It seems we have moved beyond mere concern about our food to judging the soul of food—and those who consume it. What is the soul of food? For me, the soul of food has everything to do with beautiful black and white Holsteins gracing my front yard and neighborhood.

The soul of food is about the people who painstakingly care for the land and animals so that you can eat. The soul of food is about the memories made around my dining room table with my family and friends. The soul of food is likely different to you.

Food perspective varies based upon your position around the proverbial plate. Farmers come off as defensive when they refuse to acknowledge that questions have merit and there are other experts in the discussion. They see food as what they do every day and don’t understand why there are so many questions. Scientists look to facts; chefs look at the soul of food as how it will add flavor to their creation; dietitians consider health implications; and parents look the convenience, cost, and “feel-good” factor. One perspective is not more superior than the other.

 We will never all agree on the right kind of food or farming style. However, it is time for us to stop the judgment on food. Food judgment and food elitists should not trump realism in the soul of food.

 In other words, don’t let “judgment on food soul” overcome “soul of food.” Your choices differ from mine. A single mom trying to make ends meet has different wants than a Whole Foods follower. A dietitian concerned with a balanced diet has different food priorities than a middle-aged man looking for comfort food.

I don’t believe any of those people have a more superior food soul. A Super Bowl ad does not make the soul of food, a celebrity sensationalizing food claims does not make the soul of food, the words on a label do not make the soul of food, nor does a fad diet. All are what I call food soul judgments. All lead to food elitism and, consequently, food shaming.

 In reality, the soul of food today is largely the same as it was 50 years ago. Food is, in fact, safer—but I recognize facts don’t create the perceived soul of food. If you have a romanticized view of small family farms with crops raised by hand and animals lovingly running free while eating green grass, you may be surprised by the reality of farming with animals in mud, sweating it out while pulling weeds from crops, and trying to eek a living out of the land.

 We’ve allowed individual judgment of food to dictate the soul of food over the last decade. Food is not a religion, nor should a tribe be dictating what is right for your family. The soul of my food is no different from the soul of your food.

What matters is how food nourishes a family.

Read more at  Food Truths to Farm to Table and take a trip around the grocery store to be armed with 25 truths you urgently need to know about food so you can shop without guilt, confusion, or judgment. Learn the truths so you can recognize marketing and move on. A new book, Food Bullying, is expected late 2019.