The Lonely Supermarket

One of my hopes for this month was that finding alternative sources of food would help me to get more in touch with where my food comes from, and become closer to the point of production.  The image that this conjures up in my mind was of myself outdoors with a wicker basket on my arm, meandering around picking blackberries and collecting eggs.  I'm not quite sure where I got this picture from, as I don't have a wicker basket, I don't know anyone nearby who has chickens, and most blackberries around here are enthusiastically sprayed with chemicals.

Stall at the Otago Farmer's Market

In some ways I have been able to get closer to the source of production of my food, by buying fruit and veges directly from farmers at the Farmer's Market.  I like being able to ask people who were involved in growing the food about their product, and how best to use it.  Even buying food from the organics shop seems closer to the production source, as the shop assistants can usually tell me where food has come from, and when it is from local producers they will often know them personally and know the names of the farmers.  There are two things that I like about this:  firstly, it makes it easier to find out how food is grown/made, and what chemicals and processes have been used.  Secondly, it re-introduces the element of social connectedness to our daily rituals involving food.

Food is fundamentally social, and it forms an important part of community life.  We all need to eat regularly to survive, and equally we all need social connection and community in order to thrive.  Sharing meals provides an opportunity to share live with our loved ones on a day-to-day basis, strengthen bonds between new friends, ease awkwardness among strangers, celebrate happy occasions, support one another in sad occasions, and to share generosity.

Yet it many ways we have allowed the community function of food to dwindle away.  Our busy lifestyle has led to the increase of fast food, single serve freezer meals, and packaged food to eat on the go.  Eating is less about sharing time with others, and more about providing physical fuel for the body.  The social element of production and purchase of food is dwindling as well.  When I buy apples from the supermarket, I cannot talk to the farmer who grew them, and the shop assistant cannot even tell me their name.  In fact, there is no need to talk to anyone at all, since I can pick up my apples and go through the self-checkout aisle with no need for social contact at all.  Yes, it's convenient.  Yes, it's often cheaper.  Yes, it's faster.  But isn't it all a bit lonely?