Matthew Nadu

In a time when our food systems are collapsing and American health is declining at an alarming rate, a transformative solution emerges: growing our own food. Whether at home or through localized food forests, cultivating our own fruits and vegetables may be the key to reversing the damage caused by a chemical and preservative-laden food industry. As Robert F. Kennedy Jr. highlighted in his address on his recent Capitol Hill roundtable, “The same companies that are poisoning our food are the ones profiting from our sickness.”

This quote resonates deeply with the American health crisis. Our current food system, dominated by processed foods packed with preservatives, sugars, and chemicals, is leading to widespread health issues, including obesity, heart disease, autism, and even reproductive decline. Yet amidst this growing health catastrophe, a solution lies in our gardens and local communities through food forests—natural systems that mimic the abundance and diversity of Eden itself.

A Broken Food System: The Impact on American Health

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 40% of American adults are obese, and an alarming 18.5% of children are categorized as obese. These rates are driven largely by processed foods, which are high in sugars and preservatives. The average American consumes 17 teaspoons of added sugar daily, a staggering number that contributes to the epidemic of diet-related diseases like diabetes and heart disease.

Even more alarming is the disparity in food safety between the U.S. and other countries. Brands like Kellogg’s, which sell popular cereals, have been found to use harmful ingredients like artificial dyes and chemicals in their U.S. products, while their European versions omit these same additives due to stricter regulations. The food being sold to American consumers is not only stripped of nutrients but laced with harmful chemicals, exacerbating chronic health conditions.

As RFK Jr. stated, "We have a system where food is making us sick, and the pharmaceutical industry profits off the diseases caused by what we eat.” This relationship between food and health is a vicious cycle—processed food, contaminated by harmful chemicals, damages our bodies, while pharmaceutical companies benefit from the treatments needed to manage these chronic conditions.

The health epidemic extends beyond physical ailments. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), 1 in 5 adults in the U.S. experiences mental illness each year, and poor nutrition has been linked to increased rates of depression, anxiety, and cognitive decline. Dr. Mark Hyman, a leader in functional medicine, has said, “The food we eat is not just a source of calories but information for our bodies. It regulates our hormones, brain function, and even our mood.”

But it doesn’t have to be this way. The concept of “food as medicine” is gaining traction, reminding us of the wisdom found in Genesis 1:29: “I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.” This scripture points to a divine solution that has been with us all along—God’s pharmacy, found in nature’s bounty.

Food Forests: A Natural Remedy

Food forests provide a way to reclaim our health and the health of our land. By growing diverse, pesticide-free ecosystems, food forests not only nourish the body with nutrient-dense fruits, vegetables, and herbs, but also contribute to environmental health by rebuilding the soil and reducing the need for chemical fertilizers.

A food forest is a multi-layered, self-sustaining ecosystem that mimics a natural forest. It incorporates trees, shrubs, ground cover, and perennial plants that work together to regenerate the soil and produce food year after year. These systems localize food production, reducing the dependence on globalized food supply chains. This means knowing exactly where your food comes from, ensuring freshness, and reducing exposure to harmful chemicals commonly used in industrial agriculture.

With food forests, we can cultivate fruits like soursop, a tropical fruit known for its incredible health benefits. Soursop is rich in antioxidants, boosts the immune system, and has been studied for its potential cancer-fighting properties. Other exotic fruits like papaya, moringa, and guava are packed with vitamins and minerals that help reduce the risk of chronic diseases like cancer, high blood pressure, and heart disease.

Numerous studies show that consuming a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables can reduce the risk of chronic diseases. For instance:

• Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, kale, and Brussels sprouts contain compounds that reduce the risk of certain cancers.
• Berries such as blueberries and strawberries are rich in antioxidants, which help lower blood pressure and fight inflammation.
• Leafy greens like spinach and arugula are packed with fiber, vitamins, and minerals that support heart health.
• Citrus fruits provide high levels of Vitamin C, which boosts the immune system and aids in the repair of bodily tissues.
• 
  

Food forests offer a practical solution to increasing access to these health-boosting foods. By creating diverse systems that include perennial fruits, vegetables, and medicinal herbs, food forests serve as sustainable pharmacies—nurturing both the body and soul.

The Threat of Processed Foods and Sugar Intake

The American diet is drowning in sugar and processed foods, and the health impacts are devastating. According to the American Heart Association, most American adults consume more than double the recommended amount of added sugars, leading to a rise in obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. For children, the consequences are even more troubling. Autism rates have risen drastically in recent years, with some researchers pointing to the correlation between processed food intake and developmental disorders.

