As Jamie Oliver wraps up filming 'Food Revolution,' a show that promotes healthy eating, hospital donates $80,000 to fund assessment and overhaul of menus of West Virginia county's 28 public schools. Hospital also donates $50,000 to keep chef's teaching kitchen open. And: Naked Chef isn't a diet cop; he's about scratch cooking, which means avoiding processed and fast food, learning pride of ownership, encouraging sparks of creativity and finding reasons to gather family and friends in one place (click 'See also').

By Veronica Nett

The Charleston Gazette (WV) 2009-11-21

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Start-up says health care reform begins on the plate

Start-up with backing from Groupe Danone undertakes health care reform by using a simple, low-tech premise: Eat healthier food to become healthier. Idea is to help companies move employees to better diets that, the logic goes, will reduce medical needs, thus cutting costs. Food is cheapest, simplest, most pleasurable way to deal with health, says head of Full Yield. Study shows that 75 percent of country's $2.5 trillion in health care spending addresses increasingly prevalent chronic diseases: obesity, Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, cancer.

By Melanie Warner

The New York Times 2009-11-29

Cafeteria layout, design, food placement guide pupils' choices

Replacing snacks with fresh fruit near cash register, offering children choice between two vegetables rather than simply requiring carrots, and accepting only cash for dessert changed buying patterns at school lunch, researchers learn. And: Items displayed prominently, at eye level, or first in line tend to be chosen more often than other items (click 'See also'). Compared with students with unrestricted food debit cards, those using cards that restricted choices to more healthful items ate significantly less added sugar, total fat, saturated fat, and caffeine and consumed fewer calories.

By Jane Black

The Washington Post 2009-11-06

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Debate on future of food, ending hunger pits opposing camps

Farming by nature or by laser beam and petri dish are two extremes in increasingly acrimonious debate over future of food. Everybody wants to end hunger, but details of how pit environmentalists against anti-poverty campaigners, big business against consumers, rich countries against poor. One of fiercest debates is relative importance of science versus social and economic reforms to empower small farmers to grow more with existing technology. Mexico, cradle of corn, is home to 10,000-plus varieties, but issued permits in October for farmers to grow genetically modified corn; it had been smuggled in for some time.

By Claudia Parsons, Russell Blinch and Svetlana Kovalyova

Reuters 2009-11-09

Environmental sleuths take to air on hunt for chicken litter

Network of volunteer pilots, sleuths on aerial hunt for chicken litter around Chesapeake Bay as EPA steps up enforcement, targets concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs). Livestock operations generate about 500 million tons of manure annually. Waste can contaminate water, depleting oxygen, killing fish, and sometimes harbors e.coli. And: In trial against poultry industry, state of Oklahoma says since companies own birds from hatching to slaughterhouse, they also own their manure; Tyson, Cargill, other companies argue waste is responsibility of contract growers (click 'See also').

By Lauren Etter

The Wall Street Journal. (may require subscription) 2009-11-03

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Opinion: Health care new battlefront for more food industry rules

Nevil C. Speer

Agriculture under siege from unrelenting campaign bent on denigrating our mission to feed the world; new front of battle is personal and global connotations (or lack thereof) for all types of food - McDonald's hamburgers, bean sprouts - and/or production systems. Anti-agriculture activists, food police potentially have new venue - health care - for uniting; convergence enables them to leverage ideology, impose new regulation. Agriculture, entire food industry has as much, if not more, stake in this debate than any other industry. We better get with it.

By Nevil C. Speer

Cattle Network 2009-11-04

Opinion: Bigger - not boutique - farms often better deal for workers

For workers, big farms are far more appealing than mom-and-pop operations - they are more likely to provide full-time jobs with better benefits, offer longer gigs, and working conditions are more regimented. Larger enterprises also hire more of their work force directly, rather than through farm labor contractors. Smaller growers have smaller economies of scale with smaller budget; keeping prices competitive means finding creative ways to keep costs low. Farmers may not be able to control price of land, seeds, and equipment, but they can squeeze what they pay for labor.

By Tracie McMillan

Slate 2009-11-02

Opinion: Political pushback shows food movement making progress

In column, Marion Nestle, nutrition and public policy expert, says that pushback after Rome speech advocating food system that promotes better health, more sustainable agricultural production is evidence that food movement is making progress. Same goes for Michael Pollan, whose book, 'The Omnivore's Dilemma,' is high on campus reading lists. Agricultural interests (click 'See also' to read exchange of letters) twice this fall attempted to force universities to cancel speaking invitations.

By Marion Nestle

San Francisco Chronicle 2009-11-01

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Opinion: Defeat Issue 2, Ohio's flawed response to proposed livestock cage ban

Issue 2, with its notion of industry-dominated council supposedly regulating treatment of farm animals, is poor public policy, and should be defeated. Ohio Constitution should never be used to promote interests of specific individuals, businesses, or industries. Reasonable approach is to work out compromise in state law that would protect both farmers and farm animals. And: What's not needed is radical change, written into state Constitution either by farm lobby or by animal-rights groups unconcerned whether they end up driving farmers out of business (click 'See also').

