You are what you eat.

I have grown up in an age where modern day dinner tables come equipped with airbags, seatbelts and horse power that launches you down the highway at 70 mph headed to the next event, scheduled appointment or distraction.  This may not be case for all, but even for the few that sit down at home the meal usually consists of pre-made this or chemically enhanced that. For the majority of my life I have seen grocery stores as magical places where food instantly appears, rarely if ever, giving nod to the whole agricultural processes and the economics behind it. I am now looking at food differently. I first began looking at food differently because I enjoy cooking. Picking fresh herbs, organic vegetables and delicious cheeses over pounds of salt and names I can’t pronounce but end with things such as ides, oxy's and dye # such and such make dishes come to life. In the last few years I have also been more exposed to the tragic realities of hunger and poverty. With my interests in cooking and passions for social justice, my ears have recently been perked towards food sustainability.

Before moving here many people told me that I would be feasting on fresh fruit and fish every day, because that is what they had experienced at the many resorts of Hawaii. We have had wonderful fish and some fruit, but the main cuisine here consists of rice and spam. Since being on island we have noticed that many of the keiki are hungry. There is a lack of fresh foods that are affordable. For example a single apple is over $1.00 and milk is about $8-9.00 a gallon. While that is expensive, I guess you could argue at least they have an option. That is unless it is a week like this one. The barge was unable to dock due to rough water so there has not been any fresh food in the two grocery stores on the island in over a week. Milk is no longer an option and the shelves are bare of any fresh produce.

With that being said…

We started a community garden this week at LBC! The keiki gathered around the table as Papa G told them the details of gardening. With extreme restraint they patiently listened to the kapuna share his wisdom and experience until one kid burst out with “So, what are we going to plant?” With wisdom in his eyes like an old sage, Papa G took the keiki outside and they got dirty. We started small with the kids on this day in order to expose them to the whole growing processes. Each keiki got to fertilize the soil, plant seeds and water. A plot in the back of the church is being tilled this week with hopes of being a common spot in the community that will bear quality food for the local community and food pantry. The greater hope is that it will not simply bear fruit but also be a place where God, people, creation and community can all meet as one.

All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. – Acts 4:32