How Food Connects us to Nature

For many people in this modern age food may be the only day-to-day connection to nature.

While we are fortunate enough to live in Oklahoma with beautiful weather and a multitude of outdoor opportunities, it is easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of city life. In our busy days we wake up to an alarm clock in our comfy bed and prepare for the day – with our cell phones, constant WiFi, and video streaming at our fingertips, the luxuries of indoor plumbing and hi-tech appliances (so nice! it’s true). From our homes we go to our vehicles and drive past the trees and rivers to the office. Your office may or may not even have plants inside, fresh life to clean the air and uplift the machine infused environment. Although we will make plans to get out on the weekend, we may not even touch the earth or soak in the breeze for days on end.  

Food, however, we will eat many times daily.

Food is more than just something to fill our stomachs—it's a beautiful connection to the natural world around us. Every meal we enjoy tells the story of the environment, the soil, the weather, and the hardworking hands that help grow, harvest, or raise it. When we eat fresh fruits, vegetables, grains, or animal products, we're not just nourishing our bodies; we're also reconnecting with the rhythms of nature, like the changing seasons and the rich biodiversity that makes our planet so unique.

Scientific studies back up the idea that the food we choose has a powerful link to the environment. For example, research shows that local, seasonal, and sustainably grown food helps protect biodiversity and supports healthier ecosystems. A study in Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment found that farming practices like crop rotation and organic farming actually boost biodiversity and improve soil health (Kremen et al., 2012). These eco-friendly practices work with nature, helping to keep the land fertile and diverse for future generations.

And it’s not just good for the planet—it’s good for us too! Eating food grown in harmony with nature can actually improve our health. A study in Nutrients found that local, organic food tends to have more nutrients and fewer harmful chemicals compared to conventionally grown options (Barański et al., 2014). So when we choose what’s in season or grown sustainably, we're nourishing both ourselves and the Earth.

When we savor that sun-ripened tomato or earthy wild mushroom, we're tasting the land's goodness. Choosing food that’s local and in season strengthens our bond with the planet, supporting not just our health, but the well-being of the environment, too.

In the end, food is a bridge that connects us to nature, reminding us of the delicate relationship we share with the earth. By being mindful of what we eat, we honor that connection and help ensure it thrives for years to come.

As we take in the physical aspects of our food we can imitate their characteristics as well – juicy, sumptuous, spicy, energized, tough, strong, sweet…you are what you eat!

Take on the traits of a tree - strong, wise, patient. Or a pepper, or a squash! Perhaps think of this over your next meal, or while giving gratitude at a bountiful harvest from the garden. Each bite of delicious food contains all of the goodness of the earth – not just the necessary vitamins and minerals (calories and proteins we count daily!) but also the spirit – the very nature of God. Let it nurture your body wholly and completely. Soak in each delicious bite savoring its full juiciness of the earth.

Happy eatings!