him to eat for a day, whereas teaching a man to fish can help feed him for a lifetime. I'd argue the same applies here. Some plants, like tomatoes or peppers, will feed you only for a season, but a well-tended plant will produce more peppers than you could buy from the store for the same amount of money. Buying perennials or trees can feed you for years to come, but only if you have access to land to plant on, which is not always true for low income folks. But even those in an apartment can have a few plants on a sunny windowsill or porch. And freshly picked produce is healthier, as it has more nutrients (nutrients degrade over time, so the longer they are in storage, the less vitamins you're really getting). Heirloom varieties also often are more nutritious than commercial counterparts. Beyond the nutritional value are a host of other benefits, too. Gardening makes you get up and move, contributing to a healthy lifestyle. Caring for a plant connects you with nature and botany and the whole circle-of-life thing. It reconnects us to where food really comes from. Caring for a living thing, even a plant, can be a great responsibility and teaching tool for youngsters. It hones a valuable skill, gardening, that can be useful for a lifetime. It can provide a small dose of self-sufficiency, enabling the recipient to be more responsible for his or her own food, and just maybe a window into providing more for yourself and needing less taxpayer-subsidized help. It can mean so much more than fresh tomatoes.
The only unfortunate part about this is that I'm not sure many folks know about it. Whether or not food stamps should be able to purchase steak or cigarettes gets a lot of press and a lot of dissenting opinions, but this is left in the background. I think that's wrong, so I'm trying to do my part to spread the message about something positive. And I know there are obstacles for many folks receiving SNAP benefits- access to garden space, frequent moves, lack of gardening know-how. But I also see that it's a wonderful opportunity for some!
There is a pretty common saying about giving a man a fish allows him to eat for a day, whereas teaching a man to fish can help feed him for a lifetime. I'd argue the same applies here. Some plants, like tomatoes or peppers, will feed you only for a season, but a well-tended plant will produce more peppers than you could buy from the store for the same amount of money. Buying perennials or trees can feed you for years to come, but only if you have access to land to plant on, which is not always true for low income folks. But even those in an apartment can have a few plants on a sunny windowsill or porch. And freshly picked produce is healthier, as it has more nutrients (nutrients degrade over time, so the longer they are in storage, the less vitamins you're really getting). Heirloom varieties also often are more nutritious than commercial counterparts. Beyond the nutritional value are a host of other benefits, too. Gardening makes you get up and move, contributing to a healthy lifestyle. Caring for a plant connects you with nature and botany and the whole circle-of-life thing. It reconnects us to where food really comes from. Caring for a living thing, even a plant, can be a great responsibility and teaching tool for youngsters. It hones a valuable skill, gardening, that can be useful for a lifetime. It can provide a small dose of self-sufficiency, enabling the recipient to be more responsible for his or her own food, and just maybe a window into providing more for yourself and needing less taxpayer-subsidized help. It can mean so much more than fresh tomatoes.
The only unfortunate part about this is that I'm not sure many folks know about it. Whether or not food stamps should be able to purchase steak or cigarettes gets a lot of press and a lot of dissenting opinions, but this is left in the background. I think that's wrong, so I'm trying to do my part to spread the message about something positive. And I know there are obstacles for many folks receiving SNAP benefits- access to garden space, frequent moves, lack of gardening know-how. But I also see that it's a wonderful opportunity for some!