Bloom, Thrive, Health: What Do These Words Mean to You?

While searching for my first assignment as a self described ‘food journalist’ I was encouraged to see a food pioneer of holistic farming who was coming to Seattle. Previously unaware of who Will Allen was, I found myself excited to be a part of a live interview with him at the Mercer Middle School Auditorium.

Allen has a staggering presence, a man well above six feet tall with biceps that I believe might literally be the size of my head. Yet what is most striking is the humility Allen presents, even with his impressive resume.

Founder of Growing Power an organization that is “transforming the cultivation, production and delivery of healthy foods to underserved, Urban populations (macfound.org/Will Allen),” recipient of the John D. and Catharine T. MacArthur foundation for the continual and remarkable work of Growing power. As well as a published author.

Most of the evening was spent discussing Allen’s impressive list of accomplishments in slight detail. However, the passion in his message began to shine when the host took words featured from Growing Power’s website and asked Allen to say what first came to mind when he heard them.

Bloom: Inspiring the community.

I believe this is where Allen’s heart is–inspiring a community through the bonds shared with food. He spoke of how worm enriched rich soil brought joy and inspiration to children and adults alike. And when he laughed, I could not help but laugh with him as I thought back to my childhood when I was also fascinated by a handful of worms.

Yet we, and food cannot Bloom unless we have an opportunity to thrive.

Thrive: When I see a community starting to grow.

Food shows us how to grow together as a community and how diversity is the key to sustainability and success, even in our own personal lives. Allen’s farm runs on the symbiotic elements of nature itself. For example, the amount of resources it takes to operate a water filtration system on a large, industrial scale is offensive compared to Allen’s seamlessly integrated system of water filtrating through plants into a holding tank for perch, only to be reused for plants anew.

Yet we cannot Thrive unless we care about our health.

Health Care: We should eat food that goes bad.

How is it that we have gotten so estranged from food? Yes, we put stuff in our mouths but how much of it is ‘food’? The event’s host even joked about how her bread should not look the same a month later as when she bought it! Our food needs to be real–wholesome, enriching, healthy. It also needs to be valued and have a sense of urgency.

As he was concluding, he remarked about mobilization and the need to move beyond words to action. That the goal of sustainable, affordable and accessible food can and will happen in our communities as we–men, women and children–continue to challenge old thoughts about food and its role in our lives.

Washington is a current Student at Seattle Central Community College with an emphasis on food and its economic impact. He is a self described pioneer of  a new form of  journalism (a term he claims he “invented”) called ‘food journalism.’

Related posts:

1. Is Rural Living Hazardous To Your Health?
2. KUOW's Weekday Presents 'Poverty, Obesity and Health'
3. Food Deserts Could Bloom With City Hall’s Help

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