THE VIEW FROM HERE-In the second half of the last century as more women found themselves working outside the home, the idea of fast foods became popular. Think of the “convenient” TV dinner that emerged during that time (the downfall of the cohesiveness of the American family unit, in my opinion).
Today, many families still don’t eat together because of television, the computer, the MP3 players, and, of course, the cell phone. What too many nuclear groups have in common is the grab-some-food phenomenon—any food that is filling, like fatty hamburgers, French fries, chips, and cookies--so easily accessible from neighborhood fast-food “restaurants.”
So many of this generation’s moms and dads are often “horror-stricken” at the very idea of fixing well-balanced meals every morning and evening, often even bragging about how much they hate to cook. Frequently, family members serve themselves and eat in separate rooms rather than talking and laughing together over the day’s events—they are almost strangers to each other.
Perhaps how we interact as families is a subject for another article, but what can be addressed now is what and how we eat and the effect those foods have on us and our lives together.
Because of the ongoing efforts of Michelle Obama and many other individuals as well as numerous organizations, we are getting the idea across that certain eating habits are indeed bad for all of us. Child obesity, sugar diabetes, heart attacks and strokes, dental health, absenteeism from school and work, shorter life spans are just some of the consequences of poor diet.
Because of the Let’s Move Program initiated by Mrs. Obama and supported by such groups as the NFL with its own Play60 Movement, we are beginning to see the rate of obesity fall-- dramatically. Thus, the message is beginning to get through (though much remains to be done).
Despite these efforts, we still do not have an attractive alternative to the junk food that has become so much a part of the daily diet of most Americans. However, I have recently discovered a very viable substitute for all that unwholesome, empty food that so many consume on a regular basis.
Luke Saunders, a young entrepreneur with a manufacturing background, recognized this problem and founded a company that can do something about ameliorating our dietary woes. It is called Farmer’s Fridge and is based in Chicago. Sanders wanted “to make it fast and easy for someone to choose a delicious, nutritious smart meal when they are on-the-go.”
Consequently, last October he began with one automated kiosk in the greater Chicago area and is now up to 20! Prepared fresh every morning from scratch and delivered to the kiosks by 10 a.m., the food comes from local, organic growers and is prepared in a commercial kitchen. The company has partnered with SPE Certified which gives its stamp of approval (“a squiggly, red insignia”) only once the health-worthiness of the food is determined.
SPE further looks into the sourcing, preparation, and enhancement practices involved. As Natalia Hancock, R.D., a Senior Culinary Nutritionist states, “This is neither about diet food nor counting calories. It’s about enhancing the natural quality of foods and ensuring they taste good.” In addition, these gourmet products, from source to sale, follow the guidelines of the Environmental Working Group throughout the preparation process.
These kiosks are a marvel in themselves and are ecologically designed so that each one uses electricity at a monthly cost of less than $10. They are a revolutionary concept whose time has come: The refrigerated kiosks maintain the food at the perfect temperature. The outer structure, made of lovely reclaimed barn wood, surrounds the state-of-the-art glass case that houses a variety of foods--from breakfast to lunch and snack items, all made from a range of ingredients such as “whole grains, fruit, vegetables, quality proteins and healthy fats for lasting fullness.”
These freshly prepared items satisfy the appetite and do not leave the diner craving more food in another hour. We can salivate over one of its more popular and enticing Caesar salads made of kale, sweet potatoes, pomegranate seeds, pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, parmesan, and spicy egg croutons served with vegan Caesar dressing. There are chicken, salmon, and tuna offerings and yogurt desserts to top off the meal. Wow!!
The company provides both its kiosk menu and its catering services at reasonable prices. The concept has obviously caught on and has become so popular with the patrons that it has grown geometrically over just five months.
Its success has made me think about our needs right here in Los Angeles. I had the opportunity to speak with the very engaging founder who was eager to share his insights and intentions. I mentioned that we have food deserts in our midst in which it is very difficult to locate a market selling healthy foods at affordable prices, yet where fast-food drive-ins abound.
Mr. Saunders indicated that his company is, in fact, looking our way to set up a pilot program. The idea really excited me because, as a past teacher in the LAUSD, I know that our school district and some neighboring ones are currently offering healthy-food classes, fruit and vegetables gardens grown for student and community consumption, health fairs, and so on.
Having worked with a number of Northeast Valley middle and high schools as well as local neighborhood councils, I assured him that introducing such alternatives for our students (and their parents) would be very welcome. I was concerned how kiosks would work for those who are on the Federal Food Supplement Programs and he, already being aware of this problem, wants to look into it. He did indicate that items now offered for students in general are already listed at a lower price.
Neighborhood leaders are also teaching our children and the community at-large to recycle. It so happens that the kiosks come with recycling bins for easy disposal of the plastic jars in which the foods are stored. He assured me that the container materials contain no harmful chemicals [such as BPA (Bisphenol A) and Phthalates (for plastic flexibility] that could in any way jeopardize the health of those exposed to them.
Furthermore, the foods themselves are made with no preservatives and are FDA compliant.
If the containers are not sold by early evening, the foods are sold at a reduced price. Although the items could last for three days, his employees remove them each night and deliver the foods to food banks where the meals are served free-of-charge.
Farmer’s Fresh has also created pilot programs which are currently at one of the universities in Chicago as well as at a charter school. I believe, if we Angelinos mean what we say, that we should welcome such a food service within Los Angeles Unified. Currently Sylmar High School and Mission Community College (also in Sylmar) as well as San Fernando High School (which currently works with the Los Angeles Education Partnership (LAEP) would and should be prime targets for installing such kiosks.
I am further convinced that our local School Board Members and City Councilmembers as well as the Mayor would all jump on board to welcome such a business within and outside of our city boundaries. In keeping with this thought, we ought to ponder the possibilities regarding the monies that have already been granted to the Promise Zones within our City and determine what they (and allocations from other such programs) can do to promote such an enterprise.
I am also impressed by the fact that Mr. Saunders pays his employees a double-digit hourly salary, provides sick days as necessary, and encourages his people to sign up for the Affordable Care Act.
He treats his workers so well that there is very little turn-over. That is the kind of businessman we should applaud and encourage to be part of our own community. Chicago is providing a great foundation for Farmer’s Fridge, but just think of what Los Angeles could do and how much it would benefit from a business like that!
● For further information, please go to the farmersfridge.com website and pull down the various menus (and menus) for more details.
(Rosemary Jenkins is a Democratic activist and chair of the Northeast Valley Green Coalition. Jenkins has written Leticia in Her Wedding Dress and Other Poems, A Quick-and-Easy Reference to Correct Grammar and Composition and Vignettes for Understanding Literary and Related Concepts. She also writes for CityWatch.)
CityWatch
Vol 12 Issue 19
Pub: Mar 4, 2014
