2008 Essay Contest Winners

Jake McClure

2nd Place Essay – 2008
Jake McClure
Lawton High School
11th Grade

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As the sun shone brightly through the car window on an early spring morning, I stretched my muscles and yawned deeply. I blinked away the sleep, wondering for the umpteenth time why I was up so early on a Saturday morning, riding shotgun into the middle of nowhere with my elderly pilot keeping us on course. I mean, I was only ten years old; I could be planted in front of some Saturday morning cartoons, or, better yet, snoozing away the cock-crow hours sandwiched between a nice spring mattress and some cotton sheets. I gazed forlornly out the window, lamenting the loss of a precious weekend morning. I turned to my grandma and asked what we were doing out here, squeezing ourselves into the crack of dawn for no apparent reason. She just smiled and replied simply: we were heading to the farmers’ market. Curiosity may have killed the cat, but a ten year old is a resilient being, and I asked what in the world a farmers’ market was. My grandma explained about how farmers gathered at the market to sell their goods to welcome customers. She told me how the fruits – and vegetables – of their labors were exchanged for the money they needed to survive. I took this in a typical pre-adolescent fashion: with total skepticism and misunderstanding. Why get up so early and drive so long just to get some food? I mean, didn’t these people know there was a Wal-Mart right down the street? As I condemned these farmers to ignorance with my infallible logic, the car started to slow down. I gazed out the windshield at rows upon rows of fresh fruits and vegetables, shaded by a canvas awning. I looked at the farmers, with their leathery yet cheery faces, clad in faded overalls and straw hats, seated behind the results of their toil. I followed my grandma and stepped out of the car; we strolled up to the farmers, and while my grandma searched for her needed produce, I stared at the plethora of colors, smelled the aromas, and sized up a melon I was pretty sure was twice the size of my head. I remember thinking that Wal-Mart definitely didn’t have stuff like this. From that moment on, I became interested in the world of locally grown foods. I have come to realize the benefits of being able to buy healthy, tasty food from a local provider. But, of course, along with the pros, there are cons to relying on local vendors, but I believe the benefits outweigh the costs.

There are many benefits to buying locally grown foods. By purchasing wares from local farmers and ranchers, we are taking a step to creating a virtually self-sustaining society. In exchange for their healthy food, we give the farmers money so that they can purchase the things they need to continue to harvest. This circle benefits everyone; farmers’ market prices are usually lower than those of supermarkets and grocery stores because of the lack of shipping fees or other costly taxes. Lower prices leads to more customers, which equals greater prosperity for the farmers and their buyers. Another benefit of locally grown foods is the healthy results of the food: mass produced products can become infected with pesticides, poisons, and other vile substances that are a result of plane and automobile shipping. Farmers’ market food is grown close to where it is sold, thus eliminating the need for shipping and avoiding all those harmful substances. Farmers’ markets also sell the fruits and vegetables that are essential to a healthy lifestyle; no deep frying, sugar coating, or artificial flavoring allowed. Obesity is a huge problem in our country, and if more people relied on the healthy options of a farmers’ market instead of cramming all sorts of junk into their mouths, our country would be a healthier place. A farmers’ market provides the tools necessary to take the first step toward a healthier future.

Despite all the benefits, there are some disadvantages to relying on locally grown foods for nourishment. By buying goods solely from local vendors, one denies our nation’s economy of necessary funds. Without money to sustain the supermarkets and grocery stores, prices will increase drastically for those people who do not have access to a farmers’ market. Also, farmers rely heavily on the weather to produce a good crop; one bad drought can severely cut the amount of food they are able to sell, thus depriving the customers of their food source, causing them to turn to other providers. Furthermore, many citizens do not have accessibility to farmers’ markets. Many people live where climate conditions are not favorable for growing crops, or they just live too far away to make buying food from a small market plausible. Luckily, I live in an area that is ripe with opportunity to grow and buy food, and I am very thankful for that. Being able to buy healthy, affordable food is a huge comfort.

Relying on locally grown foods is a double-edged sword, but I believe the pros of healthy, affordable food are sharper than the cons. True, our nation’s economy is deprived of the money we spend at local markets, but other areas of the economy – like textiles, automobiles, and other sections – are still thriving. We must make some sacrifices in order to make a better, healthier future. It is also true that many people do not have easy access to farmers’ markets, but if they really care about their future, they will go the extra mile. Farms and farmers are located all over the country, and with some passion and a little tenacity, a farmers’ market can be found. The cons of buying from local farmers are easily remedied, and the benefits point to a brighter future, and I hope that future generations will be transfixed by the fruits of the good, honest labor of good, honest people, just as I was on that early spring morning.

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