Nourish: Food + Community

So begins the description on the back of the DVD that Nourish just sent me to review.

What is Nourish? An "educational initiative designed to open a meaningful conversation about food and sustainability"—two things I believe us fit-lifers should really care about. We are what we eat. Our activities (exercise included) are fueled by what we eat. And we should only be eating the best, most nutritious foods, so it absolutely matters where that food comes from. The DVD explores this, and the fact that food is more than just a source of fuel for our bodies. It's, as Michael Pollan says, about community and identity. Our farming methods affect those living around our farmlands. When we ship in products from other countries, our desire for sweet papayas and cacao beans gives life to economies in countries less privileged than ours. And that, in effect, ties our two countries—our two very different communites—together as one papaya-lovin', chocolate eatin' group with much respect for each other.

But this exchange of goods, it's not always so fair. It's certainly not always so fresh, which leads us to our food industry. An industry that is overflowing with over processed, overeaten goods that aren't so, well...good for us. Or fresh. Remember yesterday's post about our current eating habits as a nation? Remember our lack of understanding when it comes to the concept of "fresh." This DVD sheds light on that issue. Calling attention to the overuse of high fructose corn syrup, the overuse of corn in general, and the idea that the papaya you're about to eat traveled for days and days on end just to get to your table. Meaning, just because you call it produce...that doesn't mean you can call it fresh. You have to pick the right papaya. And in this day and age, that can be hard. Or expensive.

Let's take a look at the trailer for the aforementioned DVD:



If you like it, you can certainly order your own copy. At the very least, spend some time on the Nourish website. They've got quite the collection of videos you can watch at your leisure.

It's really a very powerful initiative with the ability to change your perspective on the food in front of you. This, of course, comes at a time when our farmer's markets are getting sparse. Fresh fruits and veggies are slowly going out of season, making way for fall apples and return trips to the local supermarket for "fresh" fruits and veggies. As the unavailability of truly fresh foods comes upon us, we are forced to remind ourselves about the importance of eating as close to the source as possible. It's hard, but it is entirely possible.

And it can make a world of difference in your health.