Is one year without grocery store food possible in 2024?

In a world where the US government and institutions of higher education along with the dietetics association have announced that junk food does not play a significant role in the obesity epidemic (which is clearly, dangerously false), and in world where the global food system is practically a monopoly, and in a world where Albertsons and Krogers want to further merge to create even more monopolistic practices in the food system… and in a world where I spent all day Saturday popping into small farm stands picking up the most delightful, delicious, nourishing food and supporting my community's small farms and small businesses and keeping money in the local economy rather than sending it off to the multi nationals and billionaires, and now I get to eat the best food all week long… and in a world where I remember how bland and boring, and covered in preservative chemicals winter grocery store veggies are, even though they aren't listed on the ingredients label… and in a world where I ordered the stickiest sticky rice ever online instead of buying the same tired options from the grocery store… I just want out of the system that has blasphemed food and turned our Food Culture into something unrecognizable, unenjoyable, full of lies and depleted of nutrition and taste. I just want out. I want out of the food oligarchy. I want out of a Food Culture where the mega corporations control the government messaging about food and nutrition.

I've long supported local farms, and taught others to do the same but I'm ready to step it up. I forage and grow food. I leave the hunting and fishing to others but I love when they throw some bites my way and we can be human on planet earth and eat the real food, the real fruits of the hospitable earth.

Years ago I interviewed my grandma and several of her friends about the Food Culture in their youth. They told me about when grocery stores first came on the scene! They remembered and had opinions and of course they succumbed like we all did to give the bulk of our paychecks to these monstrosities rather than to our local food magicians.

I think the grocery store model has failed and I want out. The food monopolies and consolidation has failed us and I want out.

I'm devising a plan to go one year, without shopping at a grocery store. It feels like weighted cloak has dropped off my shoulders. I no longer have to step inside or send my money to the demons I so vehemently disagree with to fund the government messaging of corporate lies about health and food.

Who wants to join me? One year? One month? Summer is great time to play with real food. Fresh food. To rise above the myths and greed and to celebrate being human on earth eating the best of the best of the food that is meant for us. The simple simplicity of embracing a life of earthly decadence, nourishment, health, connection in ways that grocery stores simply absolutely do not provide and don't even try to.

A new, better world awaits.