The editors

The Toledo Blade 2009-10-28

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Opinion: We have two choices - cheap meat or health

Factory farming of animals is chief cause of global warming, animal suffering, a decisive factor in diseases like bird and swine flu, cause of food-borne illness. Beyond illnesses linked to them, factory farms foster growth of drug-resistant germs, contribute to risk of pandemics like H1N1 swine flu, avian flu. Factory farm industry has more power than public health professionals because we fund industry by eating factory-farmed animal products. Perhaps, in deafening silence about this problem, we understand that something terribly wrong is happening. And: Factory farming's 335 million tons of manure annually hold infectious microbes that infiltrate air, soil, water, and are transported by houseflies, farm trucks, farm workers (click 'See also').

By Jonathan Safran Foer

CNN 2009-10-28

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In switch, warehouse chain agrees to accept food stamps

In policy switch, Costco decides to accept food stamps at all its stores. Decision comes several months after country's third-largest retailer began food-stamp test at stores in Queens and Brooklyn. At least half its roughly 410 U.S. stores will accept stamps by Thanksgiving. And: U.S. unemployment rate is 9.5 percent (click 'See also').

By Melissa Allison

The Seattle Times 2009-10-27

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Local food movement lures politically aware 20-somethings

Growing pool of young, educated, politically motivated workers drawn to farming as national interest grows in local food, small-scale farms that embrace humane and eco-friendly practices. Farmer likes hiring college students because over season they can see food through from seed to farmers' market. For one 20-something, farming experience has provided greater appreciation for food he cooks at restaurant job: 'I really try to make vegetables a feature of the dish. Not just something to put on the plate to fill up space.' And: Read a blog about working on a farm (click 'See also').

By Mara Lee

The Washington Post 2009-10-25

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Sweden targets food in CO2 cutback plan; burger cravers cringe

In Sweden, new labels listing CO2 emissions associated with production of foods appearing on some grocery items and restaurant menus - and inducing guilt in customers craving burgers. About 25 percent of emissions produced by people in industrialized nations can be traced to food they eat, research shows. Among recommendations, which give equal weight to health, environment: Eat carrots because they don't need heated greenhouses to grow; reduce fish consumption since stocks are depleted.

By Elisabeth Rosenthal

The New York Times 2009-10-23

Wrongful death award looks past anti-immigrant sentiment

After Archer Daniels Midland offers $500,000, and later, $1 million to settle after death of worker in steam explosion at its Illinois BioProducts plant, lawyer takes a chance on trial despite anti-immigrant sentiment. Jury awards family $6.7 million to family, which lives in Mexico (click 'See also'). Since 1995, nine people have died at company's Decatur sites. Latinos have highest workplace death rate of any ethnicity because they tend to work in dangerous professions - meatpacking, forestry, construction. Union official says judgment sends message that workers' rights should be respected.

By Kari Lydersen

The Washington Post 2009-10-11

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Two-month operation nets moonshine, misdemeanor charges

North Carolina agents seize 926 gallons of moonshine worth about $35 a gallon, charge resident with several misdemeanors after two-month surveillance operation. If found guilty, suspect could be liable for taxes. Moonshine was mostly in glass quart jars, but part of it was in 20-liter plastic containers; most jars also contained peaches, strawberries or other fruit. And: Virginia's anti-moonshine unit a victim of budget cuts (click 'See also'), just as reports of stills slightly increase. Much of whiskey unit's work involved staking out stills in hopes that operator would show up. Virginia moonshine costs about $20 a gallon.

By Jule Hubbard

Wilkes Journal-Patriot (NC) 2009-10-08

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Alfalfa, sugar beet rulings signal new U.S. view of GM crops

Farmers who shun genetically modified crops find hope in recent alfalfa and sugar beet rulings (click 'See also') criticizing regulators who ignored potential economic impact of GM crop cross-pollination on organic, other farmers. Lawsuits have prompted first environmental impact statement ever for a GM crop, due in 2009. Though U.S. has passed no legislation on GM crops, 95 percent of U.S. sugar beet crop, which supplies about half the nation's sugar, now engineered. Eighty-five percent of corn crop genetically modified, and, as high-fructose corn syrup, is throughout food system. Some 90 percent of soy, cotton crops include genes from Monsanto Co., Dow Chemical, DuPont.

By Paul Voosen

Greenwire/The New York Times 2009-10-08

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Leftovers from concerts, games now go to feed hungry

Attempt to secure food donations for shelter in Queens blossoms into bounty of leftovers from sporting events, rock concerts, political gatherings, film shoots, television tapings. 'Food should not go to a landfill if there's one hungry person,' says Syd Mandelbaum, founder of Rock and Wrap It Up, an anti-poverty think tank (click 'See also'). Effort has been endorsed by EPA, which appreciates reclamation. Americans waste estimated 95 billion pounds of food per year.

By Judy Peet

The Star-Ledger (NJ) 2009-09-27

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Some schools embrace buy-local movement but others left behind

youtube

Click 'See also' for video of students pleading for better school food.

