Food Revival

Be warned: I'm having a moment. This happens when you get laid off and sift through  uncomfortable questions like, "What next?"or "What do I want?" It happens. So stick with me here and welcome to this very interesting (and weird) journey.

If you've been following my website, you know that I was laid off from my job back in December. You also already know that the layoff ended up being a big 'ol kick in the pants to do something different. As loyal Food Revivalists, you know that I've been nurturing my passion for food, telling stories, and doing good community-minded things. Finding the path less taken, standing out from a crowd, arguing the beliefs of eating local, biting off more than I can chew-- well, these are just a few things I'm learning along this path of living a newly inspired life.

Since starting Food Revival, I've linked my way from food website to food website, I've twittered from one site to the next, and I've subscribed to as many food-oriented publications I can possibly afford. I'm learning tons. I'm gaining valuable tools. I'm also gaining confidence and the realization that I was (yep, you heard me: "was" being the key word here) headed in a unrealistic direction.

I'm feeling overwhelmed. I'm feeling a tad bit disappointed with all the lines in the sand. I'm also learning that patience is not my virtue. I mean, who am I kidding? It never was my strength. So, here I go rushing into this highly established food world thinking that my point of view is unique, that I can offer something to the conversation. And then I'm just reminded just how much I don't know. I am NOT the who's who in culinary circles. I'm just feeling the interesting politics sneaking back into my conversations. Don't get me wrong, I get WHY there are so many stances to take in the food arena. I totally get why there are loyalists on both sides. I understand the need for arguing and supporting ideas and passions and policies. I understand supporting your local community and having access to safe food. I get it. I support it. I try to live it as best I can.

But when did it become an either/or? Why does someone's knowledge, ability, and size of their wallet determine if you are a better cook, a better advocate, or a better representative? When did it get to be about that?

Here's my thing: I never want to suggest that I have all of the answers. I'm not the best cook in the world. I don't know every single policy issue. I don't know every chef's name. Heck, I don't know every author's name. I'm actually okay with that.

Here's what I do know: I think that we are in a unique time of radical change. Communities are having to pull together to feed each other, provide for each other, and support one another. I just left a corporate world at one of the largest media companies on the planet and decided to take a year to figure out how I can invest in MY LIFE and MY COMMUNITY, not my career. You can imagine the disappointment as I jump into this movement to find the same kind of divide. It feels quite simlar to when my women's studies group at Georgia State University crumbled due to differing opinions on direction and moving forward or thoughts on a subject matter. So you know, it's not a surprise that I will experience this time and time again. I accept this. My glasses aren't that rosy, people.

But as for my walk in the food world, I'm going to take a different path. I'm going to take a path that highlights the food, the individuals, and their stories equally. I want to change this world one plate at a time. There is a social justice beyond how great food should taste and that is where I'm choosing to focus my time and energy. I applaud all the food folks out there doing their best and I'm going to continue to keep up with all of the blogs, websites, articles, and awards. I just think I needed to define in an open forum as to why I started this website in the first place.

Food is a very personal thing. I think about seeing women and men in the kitchen as a young kid never realizing what it would mean to me today. I think about my home, my friends, their mothers and fathers,and grandmothers and grandfathers.  I think about the beautiful people sharing their time and talents by feeding entire communities. I think about what it means to be able to afford food. I'm realizing as I sift through my many different thoughts/feelings about what I'm going to do next and I'm learning more and more about what I'm NOT going to do next. It's fascinating, really.

I think that once all of the "not going to do's" sort themselves out, I'm going to know exactly what that passion-filled, smart, and conscientious thing is. Authenticity is the name of the game and it's easy to get swept up in hoopla. Food Revival is my reminder to stay grounded, remember who I want to touch in this world, and promote the fact that safe, delicious food should be accessible no matter who you are. Time spent at the table should be celebrated. Feeding folks' souls and spirits is  a good thing.

Thanks for letting me clarify. And thank for coming back to the site as often as you do. I'm dedicated to moving my community forward. I'm just making sure I do it the right way. On equal ground. I'm learning that knowing a bunch of stuff is awesome, but knowing your community (and yourself) is more important. I'm learning more about myself every single day and I know I'm better for it. 

Later taters,
Amanda