This past february 4th Sierra Filucci, reporter for the Sacramento News and Review brings us the story of her young modern family trapped between the desire to feed themselves ethically, responsibly and sustainably and the pressures of modern life. Sierra and her husband decided to attempt and interesting experiment. For an entire month they would feed their family only prepared, packaged foods and meals and for the following month they would attempt to eat organically, preparing as many of their foods and meals at home as possible. They tried to determine if the benefits (well-being, ethical and other) of choosing and preparing their food according to the precepts of the modern prophets such as Michael Pollan and Barbara Kingsolver would suit the modern lifestyle of a young family. How would the work, time and money needed to obtain and prepare high quality food compare to the pleasure of cooking and eating this same food?
Though I might believe that we can combine the process of creating our meals with family leisure time and that these small projects can become common ground for communication, a better understanding and an exchange of love – it does take a certain degree of organization. 12-step Gourmet recipes may sell many cookbooks and cooking shows, but when cooking daily for a family, the work-results tradeoff just is not there. 
Read Sierra Filucci’s story carefully as well as the comments posted by readers on the Sacramento News and Review’s site as well as here on the Utne Reader (who also reported the story). What do you think? Do you find that the pressures of modern life limit your capacity to invest the time or effort in your family’s nourishment? Do you believe that it’s simply a lack of organization or is it a waste of effort?
