A press conference was held yesterday (9/24/2010) in front of the Greene County Court House in Springfield, Missouri at 3:15 p.m. Ruell Chappell of the Well Fed Neighbor Alliance made the announcement which also included comments from two special guests, former Lt. Governor of Missouri, Joe Maxwell (a Democrat) and former assistant Majority Leader Mark Wright (a Republican). The topic was “Food Independence” and “Food Freedom.”
The press announcement was the best way to inform the public about the dire need for raising local foods, buying and selling local foods, and eating locally-produced foods. In line with this idea, Ruell Chappell announced an upcoming food summit which will be held in Springfield on October 1st and 2nd at the Hammons Heart Institute, next to St. John’s Hospital. Booths and information will be made available at that time for people to get involved in creating a sustainable food supply to help the local economy with jobs and provide better health for the citizens of Southwest Missouri. Creating a local sustainable food supply not only benefits people today, but it can create a healthier, happier, and more prosperous world for future generations as well. The group says it is the first in the nation to announce such a move to restore the local food supply.
One of the basic statements made at the press conference is the fact that we can no longer feed ourselves. There is no location in this country that can feed the population that resides there. The U.S. has become a net importer of food from China. Not only are we net importers of products from China, but China finances, at last look, 900 billion dollars of the U.S. debt. We are part of a global economy that views efficiency and the lowest price as important, yet somehow, cannot foresee the extrapolation of a future with very cheap products with no one to buy them.
What is the answer? If we look to our history, our identity, and our heritage, we can see that Southwest Missouri was once home to the most envied agrarian economy on the continent. The Springfield area produced food that fed people all the way to the east coast and would, eventually, feed the world its tomatoes from 200 tomato canneries located right here in Southwest Missouri.
In a similar fashion, in 1950 Missouri had over 60,000 apple orchards, but it now has less that 600. We buy 65% of our fruit from other nations, including China. And Missouri imports 95% of its food from other states and nation. If the trucks stopped running, the grocery shelves would be empty of food in less than three days. We could have famine conditions in three weeks.
It is sad to say, but the canneries are all gone now. Instead, Southwest Missouri has become known for its service industries. The local workers here can wash your deck, market your business and clean air ducts like nobody’s business. But what is alarming is that we grow nothing and produce nothing. America grew and for decades remained great because of its manufacturing and agriculture, and if we are to be great again, manufacturing and agriculture must come home.
The Well Fed Neighbor Alliance in Southwest Missouri is dedicated to educating and helping our community back to a model that was powerful utilizing the best in modern technology. It isn’t necessary to go back 100 years. Instead, we should take a great model and use it today with all the technological benefits at our disposal.
The press announcement received coverage from KOLR 10 television and the Springfield News-Leader. It was well attended with approximately 200 people from around the Ozarks—local farmers and livestock owners, Amish food producers, consumers, grocery owners, restaurant owners, local businessmen, city and county government officials, city dwellers, rural folk, Democrats, Republicans, Libertarians, Independents, people from all walks of life, old and young, you name it.
The Well Fed Neighbor Association has been promoting local food for a couple years now. Two of their projects have been the “1000 Gardens Project” and helping to promote local farmer’s markets. In January 2009 one hundred volunteers launched the “1000 Gardens Project” and by April 2009 over 3500 gardens had been started in and around Springfield. Some community gardens have now been started, and the goal for 2010 is 10,000 gardens. Also in the last year, several new farmer’s markets have opened in and around Springfield. The various farmer’s markets are now open on every day except Sunday.
Now what do you know about food?
According to a hand out from the Well Fed Neighbor Alliance, these food facts are true about Southwest Missouri (and some of these facts or similar situations also apply to other regions of the United States as well).
- Did you know that 100 years ago Missouri produced and exported food in abundance and farmers could build a house without a bank loan?
- Did you know that today Missouri imports 95% of its human food from other states and nations?
- If a national emergency causes the daily food delivery system to break down, how long do you think the food supply will last in the grocery stores? _____ 30 days, _____ one week, _____ less than 3 days. (The answer is less than 3 days)
- Did you know that the USA has NO emergency back up food supply? (NONE!)
- If the electrical system breaks down for 30 days or longer and the grocery stores are empty, how long will your personal food supply last? _____ 3 days, _____ 30 days, or _____ days.
- Are you able to grow some of your own food?
- Are you willing and able to grow enough food for your neighbors? How much?
- How much food producing resources do you have? A vegetable garden? Farm ground? Meat animals? Farming experience to share?
These are all good commodities that can help people in the Ozarks (this could work for other regions of the U.S. as well) be more self-sustaining when it comes to raising and growing our own food.
The Well Fed Neighbor Association is a non-political alliance of individuals and organizations dedicated to restoring a healthy sustainable local food supply system and local jobs, through a sustainable food policy rather than politics. The mission is LOCAL FOOD and LOCAL JOBS.
Here are some helpful links
The Well Fed Neighbor Alliance:
http://www.wellfedneighbor.com/
Farmer’s Markets in Southwest Missouri
Plans Announced for Ozarks Food Security Summit (video–:056 mins.)
