We really don’t like the “new normal.” We have missed our families, friends and co-workers and we worry about them. On a lesser scale, we have missed going to parks, the mountains and the beach, browsing at shops and eating at our local restaurants. And sports – we miss sports! But even under current circumstances, there are small areas of optimism, specific to our world, which is food and farming.

Below is our “optimistic” list from the food and farming world. You can choose which of these has had the biggest impact on you by visiting the Alliance for Food and Farming’s Facebook page. To help a little during these tough times, when you cast your vote on Facebook, you will be entered to win a $250 gift card to the grocery store of your choice.

Learning to Prep Foods and Cook: Whether it is learning to make your own fruit smoothies, steam and roast veggies, bake a potato, scramble eggs or roast a chicken, many of us are learning how to make our favorite foods or have returned to the kitchen to re-hone our cooking skills. While we can’t wait to get back to restaurants, cooking skills learned or practiced during the pandemic will serve us well in the future.

Greater appreciation for farmers, farm workers and food workers: Many of us will never take a stocked grocery store shelf or a restaurant meal for granted again. Our thanks to farmers and farm workers for growing and harvesting healthy and safe fruits and vegetables. And, our gratitude to the grocery store, restaurant, delivery and distribution center employees for your essential and critical work in keeping us all fed. And, please stay well.

We Know How To Wash Produce: Due to efforts by many in the produce industry as well as registered dietitians and government health officials, many of us have learned the proper way – and the wrong way – to wash fruits and veggies to remove dirt, bacteria and any residues which may be present. (No soap or detergents please!) Efforts to educate consumers on the proper washing and handling of produce have been ongoing for years but current circumstances have resulted in a renewed emphasis and may have long lasting benefits.

Media and Consumers Turning to More Informed Sources: More of us are looking to scientists, registered dietitians/nutritionists and government health officials for food safety and nutrition information. The information from these sources has been clear and consistent and includes the recommendation to eat more fruits and veggies each day to boost immunity and prevent illness. And, they have also constantly communicated this very important message: “According to the Centers for Disease Control and the Federal Food and Drug Administration, there is currently no evidence to support transmission of COVID 19 associated with food or food packaging.” We hope that these sources continue to be the “go to” when it comes to questions regarding the safety and health of our food.

While these are some small silver linings from our world and perspective, they may become small positive changes as we move forward. While the pandemic has disrupted our lives, impacted our livelihoods and separated or taken us from our loved ones and friends, it has conversely brought all of us together in ways never experienced before through this shared experience. Maybe another and much bigger reason for future optimism?

Stay well.