Masters of Health Magazine May 2020 | Page 37

Consumers sued and eventually prevailed but trust was lost, as many had life-long health effects. As a result, Japan is considered the birthplace of the consumer supported agriculture or CSAs, and massive local coops. Today, dozens of coops across Japan sell direct to consumers and have between 100,000 to 1 million members each, totaling 17 million members. The Green Coop, with its 400,000 members, not only supplies non-GMO meat, milk and many pesticide-free produce offerings but the members and 100% mother-run board have also voted to use their resources to bring gardens and non-GMO food to homeless shelters and nursery schools, energy to homes from solar parks, recycling centers that fund education and supply financial coaching to their members. They are strengthening their communities through their mutual desire for good, healthy food.

Now is the time for local moms’ groups, Slow Food groups, Sustainable Meetups, Green Drinks groups, Moms Across America leaders, and local news outlets to know about local brands or farms. Now is the time for coops and CSAs to be formed, food to be distributed in empty preschool parking lots or dropped off in boxes at a local church. Now is the time for our local communities to support our businesses and farmers just like the Amish do for a barn raising. The fact is that most people, if they are able, are eager and excited to support someone locally and do good. We yearn to make a difference for others and have our lives be meaningful.

Especially in dark times, we strive to rise up and be a part of the light.

If we knew a local business or farm needed our help, we mothers especially, would call in the troops and swarm the premises with help!

Here are 5 ways you can find local farmers and purchase direct:

1.Find local farmers and support them by buying direct!

Here is a link to the National CSA Directory. The USDA site has a CSA list that includes organic and non-organic.

CSA Day 2019 also has a list. Also, search on Modern Farmer. Grocers that sell “ugly” fruit and veggies are found here.

Imperfect Foods delivers to certain areas.

Maranda Farms, Florida