In this portion of the novel, Kingsolver wrapped up the last half of her year as a local eater and yet vowed to continue eating the way she was, only a little less strict. She described the joy of the first tomato, and how quickly that first tomato turns into a field full of tomatoes waiting to be harvested. The entire family assisted with canning and pickling to prepare for the lack of fresh vegetables in the upcoming winter. They managed to survive the "Hungry Month" (February) by adapting their meal plan to include more meats and soups. The meal plans featured at the end of certain chapters not only sound amazing but are even occasionally given in a recipe. This book is obviously meant to be a field guide to eating local, the first stop being the reader's kitchen. Kingsolver became increasingly horrified by the food industry, even going so far as to call American animal farms what capitalism would look like "in the absence of moral or regulatory constraint." And it really is true. There is no doubt in my mind that this family's experience eating food that was locally and humanely raised will spark interest and debate for anyone that reads this book. The food industry has caused Americans to put little thought into the food they consume, when in all actuality healthy food should be their main concern, seeing as how much it effects our daily lives.
Not to mention that eating locally can be a real bargain. Kingsolver and her family saved thousands over the course of the year, with each member of the family eating a meal for just about 50 cents. Although farming for oneself is a bit of a stretch, it can be a valuable source of income on the side, and even a small vegetable garden can take some economic weight off. Americans need to reevaluate their relationships with their food sources, and I for one can not wait to join my mom at the local farmers market tomorrow.
