Will Work for Food

The rain began around 2 p.m. before we had the last of the black weed cloth and staples pulled up. It was a gentle, refreshing sprinkle. All of the pulling and scraping was getting me warm under my clothes, so I didn't mind. The rest of the crew didn't care much either, and someone challenged us to guess in what direction a rainbow might appear. Fingers pointed in various directions, but the sky failed us, and we turned our attention back to the task at hand.

"Wouldn't it be great if you were a farmer with super powers?" Olivia asked.

There are several ways to get free eats where we live; doing work trade on a farm is one of them. I found out about this option by word-of-mouth from a friend. So I called the farm she works for, talked to the field crew manager, Laura, and signed myself up for the Wednesday afternoon shift. You work four hours and then get to take home what's left over from the farmers market and whatever you want from the rows out in the fields marked with yellow flags. You only need to be able-bodied, cooperative, and willing to sign a liability waiver, and commit for the season.

A Word About Food Politics

Before I get too far ahead of myself, I want to say something about food politics. It used to be everyone just ate. Nowadays, there are many choices and things we must supposedly consider before one sits down at the table, especially if you listen to all of the little voices in your head. You know, the voice that says you'll get cancer if you eat X and Y. Then there's that other voice that admonishes you for eating animals that had a horrid and difficult life. Whenever I watch a movie like "Forks Over Knives," those voices get louder. It's all good information, but really, who wants to be scared or pour over a checklist every time they sit down to eat? Not me.

So, I want you to know this isn't that kind of blog. If you want to be smug about your breakfast, lunch, and dinner, go somewhere else.