Thanks for your note. The situation you describe is not as rare as a lot of people would like to think. I applaud you for growing your own food, and I hope you will consider me a resource to help you with gardening information any time I am able. As difficult as your situation is, I hope you can find some comfort knowing that generations of our ancestors raised all of their own food, and we can too.

Best to you!

If I want to eat anything as exotic as parsnips, bell peppers that are not green, rutabagas, arugula, fresh mint, fresh basil, honey dew, or purple cabbage, I need to drive 35 miles away or grow it. Fresh kraut must be made at home, because it can not be found within 50 miles at any price. The same for elderberries, carrots any color other than orange, tomatoes any color other than red, and a host of other delicious fruits and vegetables. We do have a farmer’s market but they focus on things that the grocery store already has at a cheaper price.

As a result, due to necessity, I have learned to grow food. This year will be particularly difficult, as I can not longer afford food out of the grocery store and maintain a diet that is not 90% carbohydrates. I have 5 children. We receive only $100 in Snap, and it does next to nothing. I can buy may be 4 days of food for that $100. This year, I must garden as if my life depends upon it…because it does. As does the life and health of my children. I do not relish having so much riding on my gardening abilities.

As such, I will be thinking of you and your good works. You will be helping people like me learn to stretch dollars, eat healthier, and become more aware of what they put in their bodies. Keep us in your thoughts.