This Wednesday we had the founding president of the Danforth Center come and talk during our intern meeting. I could go on and on about what he's done and what he's doing now. Let's just say he's a big deal and had done a lot of good, through science and beyond.
At one point, he said something rather compelling.
"It's amazing how long we've assumed food"
Think about it.
Especially as Americans, we assume that there will always be food at the grocery store, in our pantries, served at our school cafeteria. In fact, we demand it. Not only do we demand food, but we demand high quality, safe, nutritious and tasty food. I think this often causes us to assume that the world will have enough food forever - and then we cast this perspective on the rest of the world, much of which is struggling just to harvest enough for their family.
It's dangerous to think that food will always be there. Take this summer for instance- we've had drought. Who knows how that will effect the fall's harvest and how that, in turn, will effect our food supply. Do I think there will be famine across America? No. But there could still be some adverse side effects that we are completely unaware of now.
I think it is important to remember that we live in an incredibly blessed society. I have the privilege to walk to Trader Joe's to pick of bananas for the morning or go to my sink to fill my water bottle with potable water. We have the ability to assume food, but we must remember the portion of the world who cannot. And we must work towards continual improvement so that, one day, maybe the entire world can assume food.
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