Summary Of Springing Forward By Barbara Kingsolver

There are more choices today than ever before when buying food. Modern technology has allowed for incredible advancements in food preparation and delivery. In the article Springing Forward by Barbara Kingsolver, she states how she is displeased with the way produce is handled at supermarkets. Kingsolver is a passionate gardener so this issue strikes close to her. In her article, Kingsolver is upset that companies breed a limited variety of vegetables for their clients. Therefore, there is less diversity of vegetables for consumers to try at the supermarkets. Kingsolver’s complaints however focus on private companies doing what is best for their business when growing food. However, she is qualified to speak on this topic with a lot of experience

Disagreements One primary concern Kingsolver has with the food industry today is that “Most standard vegetable varieties have been bred for uniform appearance, mechanized harvest, convenience of packing, and a tolerance for hard travel” (Kingsolver 622). These qualities however are essential for the companies that grow the vegetables. Most produce grown today, especially out of season items, is shipped long distances to reach the market. If these companies did not focus on growing their food with these qualities, they would lose a lot of money. Some of their products would go bad and spoil before even reaching their destination. This loss of supply would be inefficient, and decrease chance at profits for these companies. Agribusiness has evolved throughout the years, and these changes should be embraced instead of shunned. These developments are extremely

“Even a child who dislikes tomatoes could likely tell the difference between a watery mass-market tomato and a grandmotherly (if not pie-baking) heirloom” (Kingsolver 622). While local food may taste better, it is usually more expensive than the supermarkets. These vegetables that are grown on a large scale for supermarkets provide a much more affordable option for those who need it. Families that are struggling to make ends meet, but still need fresh fruit and vegetables, benefit greatly from the reduced price of supermarket produce. However, if it is within the budget, most people have the option of going to a local farmer’s market. These shops bring together local growers to give the consumers a taste of produce from nearby. The taste of diverse and local vegetables (according to Kingsolver) is superior, but it is more expensive. These markets still provide a great alternative to supermarkets if a customer would prefer to avoid supermarkets for their produce needs. Farmer’s markets know their consumers well, and provide the type of produce variety Kingsolver