Is It Food Security Or Is It Prepping?
It’s not about how many MREs you’ve got in your garage
I always enjoy talking to new people. Especially people in different lines of work.
It’s amazing what they have to offer.
The other day I was talking to a gentleman who is head of security for a large organization.
Imagine this, Marine, special forces guy who’s seen quite a bit of combat and plenty of “other” types of situations. Smart, ready. Total warrior. You know the type I’m talking about.
It’s his job to keep people physically safe in specific environments.
He’s trained for emergencies, for the unexpected moment.
As he asked about what I do, I explained to him I work in food systems, especially in food security.
Maybe the word “security” piqued his interest.
“Is that like prepping?” He asked.
“Well, no.” I replied, slowly wondering how I would explain food security to someone who was so focused on the word “security” meaning no bombs going off.
Knowing a little about his background, I knew I was talking to someone who had 10 years worth of MREs in his basement, yet likely didn't know much about foraging, planting, or how to preserve any type of harvest.
“Think of it this way,” I said.
“Prepping is more like hoarding food, while food security is making sure that as many people as possible have consistent access to clean, safe food within easy walking or biking distance and people have the ability to participate in their own food production and processing.”
His eyebrows raised with some kind of recognition.
I thought for a moment to find the words that would resonate with someone who’d spent thousands of dollars preparing for emergencies but probably didn’t have seeds or a garden as part of that emergency plan.
“With only 1% of our US population responsible for our domestic food production right now, we don’t have a secure food system. We need to increase that percent so that Americans can access safe food wherever they are…
Hoarding 10-years-worth of freeze dried food is not the same thing as knowing what food grows near you at any time of year and being able to access that food through yours and your community’s knowledge and skills.”
I could practically see the gears turning as awareness kicked in for him and he realized the implications of large populations not having food in case of an emergency and that MRE’s were not the only solution.
We discussed a little longer the merits of food hoarding vs food security through regionalized food production.
Points such as…
In a system where more people know and are involved in food production, we don’t all have to know or do everything.
How it benefits a whole community when we each have knowledge about some part of food production and/or processing.
How comforting it would be to know that your immediate community members know how to grow things from the earth, or hunt, fish, and forage for what readily exists?
How much peace of mind would it bring if you and your neighbors have access to fresh milk, eggs, and cheeses—in addition to seasonal produce—immediately where you live?
Imagine that for a moment.
Does this sound like better food security than hoarding freeze-dried MREs for a decade?
And the best part is, food production and processing is fun and a great way to meet people.
Some might call me a dreamer to even imagine that we can live within walking distance of our food supply.
But I think revitalizing our hyper local food systems is actually the only way to live together in civilization as we figure out the other big questions about living in the 21st century.
We either create a thriving ecosystem and food web, or we collapse.
I hope it’s the former. Who’s with me?
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This is SO important. I’m amazed how tech is taking off and they are telling young people to go into tach for a secure future. Imagine if that story was go into agriculture to always provide food for people. And farming is so fulfilling. Tech is bound for anti depressants.
Let’s get everyone involved in healthy food production
Both are important. Emergency food supplies will get you through a calamity, knowledge of how to replace them will get you through the long term.