Buy-local trend, which has popularized farmers' markets, farm harvest subscriptions reaches some school lunch programs. Farm to school initiative started at a few schools in California, Florida, North Carolina in late 1990s; USDA says 2,000-plus such programs are active in about 40 states. Programs bring fresh produce into schools, gives local small-farm owners chance to break into new market, and lets students meet farmers who visit schools and explain their work. And: San Francisco students make video pleading for better school food (click 'See also').

By Jenna Johnson

The Washington Post 2009-09-24

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At some schools, green is the new cool at lunch, in class, in garden

Some Philadelphia schoolchildren measure coolness by green quotient of their lunches - reusable sandwich wraps and water bottles, recycled lunch boxes, cloth napkins. Science teachers encourage 'waste-free Wednesdays;' in environmental science classes, students compost food scraps, fertilize the herb garden that then is used for the school kitchen, thus reducing pesticides that run into nearby Wissahickon Creek, which feeds into water supply of their city.

By Meredith Broussard

The Philadelphia Inquirer 2009-09-24

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Firms begin disclosing emissions, business protection plans

As climate change begins to materialize and regulation seems likely, companies take steps toward disclosing extent to which they're contributing to global warming and how they're protecting their business. At Starbucks, customers and workers are eyeing its practices and policy from environmental perspective, which sensitizes company. Investor group wants companies' climate-change risks required as part of regular financial disclosures. And: Most food system power sources mum on climate change costs (click 'See also').

By Juliet Eilperin

The Washington Post 2009-09-21

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Tipping point on farmed vs wild-caught fish seen for 2009

Sometime this year, half the fish, shellfish we eat will be farmed, not wild caught. Tipping point is reshaping oceans, livelihoods, diets. Environmental challenges include need to feed many small fish to bigger fish that consumers crave. Up to one-third of global catch goes to produce fish oil, fish meal that fish, poultry and pig-farming operations demand, which depletes stocks of forage fish - anchovies, sardines and menhaden, plus krill, food for penguins, whales (click 'See also') - a link expert says must be broken. Farmed fish might have eaten unused poultry trimmings, been vaccinated, consumed antibiotics or been selected for certain genetic traits.

By Juliet Eilperin

The Washington Post 2009-09-20

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Soda tax gains traction as health care funding source

Prominent doctors, scientists, policy makers say soda tax could be powerful weapon in reducing obesity, as cigarette taxes help curb smoking. Tax of penny per ounce on soft drinks, energy drinks, sports beverages, many juices and iced teas would raise $14.9 billion in its first year. Soda research shows that for every 10 percent rise in price, consumption falls 8 to 10 percent. Expert says tax is justified in part because obesity, diabetes often treated with public funds through Medicaid, Medicare.

By William Neuman

The New York TImes 2009-09-16

Enlightened self interest fuels responsibility revolution

New spending patterns herald rise of the enlightened citizen consumer - and beginnings of responsibility revolution. In U.S., poll shows 6 in 10 have bought organic produce since January, 82 percent supported local businesses, nearly 40 percent bought something because they liked values of company. Companies have adjusted - Mars and Cadbury plan to increase amount of cacao harvested from sustainable sources because it is good for environment and will relieve potential shortages. In turn, social responsibility attracts investment capital and customer loyalty, creating a virtuous circle.

By Richard Stengel

Time magazine 2009-09-10

FDA OKs nutrient-rich baobab fruit as ingredient

Beverly Joubert/National Geographic

Baobab fruit - with tart flavor between grapefruit, pear and vanilla; and rich vitamin, mineral, antioxidant content - OK'd by FDA as ingredient. Adansonia digitata, or 'upside-down' tree, grows primarily in Africa, is touted as natural, sustainable, fair trade option. And: In Africa, tree leaves are eaten as a vegetable, and the seeds can be eaten raw or roasted, or ground to make an edible oil and thickener for soups and stews (click 'See also'). Fruit can be peeled, sliced and cooked, or roasted, mashed or pureed.

By Rod Addy

nutraingredients.com/Decision News Media 2009-09-11

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Japanese farmers take a stand for peace with rice fields

Lush green rice fields within and around Hyakuri Airfield mark farmers' protest against Japanese military, contrast with screaming jets overhead. Turf battle began in 1950s, after military re-took farmland after farmers had already reclaimed their land after World War II. Government has offered money, but farmers won't sell.

By John M. Glionna

Los Angeles Times 2009-09-10

Startups look to link farmers with local markets, clients

FarmsReach, other startups hope to use high-tech to remake food system so it links local, small farms with clients who default to ease, reliability of big suppliers. Information flow could be hidden lever that changes food system, experts say.

By Alexis Madrigal

Wired Science 2009-05-01

Non-biotech labeling effort garners major players

Founder of Eden Foods leads campaign to test products and label those with no more than 0.9 percent of biotech ingredients (click 'See also'). Non-GMO Project includes Whole Foods Market, other major players. This year, 85 percent of corn, 85 percent of canola, 91 percent of soybean acreage have genetic modifications; majority of processed foods contain ingredients derived from these crops, including oils, corn syrup, corn starch, soy lecithin. Newest GMO crop is Monsanto sugar beets; with this year's crop, close to half of nation's sugar will come from GMO plants. Wheat is next.

