The Hunger Gap: Part I

How Do I Solve The Hunger Gap For My Family?

My Goal, More Sustainability and Self Reliance For My Family

...but wait, didn't we learn anything from the Pandemic, and global Supply Chain Shortages?

I've been a gardener all my life - learned from my Papou (Grandfather) and my mom. Although, I haven't been as large scale or dedicated, before the CoVid Pandemic brought food shortages. Since then, I have been growing larger amounts, and growing over winter, indoors.

... but food is not in short supply any more!

So, why I am thinking about The Hunger Gap still? Because, actually, yes, there still are random food supply issues. AND, if you follow the news, on the invasion of Ukraine, by Russia, you know there still are some Global issues. Ukraine supplies a HUGE percent of raw wheat, processed flour, sunflower seeds, oil, and sunflower flour, to much of Africa, parts of Asia, and Europe.

AND, the grain deal was only recently renewed, for 60 days.
A trip each week, to my local grocery store, shows me plenty of items I skip on my list because the item is not there or simply OBSCENELY overpriced.

...but I will not be caught with my tighty whities around my ankles again.

I have been harvest a much more food, locally, from my own gardens. The pic above was my peak one day harvest early August last summer. I've been learning how best to store Onions, harvest September, and still have some left: maybe a quarter what I stored.

I harvest tomato, all summer and fall, and make Salsa, and Gallons of Tomato Sauce, for the freezer. I've only recently used my last tomato sauce. (3 jars salsa left!) I have 4 or 5 jars of pickles (some Dill cucumber pickle, some Sweet Bread and Butter). I have a few dozen jars of Jams and Jellies (Beach plum, Blueberry, Raspberry). but I want more stability.

I need to grow more vegetables and learn to dehydrate and save them. So far, I am saving Onions this way. I need to learn to partially cook, and freeze more, too. I am thinking Carrot, Peas, for sure.

I already grow herbs indoors, and Lettuce, Spinach and Arugula, all winter. What else can I grow indoors to cut down the Hunger Gap?

... but what am I growing Now?

This year, so far, here's what I have planted:

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Above: Tomato Seeds

Below: Pepper Seeds

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Above: Cucumber Seeds

Below: Squash< Eggplant, and Zucchini Seeds

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Above: Garlic, Onion and Chives

Below: Seeds to be planted still

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Next Post, Part II, we'll delve into HOW MANY plants per person is sustainable for one year. AND also, address a few very obvious shortcomings in my planning. As well, I will touch on not only parts of the Hunger Gap Shortages, but also, Sustainability, and Carbon Neutral Awareness.

If you follow me, you know I prefer to grow my own food for my family and friends. You probably also know, my love language seems to be serving. For my family and friends, that means, cooking and serving them healthy, locally grown food, whenever and wherever I can. Local food has a much lower impact on our local, national, and global environment.

And that makes me smile... better for the planet, better for my own family.

Show me your garden!
Leave me a comment, below...
and a link to your #GroVid22 garden!

It's time to take control of your own food supply,
your own health and your own lives.

The GroVid23 Challenge:
Grow Your OWN is not just a simple short challenge,
it's about taking control of your future!

Happy Gardening and Cheers,
BluefinStudios

All Images by Bluefin Studios unless specified.