Explore the significance of fruits and vegetables in ancient Greece and their relevance to our modern society. Discover how these ancient wisdom can address issues of access to healthy foods and medicine.

The Ancient Wisdom of Fruits and Vegetables

( Credit to: Badgerherald )

In her research titled "Fruit for the God(-desses): Re-evaluating Vegetal Representations in Sacrifice and Offerings in Greek Sanctuaries (8th-1st Centuries BCE)," Andrea Samz-Pustol sheds light on the significance of fruits, such as pomegranates and quinces, in Greek sanctuaries. She also explores how their ancient symbolism can be applied in our contemporary world.

( Credit to: Badgerherald )

Samz-Pustol, who graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a BA in Classics and Art History, has returned to her alma mater after completing her Classics MA from the University of Kansas. Currently working as the assistant director of the Constellations Program and teaching in the classical and near eastern department, she is also pursuing her PhD in classical and near eastern archaeology at Bryn Mawr College.

Fruits and Vegetables in Ancient Greece

Inspired by her experiences in Greece, her love for food festivals, and her upbringing on a farm in Wisconsin, Samz-Pustol's research was sparked by the discovery of a fruit plate artifact at a museum associated with her site work in Sicily and Martina. This discovery led her to question the lack of research surrounding fruits and vegetables in the ancient world.

One aspect of her research that Samz-Pustol highlights is the role of fruit in relation to medicine, women, and low-income populations in ancient Greece, which holds relevance for our modern-day society. She draws attention to the issue of access to healthy foods and medicine.

Ancient Wisdom for Modern Society

Samz-Pustol suggests that, in ancient Greece, fruits were readily available to people across various socio-economic classes, including marginalized and low-income populations, as they were affordable. However, in the Western world, particularly in the US, fruits and vegetables tend to be expensive and inaccessible to many.

Interestingly, ancient Hippocratic texts indicate that food was used as medicine, a concept that modern-day researchers are now exploring. Scientific studies have revealed the health benefits of fruits and vegetables, such as their potential to mitigate the risk of high blood pressure, diabetes, and cardiovascular disorders.

In response to these findings, produce prescription programs have emerged, where fruits and vegetables are prescribed alongside medication. The American Heart Association's research has shown that participating in these programs leads to improvements in vegetable intake, food insecurity, glycated hemoglobin, and high blood pressure. In Madison, the Wholesome Wave Program partnered with the Willy Street Co-Op in 2017 to offer prescriptions of fruits and vegetables to low-income populations. Unfortunately, this program is no longer running due to a lack of funding.

Samz-Pustol notes that currently, there are no similar programs in Madison. However, she suggests that the University of Wisconsin can play a role in reviving or drawing inspiration from such initiatives. As a low-income student and first-generation American, Samz-Pustol values the idea of contributing to the well-being of the wider population, which aligns with the Wisconsin Idea.

Reviving Ancient Wisdom: The Wisconsin Idea

The Wisconsin Idea, a core belief of the university, emphasizes that education should extend beyond the boundaries of the classroom and positively impact people's lives. Samz-Pustol's commitment to this principle led to the creation of the First Generation Low-Income Federation, an organization she co-founded within the society for classical studies. This organization aims to support first-generation low-income undergraduate students, graduate students, and professors working in the field of ancient Mediterranean studies.

In conclusion, Andrea Samz-Pustol's research on the role of fruits and vegetables in ancient Greece offers valuable insights for our modern society. By reconsidering the ancient wisdom of using fruits and vegetables as medicine and addressing issues of access to healthy foods, we can strive towards a healthier and more equitable future. The Wisconsin Idea provides a framework for universities like UW to contribute to the well-being of communities beyond their campuses, ensuring that education has a tangible impact on society as a whole.