Winter starts early Monday morning at 5:02 am Eastern Standard Time. Even the most optimistic timelines don't have a significant number of people receiving a COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic vaccine before the start of spring 2021. This will be a very long and horrible winter in terms of isolation, food insecurity, and financial upheaval, especially in the United States.
Food banks now more important than ever in COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic
The fact that the Republicans in the Senate haven't negotiated or been interested in the millions of Americans who lost their $600 unemployment supplement since late July should be above the fold, breaking news from U.S. journalism sources. Cable news is glad to show long lines of cars waiting for food but can't seem to grasp the tough choices people are making. They can't find jobs and need to eat, pay the rent and electricity bills.
Full disclosure: I am one of those people financially struggling. I feel highly confident that I was more financially fortunate, I would reach out to help those who weren't as fortunate. Other "first-world" countries are doing way better at looking after their people. The Republicans in the U.S. Senate wouldn't last long if they had to live on what millions of Americans are doing just trying to survive.
The idea of the Democratic Party winning both Senate seats in Georgia on January 5, 2021 is a gigantic ask. Unless that happens, we will see bankruptcies and suicides. Farmers benefit when consumers can buy the food they produce. When people have money to buy food, everyone wins. The Republicans in the U.S. Senate, particularly Mitch McConnell (R-KY) do not want to help people access food and shelter.
2020 farmers market update: What to do without winter markets
BalanceofFood.com farmers market coverage
Taking my own advice for farmers markets in the winter. Using a local store that carries a lot of local farmers products. Going far out on Sundays to the only winter farmers market as needed. Bought a lot of produce that will keep through the winter, such as pickles and the blueberries I buy every July to have as a winter fruit supply.
Hopefully, you have options to pursue local produce during the winter months. Or you took advantage by making your own pickles or jam.
I will desperately miss the vibe of the semi-regular winter farmers market. I will learn to adjust to the new reality, hopefully only for this winter.
Embracing your stress eating during the COVID-19 coronavirus
I still love Trader Joe's Belgian Chocolate Pudding. We announced this as our pandemic craving earlier this year. I have had the pudding with local fruit through the summer and autumn.
I have cut back lately on the pudding. We are in the 10th month of the pandemic. The pandemic craving is good at a Linus-endorsed security blanket in the beginning. The pudding is now a special treat, the status the pudding had before the pandemic.
Maybe I kept my security blanket too long, or cut the time too short. Maybe the length of time with the security blanket was exactly where this needed to be.
Make al fresco dining the new trend in the streets
If you do live in a place where the weather is warm enough, take advantage to eat outside. If sitting in the outdoor seating makes you nervous, get the food to go and find a quiet place to eat the food. I remember fondly eating strawberries (picture above) on the beach in Santa Monica, CA in late January 2019. I didn't need to socially distance back then.
Eating in a car normally can be depressing, especially while driving. In a pandemic, a car is a good place to eat but take the time to put the car in park.
BalanceofFood.com holidays coverage
Sampling disappeared months ago from the grocery store and later the farmers market. Even with a vaccine, sampling may not come back for a very long time.
Hope you will find some food comfort in your holiday season. Hope your Hanukkah went well for those who celebrate that holiday. Be safe, think about ways to add more nutrition to your diet, and seek comfort in others who may be isolated this winter. Recipe exchanges, help a friend learn how to cook: food can be bring people together, if not in the same room.
photo credit: me
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