Thanksgiving is the king of holidays for a locavore. While most holidays have strong food traditions, Thanksgiving is a celebration of the harvest itself, a day to focus our attention on the bounty of food available to us. It’s an occasion to give thanks for the rich harvest and people to share it with.

I have always given thanks for my family and friends who fill my life with love and laughter. I am eternally grateful for the time we spend together creating and reliving memories over shared meals.

However, while family and friends are true blessings, my life as an aspiring locavore has shown me that we all have much more to be thankful for than I ever realized. Each day we are fed by the labors of countless hands, most of which go unacknowledged. It is through their efforts that our bodies are nourished, and it is to these unseen faces that I offer up my heartfelt gratitude.

I am thankful for the restaurant owners, chefs, and staff who have fed me when I lacked either the time or the forethought to feed myself. I am especially thankful for the growing number of farm to table establishments, which serve up some of the best food that Southern California has to offer. I will gladly patron any restaurant that makes the effort to buy local produce, and procure pastured raised meats.

I am thankful for Whole Foods Market, Ocean Beach People’s Organic Food Co-op, Henry’s Farmers Market, and all of the other retailers who have bought food from local growers this year. They have made it more convenient for the average person to purchase locally grown food, and given farmers access to a wider range of consumers. I rely on these places as my main source of ingredients, and without them I could not make regular meals at home.

I am thankful for the plethora of weekly Farmers’ Markets in San Diego County. For the organizers, as well as the farmers who offer us the fruits of their labor. I am grateful for the opportunity to meet the growers face to face. They have kindly answered my questions, provided me details on their farming practices, and introduced me to new varieties of fruits and vegetables. I am indebted to La Milpa Organica, J.R. Organics, Sweet Tree Farms, Womach Ranch Farms, and all of the others who have inspired me with their passion and quality foods.

I am in awe of, and sincerely grateful to all farmers who believe in and practice sustainable agriculture. It is not an easy vocation – certainly not a way to get rich quick, and yet without these dedicated, hard working laborers you and I would starve. We owe them far more than a just fair wage. We owe them our lives.

I am equally thankful for the plants and animals that have lost their lives to sustain mine. I am grateful for the bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, and the cows and chickens that provide me with milk and eggs.

This Thanksgiving I am looking forward to sipping a glass of local wine as I prepare and serve a meal made with local ingredients. It may not look like a traditional Thanksgiving table with a giant bird as a centerpiece, numerous side dishes, and half a dozen pies; it may just be a small meal for two. No matter the size or what is served there will be plenty to be grateful for, and plenty of thanks offered.

I will not be posting a new article on November 27th in observance of Thanksgiving. See you on December 4th!