By William Neuman

The New York Times 2009-08-28

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Diet, not exercise, more effective in weight loss efforts

It's what you eat, not how hard you try to work it off, that matters more in losing weight, researchers discovering. In addition to enhancing heart health and helping prevent disease, exercise improves mental health, cognitive ability. Many obesity researchers now believe that very frequent, low-level physical activity may work better than occasional bouts of exercise as a gym rat, especially if reward for hard workout is perfectly salted, golden-brown French fries.

By John Cloud

Time magazine 2009-08-09

Opinion: Questions of cost, scale unanswered by food activists and film

For food activists, 'Food, Inc.,' is attempt to shake Americans out of complacency that has spawned diet-related disease epidemic, preponderance of factory farms, a rise in food-borne illness and antibiotic resistance, corporate takeover of the country's food production. But neither film nor movement adequately addresses questions of costs of switching to more conscientious model, and scale, to feed the world. Without answers, activists will vindicate critics who argue that new era of food production is only for privileged. And: UN says we need a farming revolution (click 'See also').

By Rebecca Ruiz

Forbes magazine 2009-06-11

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Solving U.S. food crisis begins with awakening the public

Industrial food system is based on selective forgetting and hidden costs: erosion of farmland, dead zones in the Gulf of Mexico, cages for egg-laying chickens so packed that birds can't raise their wings, rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria among farm animals, acceleration of global warming, lapses in food safety, obesity epidemic that cost us extra $147 billion in doctor bills last year, the $50 billion-plus of taxpayer money poured into corn industry in last 10 years that makes fatty, sugary foods cheap and funds factory-farming of meat. With those price supports, a dollar buys 875 calories of soda, 250 calories of vegetables or 170 calories of fresh fruit. Consequences of food choices can no longer be ignored.

By Bryan Walsh

Time magazine 2009-08-20

Analysis: Improving Energy Star ratings for appliance efficiency

Energy Star/Energy Guide program for rating energy efficiency of appliances is inaccurate, unreliable and oversimplified, with manufacturers' claims left unverified. More helpful is EU version. A dishwasher there, for example, is rated on total energy and water consumption, cleaning performance, drying performance, size and noise. At a glance, shopper gets sense of how this dishwasher stacks up against others. And: Energy Star loopholes create skewed ratings (click 'See also').

By Harry Sawyers

Popular Mechanics 2009-08-13

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Physician forced out after disparaging doughnut chain's product

Florida health department physician fighting 'controversial' one-man war against obesity resigns under fire after county commissioner and lawyers who own doughnut stores take offense at signs that parody its slogan - 'America Runs on Dunkin.'' He is reapplying for his job. In 2007, 39 percent of all adults were overweight; one in four was considered obese in his Gulf Coast area of practice.

By Melissa Nelson

The Associated Press; Houston Chronicle (TX) 2009-08-13

Mountaintop removal battle tests Obama's clean energy vow

Battle over mountaintop removal coal mining will test Barack Obama, who vowed clean energy economy but in May oversaw EPA's OK of 42 permits for mining method that devastates landscapes, uproots hundreds of communities. Peak shearing of up to 1,000 feet buries streams, damages water systems. It deposits selenium, which can cause reproductive ills in humans and is deforming fish, downstream from mine fill sites. Meanwhile, Senate takes up bill (click 'See also') to prohibit mining companies from dumping debris in streams. Almost half of America's electricity is coal-powered.

By Suzanne Goldenberg

The Guardian (UK) 2009-08-04

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Opinion: Obesity epidemic demands prime-time address, slice in subsidies

When a quarter of your population has diabetes or is at risk, that screams for prime-time address. Obama has made no dent in farm subsidies that help agribusiness overproduce worthless calories, help Coke, Pepsi, McDonalds rank among most profitable companies for trash food and drinks. Capitol Hill must cut fat of subsidies, impose taxes on trash food producers, support cities and suburbs in redesigning streets, parks to support people who want to cycle or go out for a run and children who want to play outside.

By Derrick Z. Jackson

The Boston Globe 2009-08-01

In scramble for funds, Illinois taxes candy, soda - with exceptions

In scramble for funds, Illinois demotes candy, soft drinks from tax-free food group. But lawmakers carved gaping exception - sweets containing flour (Twizzlers, Butterfinger Stixx) aren't legally deemed to be candy. Critic says tax logic is becoming increasingly inconsistent - in New York, Ovaltine gets sales-tax exemption but not Tang. Iowa officials were forced by public protests to rescind decision that exempted pumpkins sold for pies but not those sold for jack-o'-lanterns. And: Test your knowledge of what USDA considers junk food in schools (click 'See also').

By Ameet Sachdev and Bob Secter

Chicago Tribune 2009-08-02

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Feds send different signals on GM alfalfa, sugar beets

Judge bans Monsanto's genetically modified Roundup Ready alfalfa until scientific assessment can show that new crop doesn't harm environment, but Obama administration has said it intends to continue Bush-era policies on GM sugar beets despite similar suit against them. Monsanto charges ahead on GM wheat, buying WestBred, a wheat genetics company. And: Sugar from genetically modified beets - like all other GM foods - isn't labeled; during approval process, EPA OK'd increase of glyphosate residues allowed on sugar beets by 5,000 percent. (click 'See also').