In addition, there is a growing concern about reproductive health. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) has reported that pesticide residues found on common produce are linked to lower fertility rates and hormone disruption. This health crisis is accelerating, and we must seek solutions that offer real, long-term benefits.

As Dr. Mark Hyman noted during the roundtable, “Our food system is perfectly designed to produce poor health, and it's time we change the design.”

The Food Forest: Our New Pharmacy

Just as God provided a perfect garden for Adam and Eve in Eden, He provides the blueprint for our healing today. Food forests, with their abundance of fruits, vegetables, and herbs, offer a holistic approach to health, rooted in God’s creation. These forests serve as natural pharmacies, addressing chronic health problems that are rampant in modern society.

Consider this: food forests can be established in our backyards, schools, churches, and communities, allowing individuals to reclaim their health while reducing dependency on the industrial food system. Imagine a world where we walk into our gardens to pick fresh fruits like avocados, citrus, and papayas, or herbs like rosemary and mint for medicinal teas. This vision is not only possible—it’s necessary.

Stewardship, Not Exploitation

As men and women of faith, we are called to be stewards of the land, not to exploit it. Our role, as described in Genesis 2:15, is to “work the land and take care of it.” Yet, modern agricultural practices have raided the earth of its resources, degrading the soil, polluting the air and water, and leaving us with nutrient-deficient foods that harm our health. We must return to our God-given responsibility to care for creation.

This is not a political issue—it is a human issue that affects all of us. Regardless of party or background, everyone relies on food to survive, yet very few politicians seem to be addressing the root causes of our health crisis. By taking matters into our own hands and cultivating food forests, we can break free from a system that prioritizes profit over well-being and instead create a future that nourishes our bodies, minds, and spirits.

Solution-Focused: A Call to Action

The health crisis in America is urgent, but there is a way forward. We can take back control of our health by growing food forests—reclaiming our birthright to eat real, nutritious food. As RFK Jr. concluded, “We need to move away from these systems that poison us and back to sustainable practices that heal both the earth and our bodies.”

Food forests offer a sustainable, regenerative alternative to our failing food system. By returning to the land and embracing God’s design, we can restore our health and the health of our planet. If you’re ready to be part of this transformation, start with your own backyard—plant a food forest, grow your own medicine, and live as stewards of the land.

At Bring Back Eden, we are passionate about creating food forests across Florida that will nourish communities and restore health. Contact us today to learn how we can help you plant a future filled with abundance, health, and connection to God’s creation.

Key Takeaways:

• Sugar Intake: The average American consumes 17 teaspoons of added sugar daily, contributing to widespread health issues like obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.
• Obesity and Children: Over 18% of children in the U.S. are obese, and processed food consumption is directly linked to developmental and reproductive health issues.
• Topsoil Loss: The U.S. is losing topsoil at an alarming rate, leading to lower nutrient density in food and further exacerbating the health crisis.
• Food Deserts in Florida: More than 2.5 million Floridians live in food deserts, limiting their access to fresh, nutritious food.

Food forests are a key solution to these issues, offering a way to grow healthy, chemical-free food while healing our bodies and the land. As Proverbs 12:11 reminds us, “He who works his land will have abundant food.” Let’s take the steps to restore Eden and bring health back to our communities, one food forest at a time.

By growing food forests, we embrace our role as stewards of God's creation, providing for our families, our communities, and ultimately restoring the connection between the land and our health. In a world where processed food and environmental degradation are the norm, food forests are a radical and necessary step toward reversing the damage and creating a future of abundance.

Join us at Bring Back Eden as we plant seeds for a healthier tomorrow—spiritually, physically, and environmentally. Let's heal ourselves and the planet, one tree, one garden, and one food forest at a time. Together, we can cultivate a new Eden subtropical states like Florida.

The health of our nation is at a critical juncture, and our food systems are failing us. From the rise in chronic diseases to the alarming rates of obesity and developmental disorders in children, the evidence is clear: the food we consume plays a fundamental role in our well-being. Localizing our food systems through food forests provides a tangible, regenerative solution that is not only sustainable but essential for healing our bodies, our communities, and our planet.

As men and women of faith, we have a responsibility to be stewards of the earth. By planting food forests, we honor that responsibility while also addressing the urgent health and environmental crises we face. The time to act is now—let's restore health, reclaim our food, and reconnect with God's creation.

At Bring Back Eden, we are committed to helping Florida residents transform their land into thriving, abundant food forests. Contact us to learn more about how we can help you cultivate a landscape that heals both body and soul.