December Newsletter - Slowing Down
Greeting Friends!
As winter approaches and we enter the holiday season, certain scenes may come to mind – a cozy fireplace, snow gently falling on a quiet December night, families and friends gathering to share and enjoy a home-cooked meal. Life amidst the holidays is often not as calm, though, as we rush to finish last-minute shopping in crowded stores, hustle and bustle to and from family parties, and try our best not to burn this year’s cookies. We do these things in hopes of finding peace and joy at the finish line, but our ever-busy, ever-connected, always-on-the-go lives often rob us of the very thing we are racing toward.
As you read these words – and as you likely also begin making a mental list of all the things you still need to do before the year is over – stop.
Stop and breathe, for just a moment.
Find something nearby – a picture on your desk, your dog sleeping at your feet, your children laughing in the other room, the hot mug of coffee in your hand – and in this moment, really notice that thing: the memory it stirs, the sound it brings, the warmth you feel. Relax your shoulders and take a deep breath. Then return to these words.
These small, meaningful moments of simply stopping and noticing are a way to find peace and reconnect with ourselves and our surroundings. Practice this. Your body will thank you, and the world will wait.
With shortened days, the winter season is a time for rest and rejuvenation, and many wild things observe this and act accordingly. Animals spend much of their time sleeping, bare trees stand silently in the wind, and our summer gardens have been put to rest. Some folks around the world already practice observing this season of slow-down. Our Danish friends call this hygge (pronounced “hoo-gah”), which roughly translates to a time for embracing well-being, finding coziness, relaxing in a warm atmosphere, and enjoying good things with good people. Hygge is more of a feeling than a place, and its essence may be one of the reasons Danes are some of the happiest people in the world. The good news for us is that hygge can be practiced and embraced anywhere and at any time.
As we welcome the first official day of winter – the winter solstice – may we all make time to practice and embrace our own hygge. How will you celebrate and honor this season in your life? I hope you take some time to reflect upon the challenges you have faced, the things for which you are grateful, and the ways in which you have grown this past year. I hope you celebrate and honor the passing of this year and the new year to come; what would you like to leave behind and what would you like to embrace as we enter 2023?
We at NWI Food Council would like to thank you – our reader, our supporter, our local food lover – for the gifts you have given us this past year. Thank you for being a champion of local food efforts, as this work is too big, too important, and too meaningful for any single entity to tackle alone. Our hygge is certainly enjoying good things with good people, and we are grateful to have you around our table as we share in the bounty of our region’s incredible local food. As we embrace this season of rest and rejuvenation and find small moments to simply stop and notice – yes, even in the midst of holiday craziness! – we hope you make time to do the same. This is where peace and joy have been waiting for us all along.
Here’s to good food, good people, and good things to come. I hope you have a wonderful holiday season!
With Gratitude,
Becca Tuholski
Local Food Access Coordinator
NWI Food Council
Region Roots Local Farm & Food Hub
There are many reasons I choose to live in Indiana. Driving down a country road to visit a farm at the next left turn is one of many. It triggers idealized notions of what I think life must have been like before all of the commercial buildings and stores. Visiting a small shed off the side of the road proclaiming “farm fresh” as I’m able to look out into the distance. Having the opportunity to see where my food really comes from is not a privilege I take lightly.
As a daughter of a migrant farmer I know the hard work that goes into the life and body of those who do this work. But, like many, my family moved to the suburbs and put that life behind us. So here I am today, finding the balance between our modern day conveniences while trying to reclaim a life a bit more grounded in our local agriculture.
I believe many of us realize now that those roles filled by the farmer and/or the farm hand really are important. Sure, the local grocery store has everything our families’ hearts may desire. But, have you ever experienced purchasing your food within miles of where it is grown, nurtured, nourished, or picked?
Pure magic.
On a chilly late November afternoon, after the snow fell, I left my home in Miller and made my way to LaPorte, IN to pick up beef for a soup I was planning to make. I came across Essential Acres while browsing The Collectives list of farmers. I ordered what I wanted and looked forward to the pick up. A few days later I set out for my destination. Sun in my eyes, I watched the snow that recently fell battle the beams of sunlight that were fighting to stay with us. Upon arrival I got the chance to glimpse into a part of this family's life, their passion, and their commitment to what they do. You know, just another Midwestern perk we sometimes take for granted. Beef in hand I headed back home to make this soup I had been dreaming of. With carrots, potatoes, and garlic from Perkins Farm, peas I froze earlier in the summer from Mick Klug Farm, and my beef, I get to chopping and prepping. Onto the stove and into the pot it all goes. Layers of vegetables, herbs, stewed meat, and a hint of red wine. The warm smells begin to permeate the air and I decide to make some bread just to make sure it's everything my little family will want and need this evening. A few hours later, dinner is ready with enough leftovers to enjoy a few times throughout the rest of the week.