By Barry Estabrook

Gourmet.com/Politics of the Plate 2009-07-24

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Finding parallels in strategy of food industry, Big Tobacco

As diet-related disease epidemic continues, food industry strategy following page from Big Tobacco's playbook: Focus on personal responsibility as cause of nation's unhealthy diet, raise fears that government action usurps personal freedom, vilify critics with totalitarian language, criticize studies that hurt industry as 'junk science,' emphasize physical activity over diet, say there are no good or bad foods, and plant doubt when concerns are raised about industry.

By Kelly D. Brownell and Kenneth E. Warner

Milbank Quarterly 2009-03-01

First Lady, staff focusing on children's food issues

Challenge for Michelle Obama and staff is to craft strategy that uses her clout to make how we eat an integral part of national health-care debate. In September, during Congressional debate over funding for child nutrition programs including school meals, staffers say First Lady will continue to link personal to political by gardening and by cooking - and by eating with her family and with students.

By Jane Black

The Washington Post 2009-07-15

In quest for food safety, 'scorched earth' policy could affect farms nationwide

Panicked push for food safety leads to 'foolhardy' attempt to sanitize farm fields in California despite evidence suggesting industrial agriculture may be bigger culprit - and plan may go nationwide. To appease large produce buyers, farmers are poisoning ponds, ripping out vegetation harboring pollinators and filtering storm runoff. Fences and poison baits line wildlife corridors; dying rodents are leading to deaths of owls, hawks that naturally control rodents. Surprisingly little is known about how e.coli is transmitted from cow to table. And: Industry-generated food safety system no substitute for federal regulation, says food safety expert (click 'See also').

By Carolyn Lochhead

San Francisco Chronicle 2009-07-13

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Whole Foods will test private label foods for genetic modifications

Whole Foods says it plans to test its private label products for genetically engineered organisms and begin labeling before end of year. Nonprofit Non-GMO Project is designed to test whether a product has met defined standards for presence of genetically engineered or modified organisms. FDA says as much as 75 percent of processed food in U.S. may contain components from GM crops. And: GMO sugar beet farmer uses solar power to aid in lifting 210-pound kegs of Monsanto's weedkiller, Roundup (click 'See also').

Pacific Business News (bizjournals) 2009-07-07

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With food stamps stimulus, children taste cucumbers, farmers get paid

Increase in food stamp benefits ($80 a month for family of four) creates chain reaction. For every $5 of food-stamp spending, there is $9.20 of total economic activity, as grocers and farmers pay employees and suppliers, who in turn shop and pay their bills. With food-stamp boost, economic stimulus is almost immediate, with 80 percent of the benefits being redeemed within two weeks of receipt and 97 percent within a month, the USDA says. Nationwide, enrollment in program is up more than five million from March 2008.

By Roger Thurow and Timothy W. Martin

The Wall Street Journal. (may require subscription) 2009-07-07

USDA organic certification erodes as market share grows

USDA

As processed, packaged food makers increase market share of organics - now a $23 billion annual business - USDA bows to lobbying pressure, relaxes stringent standards to allow non-organic ingredients, additives, processing agents. National Organic Program, by not issuing growing, treatment, production standards, has created haphazard system that leaves private certifiers to set organic standards. And: USDA seeking replacement for Barbara Robinson, program's acting director (click 'See also').

By Kimberly Kindy and Lyndsey Layton

The Washington Post 2009-07-03

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Real source of obesity epidemic is federal corn subsidies

While one hand of federal government campaigns against obesity epidemic, the other hand subsidizes it by writing farmers a check for every bushel of corn they can grow - undermining public-health goals by loosing tide of cheap calories. Challenge is to rewrite those rules, to develop new set of agricultural policies that don't subsidize overproduction - and overeating. Unless we deal with mountain of cheap grain that makes Happy Meal and Double Stuf Oreo such 'bargains,' calories will keep coming.

By Michael Pollan

The New York Times 2003-10-12

Physicians, others ask Obama for anti-obesity commission

Group of physicians, health organizations, nutrition experts ask Obama to create presidential commission to fight obesity. Commission would stimulate, coordinate agencies involved in food and health policy. Obesity costs $95 billion annually in medical expenditures, half of which are paid through Medicare and Medicaid; obesity rates have increased by 50 percent in 20 years. And: Previous corn-based public health crisis was not obesity but alcoholism, in early 19th century (click 'See also').

Center for Science in the Public Interest 2009-06-24

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Penny-pinching food choices fuel obesity epidemic

Number of Americans considered obese jumps 1.7 percent - almost 5.5 million people - in last year. Between 2003 and 2006, CDC measured no real growth in American obesity levels. The obese were less likely to have access to food, shelter and health care. Researchers speculate that increased stress of recession, combined with cost of healthy fresh foods (as compared to processed food), to blame.

