Healthy Archuleta is actively working to raise awareness of health-promoting foods and the importance of the local food system. A central part of this initiative is focusing on how the local food system works and how everyone in our community both contributes to and benefits from it. Healthy Archuleta has developed the food system wheel, which serves as an informative tool to explain how the food system operates within both society at large and our specific community. The wheel is structured into six distinct sections, each representing a key component of the food system.
- Growing and Producing Food
- Transforming Foods for Storage and Market
- Marketing and Distributing Food
- Getting and Preparing Food
- Eating Nutritious Foods
In the center of the wheel:
Food Safety, Food Waste Prevention, and Resource Recovery
Beginning with the first section on the wheel, Growing and Producing Food. We live in an age where food is accessible daily by merely going to the grocery store, and in season, the farmers market. There are several commercial food producers in Archuleta County who offer locally what they raise and grow. Additionally, many people in our community grow fresh food in their backyards, greenhouses, containers or other methods. Locally grown food is fresh, the sooner you harvest and consume a vegetable, the more vitamins and minerals you will give your body.
Transforming foods for storage and market. This is an interesting subject for both household and commercial food providers. Foods that have been grown, like fruit and vegetables, and foods that come from raised animals and livestock, need to be transformed, or processed in some fashion, in order to get it stored or offered for sale for future consumption. We don’t buy a whole cow at the store, we purchase cuts of meat that have been rendered and packaged by a meat processor. Same with dairy products, baked goods, canned and frozen fruits and vegetables. These are examples of transforming foods for storage and market.
Marketing and distributing food. Food is marketed to consumers in various ways, from eye-catching billboards to playful designs on packaged goods. In our local communities, farmers’ markets, word of mouth, and social media play a key role in promoting locally grown and produced foods. Food distribution occurs through multiple channels, including supermarkets, restaurants, farmers’ markets, and food pantries, ensuring accessibility for different needs. As an example, Healthy Archuleta uses the Food Distribution Center (FDC) to collect and distribute food to the seven food pantries.
Getting and preparing food. While grocery shopping may sometimes feel like a chore, we are fortunate to have easy access to fresh ingredients through grocery stores, farmers’ markets, and even our own gardens. Food preparation, whether chopping fresh vegetables for a salad or cooking locally raised steak, is often considered a labor of love—one we share with family and friends. Many cherish traditional recipes passed down through generations, while others enjoy experimenting with new ingredients to bring creativity and excitement to their meals.
Eating Nutritious Foods. This topic has become a serious discussion for everyone. There are many benefits of eating nutritious foods for our bodies and minds. Some benefits may include 1) building a strong immune system, 2) lowering the risk of disease such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and some cancers, 3) supporting digestive system functions, 4) strengthening bones and muscles, and 5) supporting healthy pregnancies and breastfeeding. Eating nutritious foods is what powers our bodies to get through the day at work, school, exercise and other physical activities. It is important to pay attention to the foods that we use to fuel our bodies. One way is to consider eating more fresh foods by selecting vegetables, fruits, and other whole foods. Learning how to read labels is also an important step in understanding what is in the food we purchase at the store and to make informed choices about what we purchase and eat. Whole foods have fewer ingredients, are healthier choices and are more easily digested and nourishing for our bodies. Remember, we as community members can support a collective mindset of eating nutritious foods by purchasing, growing, or raising local foods.
Last but not least, Food Safety, Food Waste Prevention, and Resource Recovery. These three components are at the center of our food system wheel as they are important to all the parts of the food system. Starting with food safety not only refers to food preparation safety but also storage of prepared foods and making sure they are stored in ways that will prevent illness. By paying attention to what and how much we buy, expiration dates, how it will be prepared and making sure certain proper storage practices are followed, we can reduce the amount of food being dumped into the landfills. Some simple tricks like “shop your fridge first” can help to reduce food waste at home. Composting, or ‘resource recovery’, can also be used to prevent waste. Resource recovery allows us to gather food scraps and waste, and put them to use in another way that does not adversely affect the environment. Composting is becoming more prevalent and there are many ways households can compost in our community, including starting their own composting system or participating in a commercial composting service.
Healthy Archuleta extends a heartfelt thank you to the community members who came by the Food Dive this past Saturday and donated items to support the Food Pantry Network. This is one way that community members can contribute to our local food system.
To learn more about the Food System Wheel and the efforts of Healthy Archuleta, please visit our website at https://www.foodcoalition4archuleta.org/nutrition-security.html or send us an email at fsfearchuleta@gmail.com.