In one of my final modules for my geography degree, titled “Food and Agriculture in the 21st Century” I was required to undertake an activity that allowed me to think reflexively about my relationship to food and agriculture. I then had to write an essay about the experience. As soon as the lecturer revealed the task, I knew instantly this would be a great excuse to volunteer at GO Local Food for the day. As a thank you for welcoming me, I thought I’d write a blog post about what I got up to during the day.
My question was: Can a day at GO Local Food help me reconnect with my food system?
So, on a rather chilly, cloudy April day me and my dad headed up to the “field”. When we reached GO Local Food the Suma delivery arrived, so I helped unpack and sort that for collection. Following this, and obviously a coffee break and chat, we got to work moving a membrane. After digging out some dock leaf plants we placed the membrane down. The next job was to plant a row of onions, using a ‘dibber’ (perhaps more commonly known as a chair leg).
I found these tasks both satisfying and calming. As I admitted in my essay, I felt significantly closer to ‘food’ than I had for a long time. This is probably because since I moved to university three years ago, I have bought most of my food in Aldi. Having been a member of GO Local Food for most of my teenage years, I hadn’t quite realised the quality of the veg I had been lucky enough to consume most days.
Spending the day at GO Local Food, along with the module’s focus on sustainable farming practices, has helped me to further appreciate the value of cooperative farming organisations like GO Local Food. Thanks again for having me, I had a lovely day!
You are most welcome – come again!!