By Kate Dailey

Newsweek/The Human Condition 2009-06-01

Opinion: Losing ability to tax 'entertainment' edibles

Idea that junk foods (those high in salt, fat and empty carbohydrates but low in nutrients) can escape tax category of entertainment products like cigarettes or booze gives unfair tax and price advantage to non-nutritious edibles over real food. Joining feds' scheme that harmonizes provincial and federal sales taxes means Ontario is giving up a cost-neutral way to shift behavior toward healthier choices, lower medical expenses. 'Pseudo-foods' account for about 31 per cent of supermarket sales.

By Wayne Roberts

Now Magaine (Toronto) 2009-04-08

UK plans new low-carbon menus minus beef, lamb, tomatoes

Government advisers in UK shaping suggested menus without lamb, hothouse tomatoes, alcohol to cut greenhouse gas emissions. Growing, processing hops, malt to beer, whisky help to generate 1.5 percent of nation's greenhouse gases; producing 2.2 pounds of lamb releases equivalent of 37 pounds of CO2; same amount of beef releases methane equivalent to 35 pounds of CO2; same amount of hothouse tomatoes releases 20-plus pounds of CO2.

By Jonathan Leake

The Times (UK) 2009-05-24

Putting food on the table between poverty, destitution

In stations between poverty, destitution, rural poor turn increasingly to 'food auctions,' which offer items that may be past sell-by dates. Others supplement diet with urban hunting, shooting squirrels and rabbits and eating them stewed, baked and grilled; in Detroit, retired truck driver has brisk business in raccoon carcasses, which he recommends marinating with vinegar and spices.

By Barbara Ehrenreich

The New York Times 2009-06-14

Difficulty of diet changes hinders prevention as reform goal

Despite broad consensus that it's cheaper to keep people healthy than to treat them for disease, rewards often fail to match costs of widespread testing and monitoring people with chronic diseases. Obstacles: Much of money spent on disease prevention goes for healthy people, and taking up regular exercise or eating healthier food is difficult, expert says.

By Janet Adamy

The Wall Street Journal. (may require subscription) 2009-06-12

Industrial farming growing, dispersing drug-resistant pathogens

Kellogg Schwab/

Sampling the air for pathogens in a poultry house.

Adding antibiotics to farm animal feed is fostering, dispersing drug-resistant bacteria that imperil public health, researchers are learning. Chicken, cow, pig manure - 335 million tons annually - distributes pathogens through fertilizer and manure lagoons, where infectious microbes infiltrate air, soil, water, and are transported by houseflies, farm trucks, farm workers. Government requires no disclosure on microbial use in agriculture. In his 1945 Nobel Prize address, Alexander Fleming, who discovered penicillin, had warned of ease in making microbes resistant; Pork Board spokesperson isn't convinced.

By Dale Keiger

Johns Hopkins Magazine 2009-06-01

Senator vows advocacy for application-free lunch program

Instead of shutting down Philadelphia's Universal Feeding program for impoverished schools, Pennsylvania senator urges Obama to extend it to all cities, also vows to include the application-free lunch program in child-nutrition bill reauthorization. If that doesn't work, veteran lawmaker vows to use his power on senate agriculture panel to expand program.

By Alfred Lubrano

The Philadelphia Inquirer 2009-05-28

Two-for-one deal lures SNAP clients to farmers' markets

Needy families flock to farmers' market for program that doubles value of food stamps and fruit and vegetable coupons for low-income mothers, seniors. Goal, says organizer, is to show feds that matching works: 'A single dollar of stimulus impacts nutrition, helps farmers, stimulates the economy and provides a direct investment in reducing health-care costs.' Food stamps create $1.73 worth of economic activity for every dollar spent, study shows.

By Jane Black

The Washington Post 2009-05-27

Opinion: In recession, kitchen appliances lose to cellphones

In 'new frugality' of recession, many hit reset button on what they really need - microwaves, dishwashers no longer seen as necessities by survey respondents. Yet giving up, scaling back on cellphone talking, texting for adults, even children, is another matter.

By Michelle Singletary

The Washington Post 2009-05-21

Recession spurs garden plans, cutbacks on alcohol purchases

Nearly 25 percent of younger adults surveyed by Pew (click 'See also') say they plan to plant a 'recession garden' to cut their food bills, about double proportion of older adults who anticipate gardening to save money. Those under age 65 more than twice as likely as older adults to have cut down on spending on alcohol, cigarettes.

By Rich Morin and Paul Taylor

Pew Research Center 2009-05-14

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Under pressure, McDonald's to study alternative hen housing

Humane Society asks McDonald's shareholders to mandate phased-in use of eggs from cage-free hens, but fast-food giant tells them to reject resolution. Firm announces 2-year hen housing study - a delay, says Humane Society. Burger King, Hardee's, Quizno's, Carl's Jr., Denny's have agreed that up to 5 percent of egg purchases from U.S. suppliers will come from cage-free hens. And: Chain uses 3 billion eggs and 290 million chickens a year (click 'See also').

