Fed by our Friends

I should write about the responses we have received from those who hear about our local eats endeavor. The responses have been varied. From some folks who just stare blankly and don't know how to respond, as if to say "why in the world would you do something like that?" to others who wanted to argue the benefits of the global economy. But the most common response has been positive and enthusiastic.

And more than a few responses have come accompanied by offers of food. It's been amazing, really, to see how many friends and family have "put up" different things and even more more amazing is the fact that they have been willing to share with us. We have green tomato relish from my mom, vinegar from my dad, potatoes and onions from a family friend, blueberries, cilantro, sage, canned pears, canned applesauce, apple pie filling, and an offer of frozen strawberries from last spring, and frozen corn from last fall. Our guests last weekend came down from Washington state and brought us fresh apples and pears.

We have truly been fed by our community. More than I anticipated. This change in our eating habits has been received much differently than the change I made 15 years ago when I decided to stop eating meat. Telling someone you're vegetarian always comes off as an embarrassing confession or a half-hearted apology. I don't know why that is. The truth is that I am now a little embarrassed to tell my vegetarian friends that I am buying and eating animals. It's funny but food choices can really be a very public way for others to see our personal values.