Below, I share the soup recipe I used. Let me be honest here and tell you that any recipe I use I tend to modify in some way to make my own. Sometimes it’s hard to control adding a little of this or that when you get inspired. Either way, I hope you and your family enjoy soup season!
Recipe is here!
Anna Martinez
Farmer to Chef Coordinator
NWI Food Council
Slowing Down
This week’s Winter Solstice will officially usher in the winter season, as many of us prepare to celebrate the holiday season. Whether you observe Christmas, Hanukkah, Rohatsu, Kwanzaa, Yule, Las Posadas, or one of the many other holidays celebrated in December and January, we hope that you do so with intention and attention to the sights, smells, sounds, and, of course, tastes around you. You can read more about the many holidays of the winter season in this blog from Indiana Farm Bureau or this brief article originally from the Deseret News.
In this month’s newsletter, Becca shared about the Danish tradition of hygge and the slower winter rhythms of nature, and Anna reflected on the beauty and connection that is embodied in a humble bowl of soup. What better way to honor the world around us and ourselves than with a renewed focus on reflection, companionship, and focused attention on the little moments of our lives? As you gather with friends and family in the coming weeks, or honor the holidays in other ways, take the time to breathe deep and observe the impression of tiny fingers interlaced with your own, a wet puppy nose searching for scraps, the crisp peace and solitude of a cold winter morning, or the intricate designs of snowflakes in the air.
As you make space for yourself to slow down, you might be looking for a good book. We recommend checking out Food Tank’s Summer and Fall Reading Lists, which have food system books covering everything from whiskey to community gardens to food sovereignty (and all points in between)- you’re sure to find something you like! If you’d rather cook your way to spring, Bon Appetit has you covered with their list of the 27 Best Cookbooks of 2022, with books for aspiring and advanced cooks alike. For those of us that would rather binge watch our way into 2023, Paste Magazine and The Manual have both recently published their favorite binge-worthy food shows and documentaries streaming on Netflix. But slowing down doesn’t have to be all about trying new things- there’s no better time to re-read an old favorite, dust off that cookbook, or reflect on last year’s garden before planning the next one!
For farmers new and old, the winter months bring extra opportunities for learning and connection from their peers. We’re happy to share that our friends at the Indiana Farmers Market Community of Practice are hosting Produce Safety Alliance Trainings for fruit and veggie growers this winter. Thanks to generous sponsorship from the Indiana Department of Health, these training sessions will be free for fruit and veggie farmers, as well as farmers market managers! Contact Christina Ferroli (cferroli@icdc.coop) for more information!
Policy Updates
State:
A recent ruling by the Indiana Supreme Court may benefit homesteaders and small scale farmers living on no more than one acre. The ruling states that the 1% tax cap for properties that qualify for the homestead exemption will apply to all buildings on the property, including barns and other “similar structures.” Read more in this article from Gary 411.
Indiana’s new law for Home Based Vendors went into effect in July. Under the new guidance, home based vendors can now sell non-hazardous foods in person, by phone, or through the internet, with expanded delivery options. Home based vendors must sell foods within the state of Indiana and complete food handler training to qualify. Read more from Purdue Extension here.
In case you missed it, Indiana passed the House Enrolled Act No. 1283 last year. HEA 1283, which was authored by State Representative Earl Harris (District 2), expands pathways to farm ownership and operation within city limits, with the creation of agricultural zones. Properties within agricultural zones may qualify for special tax and utility rates. You can read more at the Farmland Information Center.
National:
The Department of Health and Human Services recently announced approvals that may open a path for state Medicaid funds to be used for nutrition and food is medicine programs. Read more on the recent decisions at Food Bank News.
In case you missed it, the USDA announced this summer that they would be launching a framework for food system transformation with the goals of supporting more equitable and resilient supply chains. The framework holds a lot of promise and has been the launchpad for several new funding streams benefiting underserved farmers, food businesses, and vulnerable communities. Read more about the framework and associated programming here.
Farm Bill:
For food and agriculture policy lovers, Farm Bill season is around the corner! We’ll be keeping an eye out for opportunities to amplify the voices of the communities we serve.
In the meantime, the USDA currently has an open survey for farmers, ranchers, and forest managers. (Closes March 31) Share your vital feedback with USDA by taking a nationwide survey! The survey is completely anonymous, will take about 10 minutes, and is available in multiple languages.
Also, the Agricultural Census is open! You can find the link to compete the survey (with your mailed survey access code) here (Deadline in Feb)
Make sure your voice is counted in these important surveys. Ag census and other survey data help inform spending allocations in the Farm Bill and also provide data for food systems advocates that help support the important work that farmers do!