By Mike Hughlett

Chicago Tribune 2009-05-21

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Food on plate trumps cosmetics for beauty, studies show

Food more vital to beauty than cosmetics, studies show. Tops for skin: green tea, citrus fruits, pomegranate, spinach, collard greens, broccoli, romaine lettuce, egg yolks, wild salmon, walnuts, flax, canola oil, soybeans, sardines. For skin: bell peppers, whole grain cereals, peanut butter, avocado. For hair: spinach, broccoli, Swiss chard, legumes. For general health: canned light tuna, whole wheat pasta, lean beef, shrimp, turkey, brown rice. Save supplements for deficiencies, medical needs, says expert.

By Jodi Mailander Farrell

Mcclatchy-Tribune; Newsday 2009-05-18

Determined mother uncovers trail to polluted drinking water

After Illinois mother refuses to stop asking questions about her teenage son's leukemia during toddler time, state officials and newspaper learn that for 20-plus years, town frequently, secretly, turned valve to draw water from well polluted with dry-cleaning chemicals. State EPA shut well in December 2007, after testing water for first time in 20-plus years. Update: Federal agents raid Crestwood Village Hall, cart documents away for criminal investigation; senator asks feds to look for links between water, illnesses (click 'See also').

By Michael Hawthorne

Chicago Tribune 2009-04-19

See also

Opinion: Recession-related demise of organic foods greatly exaggerated

Contrary to gloomy headlines, organics market's growth merely slowed to rate of one percent a month, careful reading of Nielsen report shows. If that rate continues, organic sales will rise by 12 percent this year, though overall grocery sales are flat. Trade group reports that organic food sales grew by 15.8 percent in 2008.

By Barry Estabrook

Gourmet.com/Politics of the Plate 2009-05-07

Senate mulls soda 'sin tax' to fund health care reform

Senate leaders consider watchdog group's proposed tax on soda, some fruit drinks, energy drinks, sports drinks and ready-to-drink teas to help pay for health care reform. Proponents cite research linking consumption to diet-related disease, say tax would cut consumption, health problems, medical costs. Soda lobbyists say tax would hit lower-income Americans and wouldn't deter consumption. And: Amount of decline in smoking directly tied to size of state tax increase on cigarettes, analysis shows (click 'See also').

By Janet Adamy

The Wall Street Journal. (may require subscription) 2009-05-12

See also

Diet, lifestyle changes turn off disease-promoting genes, study shows

Major lifestyle changes, including eating diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes and soy products, plus moderate exercise, daily stress management, changed genes of cancer patients, Dean Ornish study shows. Activity of disease-preventing genes increased; disease-promoting genes, including those involved in prostate cancer, breast cancer, shut down. 'In just three months, I can change hundreds of my genes simply by changing what I eat and how I live?' Exciting, says researcher.

By Will Dunham

Reuters 2009-05-11

In Mexico, flu focuses complaints about Smithfield farms

Flu outbreak focuses complaints in poor neighborhoods near industrial pig farm owned by Smithfield subsidiary in Mexico. Overpowering stench, dogs feasting on pig carcasses, massive manure lagoons among neighbors' concerns. Conglomerate says it has funded reforestation, irrigation and has bought computer equipment for schools. It says it has built clinics and provides free medical care, and that Mexican health officials attribute persistent illness in area to temperature changes, malnutrition, unsafe drinking water.

By Steve Fainaru

The Washington Post 2009-05-10

Opinion: Making risky choice to reject culture of 'more'

In dramatic life change that seems risky but likely is safer bet, reporter quits job to simplify life, slow its pace, volunteer. She and fiance downsized house, will grow vegetables, preserve them and shop locally. 'We're going to see how little we can buy and how much we can reduce our use of electricity,' she writes.

By Emily Achenbaum

Chicago Tribune 2009-05-04

In Florida tomato fields, sustainability and social justice

Executives of food service company threaten Florida tomato growers with boycott unless wages, working conditions improve for pickers. But Bon Appetit buys only 5 million pounds of tomatoes - McDonald's buys about 20 million pounds a year and Subway buys even more. Workers' advocates worry that boycott could hurt farm laborers, who would lose their daily wage; one critic wonders about 'grandstanding.' And: In tomato capital of nation, modern-day slavery (click 'See also').

By Jane Black

The Washington Post 2009-04-29

See also

For Earth Day, a ban on high-emissions beef, cheese

Steven Schultz/thefoodtimes

For Earth Day, one-day ban of meat, cheese in college, corporate cafeterias raises awareness about effect of food choices on environment. There's a growing movement to cut carbon emissions by cutting back on certain foods; significant amount of greenhouse gas emissions are created by food industry. And: Meat production alone accounts for 18 percent of global emissions, UN says (click 'See also').

By David Gorn

National Public Radio/All Things Considered 2009-04-22

See also

Opinion: White House garden as revolutionary emissions reduction agent

Michelle Obama's garden and her message of eating fresh-picked food is truly subversive: Change America's eating habits, improve health, cut emissions, change the world. Globally, agricultural sector releases more greenhouse gases (click 'See also') in growing, transporting, meat production than any activity except for constructing, heating, cooling buildings. Food sector should be priority in talks before Copenhagen meeting, where next round of emissions cuts will be decided.

