Give thanks to food

In Patricia Klindienst’s article, she mentions how slaves in U.S. history knew how to cultivate and farm, therefore were the only links between garden grown food and their masters. The slaves were sometimes allowed a garden for there own use, and this not only helped them feed themselves, but it allowed them to feel like a family. Today, the concept of eating for us is mostly based on the individual, however in many other cultures eating together with family is of central importance. Just like the slaves, many other cultures view food as a symbol of reliance on each other for not simply the food itself but for ritual and togetherness. Food grown in a non market economy allows the grower and buyer to establish a certain connection that creates a relationship because they do all of the trading, and buying personally. Since our society is a market economy, when we buy our food we never really get to know the person we buy it from because stores allow food to be conveniently and quickly accessible. This limits our ability to connect through food like these non market based societies.
This reminded me of when the pilgrims first came to settle in America. They did not know how to grow any food and would have starved if it weren’t for the Indians. The Indians brought themselves closer to the pilgrims saving there lives and creating a special bond with them through the food they grew together. We even have a holiday celebrating this relationship among the pilgrims and the Indians, all because food brought them together. I think that there should be more interaction with food growers and the consumers because it builds trust which I feel is important to have with someone growing your lifeline. We are so busy with our everyday lives that food becomes only a necessity for living, rather than a bonding experience. I think It would be ideal if we could construct ways to become familiar with each other through food growth.