Have you got a taste of summer yet? The natural bounty is plentiful this season and farmers' markets are bustling and growing in size and popularity every year. People want good food.
Here on Bowen Island we have an impressive array of locally grown selections. Imagine for a moment your first bite of your favourite freshly picked food. Popping that first still-warm-from-the-sun tomato into your mouth and tasting its texture and flavour is thrilling. It's truly one of the most glorious experiences we can have if we really take a moment to notice. What exactly is at work with that burst of flavour? This has been a question for nutritional researchers for a long time. Recently, they found that there are specialized phyto-nutrients (plant nutrients) specifically called polyphenols which are technically an anti-fungal element of the plant's immune system. These polyphenols only develop on organically grown (or no use of chemicals) and only in the latter stages of ripening (no imported foods). And they are powerful immune stimulants for humans that can significantly contribute to better overall health. And it has been discovered that thesepolyphenols can even destroy cancer cells upon contact. That's a superb example of a powerful symbiosis between humans and foods. Foods that our grandparents would recognize are those that nourish us most deeply. So, the next time you're experiencing that burst of flavour, be aware of the service you are doing to your body and your overall health.
The Bowen Agricultural Alliance (along with other groups like Bowen in Transition, the Ruddy Garden, the Bowen Community Gardens and various independent growers) are aiming to increase our access to good, local, quality organic (or equivalent) food and it is important that islanders show their support. The more we support the island's growers, the more food we'll have. We can all reap the benefits.
Join us at BowFEAST on August 18 on the Library lawn for a wide array of local fare; both fresh and prepared. It's one of the best events of the year, certainly the most delicious.
And the week of August 13 to 19 is earmarked for the local eating challenge. See if you can get as much of our food from Bowen Island or British Columbia.
Here are some delicious ideas for BowFEAST week:
Lisa Marie Bhattacharya
