Good food … what do you picture in your mind? Do you see a set table, perhaps with your family or good friends sitting around it? Or, do you picture a double cheeseburger and fries from fast food restaurant X, Y or Z?

Through the magic of food chemistry, the pleasure of high-fat foods and the instant gratification of speed, the fast-food industry has managed to dramatically change the eating habits of the American public. As our waistlines expand, something is getting lost; and I believe we are losing the real enjoyment of food.

I expect that few people will ever give up the fast-food habit, but there are alternative approaches. I hope this summer that you will take some time out of your busy lives and prepare some nice meals at home with foods grown in the state of Maine. We have all heard the expression “think globally … act locally.” This is a great way to do just that. Secondly, when you do go out to eat, make it a real meal and eat at an establishment where you can enjoy the food experience.

In spite of summer’s slow arrival, Maine farmers have begun to supply us with wonderful high- quality meats and vegetables that many of us have come to expect. There are 55 farmers’ markets across the state. If you are thinking that there can’t be anything available yet, you’re wrong. At the opening day of the Orono market, there were a variety of fresh grown greens, fresh meats and cheeses and fiddleheads for sale along with flowers and plants to start in your own gardens.

There is nothing like the quality of fresh-picked produce. Shortly, Maine fruit will also be available; there are 36 strawberry producers across the state that allow families to come and pick strawberries. Many of these will also have other fruit available through the summer. A listing of all these markets is available through the Department of Agriculture Food and Rural Resources Web site www.getrealmaine.com.

One of the nicest things about the markets is getting to know the people who grow the food. Many of us have lost this connection. Too many children think that food comes from the grocery store or the drive through. This has to change. Another thing we can do to increase demand for Maine-produced food to ask our supermarket managers to carry locally grown food when possible. Buying locally grown produce supports the Maine economy and our farmers who bring us quality produce each year.

As a society, we need to have food become something more than a hunger fix. Quality food is quality time and it’s worthwhile. Many food magazines regularly produce tasty 30-minute or less recipes. Yes, it takes some time to shop, but it is worth it. When it is time for a break and you want to go out to eat, make it an experience.

The slow-food movement (www.

slowfood.com) is a group of 65,000 people worldwide working to get people to slow down and appreciate the dining experience. Slow food (look for the symbol of the snail) is starting to make in-roads into the United States. Participating member restaurants want people to know that they will not serve you a reheated hamburger and fries in two minutes or less. Your meal will take more time, but it will

be healthier and I believe a lot

more satisfying.

So, this summer, consider visiting your local Maine farmers’ market. Get to know who could be producing your food. If your kitchen is currently a drive through window, your children’s will likely be one too. If we all start to take more time and make food a more important part of our lives, we may all benefit from improved nutrition, possibly reduced health care costs, and likely from improved family time. In the words of our past president, we should do it “because it’s the right thing to do.”

John Jemison is a University of Maine Extension Water Quality and Soil specialist.