Nobel Prize Rewards Groundbreaking Gardening Theory

The Nobel Prize medal

I know it's a bit odd to see an article about the Nobel Prize for Economics in the NY Food Examiner's column.  But if you can bear with me for a second, you'll understand why. 

On Monday, American Elinor Ostrom became the first woman ever to win the Nobel Prize in Economics for research she conducted demonstrating how communities of all types can act together for the common good when confronted with a shortage of resources, challenging the notion that when finite resources go unregulated by public or private institutions they will be used up.

The inspiration for her research? World War II victory gardens. During the war, many communities in the U.S. and Britain worked together to grow food to share. “My mother had a victory garden during the war,” Ostrom, who shares the prize with Oliver Williamson, says, “so I learned all about growing vegetables and preserving them by canning.”  If that doesn't prove that spending time with your kids in the kitchen can have some pretty great results, than I don't know what does.

And of course, the Obamas recently planted a White House Victory Garden to much fanfare, with part of the produce going to local food pantries.  But this isn't the first garden planted at the White House...throughout its history, the White House has been home to many kinds of food gardensw, and even hosted a lawn-mowing herd of sheep in 1918. The garden makes particular sense now as the focus turns to sustainability and intelligent use of our resources. 

 Recently, Food Bank For New York City announce the new herb and vegetable garden at their Community Kitchen.  Volunteers help keep the garden going, and the garden provides some fresh and very local ingredients for Food Bank's Community Kitchen.  You can volunteer to participate.  There's no guarantee it will lead to a Nobel Prize, but it can only lead to good things.