Come on now, Richmond!

With a great system of natural foods stores and farmer's markets a nearly ubiquitous presence both physically and in the local media, is Richmond heeding the call to eat healthier and from local sources? Apparently not. According to this article in Forbes magazine, Richmond consumers have the second unhealthiest grocery shopping habits in the country. There are, of course, many factors at work, including social influence and perceived cost, but the most surprising influence on eating is simply habit. We tend to buy what we have always bought. That is what I love about food, though. Food is something that we are constantly acquiring, and so can constantly be rethought. Food can help us awaken out of our unconscious habits to something that has a very powerful influence over our health, our economy and our world. We can choose every day to put our influence to work in a positive way, no how matter how small the decision.