The Way We Eat Now by Bee Wilson appeals to those interested in learning about changes in our food systems and the way we eat and what food is available today compared to years ago. It may be eye-opening for some, and old news to others.

Some positive things were discovering a charity based in the UK called
Peas Please (The Food Foundation: https://foodfoundation.org.uk/initiatives/peas-please)
started in 2017 that works to make vegetables more accessible and available to individuals and families regardless of their financial situation. This organization’s sister campaign VegPower utilizes innovative advertising and conveyance to motivate children to take on vegetable loving practices.

Also included in this book is a discussion about how the growing of crops has changed. For example, in the case of apples, there used to be more varieties of apples, but some types have died out due to lack of demand (people wanting a sweeter apple vs. a more bitter one). Therefore, farmers stop growing these varieties partly because they have phased them out and are not sustainable and partly due to the lack of demand. Another example is seen with grapes. Many grape varieties had seeds in them in the past. Today, most grapes are seedless. While it is nice to bite into a grape and not have to worry about biting into a seed, Wilson writes that we ought to embrace the seed. Does this get you thinking and questioning why did we make that change? Was it nutritionally advantageous?

This book touches on obesity and nutrition-related disease, how home cooking has become a lost art and that we should strive to bring it back. Something else of note is that our food choices among grocery stores have multiplied.

Wilson recommends eating a variety of fruits and vegetables (including a variety of the same fruit and/or vegetable). For example if you buy pink lady apples all the time, switch it up with gala, granny smith, or another type. Less sweet fruit and vegetable varieties typically contain more antioxidants and nutrients. Change up the fruits and vegetables that you do like and try different types of the same food.

Last, but not least, grow your own food. This is really the only way to know how it is produced. If you can’t do that, shop at your local farmer’s market. Support farming and agriculture. If not we’re afraid we will lose it. Farmers struggle to compete with big food companies and if we don’t support local farming, eventually it will die out too.

Wilson shares in this book a New York based business that grows seeds
Row 7 Seed Company. Here is a link to their site: https://www.row7seeds.com/
It looks like a great place to start if you are looking to purchase seeds and ultimately grow your own crops.

Be well. Eat well and with others as much as you can. It is more than just the food. It is the social interaction that humans need to thrive. Check out the book if these topics interest you!