There was a time when people ate more than 350 different types of plants in a year.  Now, the number is less than 50!

Markham Regional Arboretum Society

I found this in a cook book and checked it out. It is actually true. The current lack of variety in our plant based diets is attributed to several factors. Among them is the fact that there are fewer home gardens, lack of choice in grocery stores, and fewer farmer’s markets. Another factor is that there simply is not the demand for foods that are considered exotic.

Again, I found this hard to believe, but check out your grocery store produce counter: broccoli, corn, salad ingredients (Lettuce/tomatoes/ green onions) some squashes, carrots, a bunch of bagged salads, and imported fruits.

This is not a complaint, but I do wonder not only about lack of variety, but about the fact that statistics also show that many people simply do not cook anymore. What do YOU think?

Love, Judith

PS-We have many farmer’s markets around here in season and I shop/love them, but even here there is a lack of variety.