The importance of food security

Always On My Mind

By Chris Jepson

GROCERY MANAGER

FOOD SECURITY IS ALWAYS ON MY MIND, keeping food on the shelf is my job. Lately though, food security seems to be an increasingly common topic in everyday conversation. Between wars, droughts, labor disputes, and assorted other disruptions the availability of food has become less certain, and people are starting to notice. On top of that, in nearly every case the food that is available is substantially more expensive than last year.

Sourcing your food closer to home has always been the ecologically sustainable choice. Shipping has a massive carbon footprint and keeping our dollars circulating here in our community benefits all of us. The wisdom of having food nearby when you need it cannot be understated.

A productive garden is about as secure and sustainable as any food source can be. Producing a substantial amount of food is challenging but nearly everyone can succeed in growing something! Many resources are available for beginning gardeners. Regionally grown seeds and starts are available here at the Co-op and increase your chances of choosing to grow something that is appropriate for our specific climate. Most good seed catalogs will have significant information about not just what to grow but when and how to grow it.

Most of the libraries in Mendocino County have seed banks. Here in Ukiah, they have a substantial selection, and any patron can get up to twenty packets, more than enough to start a good sized garden. They publish an inventory online and provide a seed starting calendar specific for Ukiah.

Perhaps the best way to jump start your gardening endeavors is to team up with a friend who already has a garden. Helping someone else with their garden is rewarding for everyone, more weeds get pulled, more knowledge gets passed, and more excess zucchini finds a home.

THE WISDOM OF HAVING FOOD NEARBY WHEN YOU NEED IT CANNOT BE UNDERSTATED.

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Mendocino County Seed Libraries

Did you know that the Mendocino County Libraries are also seed libraries? The seed libraries are your spot for gardening information and free vegetable, herb, and flower seeds. Mendocino County Libraries' goal is to nurture a thriving community of gardeners and seed savers and introduce the joy of gardening to members of our community who are not already gardeners. Seeds at the Mendocino County Seed Libraries are free to library patrons. Each library has resources on gardening and seed saving available for check out as well as programs on gardening. If you would like to request seeds from one of the seed libraries, please use the forms available at https://www. mendolibrary.org/borrow/seed-libraries or visit your local branch in Ukiah, Willits, Fort Bragg, Point Arena, or Round Valley.