Small Victory

During World War I and World War II, the government requested that American citizens plant their own gardens to aid in the war effort. Victory Gardens aided in sustainability and created a sense of community on the home front.

While we have nothing resembling a food shortage in our country right now, there are more reasons than ever to revive the tradition of Victory Gardens. The demand for local, organic and inexpensive food is on the rise…a triumvirate of requests that seems oxymoronic. Organic herbs from my local grocery store cost two to three dollars each depending on the season. And with the amount of food I cook and the amount I get paid at work, I simply can’t afford the steep prices.

But I want to do my part and I want to eat clean. And thus I planted my first Victory Garden. Having no yard to call my own, I made do by planting a container garden. It’s small, but mighty. A few weeks in the Texas sun and I’ll have Serrano Peppers, Green Zebras, Garden Peaches and a beautiful mass of herbs - all free for the pick’n.

For those of you in the Austin area, check out the Sustainable Food Center Web site for information on how to start your own garden or to locate a community garden near you.

www.sustainablefoodcenter.org