By Mark Hertsgaard

The Nation. 2009-04-20

See also

Opinion: Food marketing a slow-motion tragedy for our children

Obama and Congress should, with urgency second only to oncoming regulation of tobacco, enact emergency federal rules to ban trash-food marketing that is consuming our children. Federal nutrition programs are feeble whisper against trash food marketing; 44 top food/beverage companies in 2006 spent $1.6 billion in marketing mostly soda, fast food, and cereals to youths. Voluntary marketing limits are the wink of wolves.

By Derrick Z. Jackson

Boston Globe 2009-04-11

Health begins with good diets for families at home, nutritious school meals

For healthier America, help families follow healthy diets and feed children only nutritious foods in schools, says Robert Wood Johnson Foundation report. Other goals: Fully fund federal supplemental nutrition programs, and design them to meet needs with nutritious foods; create public-private partnerships to open grocery stores in urban, rural 'food deserts;' ensure early childhood education for all; give children K-12 half-hour recess.

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation 2009-04-02

Opinion: First Garden drives shovel into heart of American icon

With incredible, edible garden, Obamas aren't just eating the view, they are eating the lawn. At 40 million acres, lawns are largest agricultural sector in America. They consume 270 billion gallons of water a week, enough for 81 million acres of organic vegetables. We spend $40 billion a year on seed, sod, and chemicals for them; they are the populist enemy.

By Ellen Goodman

The Boston Globe 2009-03-27

After tuna sandwich tussle, fired worker fights for benefits

Fired for misconduct after setting aside one of 30 tuna sandwiches destined for trash at Whole Foods, former deli clerk fights for unemployment benefits - and wins. Legal services worker says they're seeing uptick in similar cases; nationally, in 66 percent of cases, employees win. In New York, as in other states, employers' unemployment insurance rates based on amount of benefits their former workers collect.

By Jennifer 8. Lee

The New York Times 2009-03-16

Obamas' 55-variety salute to organic gardening

Karla Cook/The Food Times

Black kale, also known as Tuscan, dinosaur or lacinato kale.

Obamas' raised bed garden will contain 55 varieties of vegetables, including cilantro, anise hyssop, Thai basil, tomatillos and hot peppers, arugula, spinach, chard, collards and black kale. Lettuces will include red romaine, green oak leaf, butterhead, red leaf, galactic. A White House carpenter who is a beekeeper will tend two hives for honey. Plots will be enriched with White House compost, Chesapeake Bay crab meal; ladybugs, praying mantises will help control pesky bugs. And: Sources for seeds (click 'See also').

By Marian Burros

The New York Times 2009-03-19

See also

Vegetable garden for White House lawn

Obama family will have vegetable garden on south lawn of White House. Though 16-acre complex is maintained by National Park Service, White House residence staff will handle garden chores. In April issue of O magazine, Michelle Obama says plot will be used as point of education, 'to talk about health and how delicious it is to eat fresh food.'

By Rick Klein

ABC News 2009-03-18

Recession brings well-heeled D.C. clients to nonprofit caterer

After doing good with nonprofit low-budget gourmet cooking school for down-and-out women in D.C., and nonprofit catering business that followed, recession hits and '60s child begins doing well as upscale clients call. And call. And call. Much of Through the Kitchen Door's revenue goes to pay people the company exists to help - poor immigrants, battered women, at-risk teens (click 'See also').

By Faye Fiore

Los Angeles Times 2009-03-01

See also

With farming, healing the soul, feeding community

Big Stock Photo

After watching for weapons in Iraq, vet oversees fields of greens - fennel, beets, chard and kale - as part of fledgling program (click 'See also'). Returning vets find healing, productive work on farm; communities feeding locavores benefit from help with food production. One vet cites home gardens, pomegranate orchards of Iraq as inspiration, fantasizes about returning as extension agent.

By Janet Fletcher

San Francisco Chronicle 2009-09-24

See also

Cadbury wants dairy cows on low-emission diet

Candy maker looks to reduce cow belching through diet; milk production blamed for 60 percent of chocolate's carbon emissions. Average cow emits (through mostly belching) between 80-120 kilograms methane annually, equivalent to carbon emissions of family car. And: Improving grassland diversity can provide better bovine diet (click 'See also').

By David Adam

The Guardian (UK) 2009-02-17

See also

Tracking water use as reserves are depleted, polluted

unep.org

Irrigated agriculture, rapid urbanization and industrial development stress water supplies, the UN says.

With two-thirds global population facing water scarcity by 2025, some firms track 'water footprints.' Hamburger takes 630 gallons; cup of coffee takes 35 gallons. Unilever now using drip irrigation to grow black tea in Tanzania for Lipton tea, tomatoes in California for Ragu tomato sauce. Unilever buys 12 percent of world's commercial black tea and 7 percent of world's tomatoes. And: Mapping water scarcity hot spots (click 'See also').

By Alexandra Alter

The Wall Street Journal. (may require subscription) 2009-02-17

See also

Anti-kebab cabal spreads in Italy

Big Stock Photo

Italian cities succumbing to campaign to kick out 'foreign' foods. Italian-only food drive, which leading chefs call gastronomic racism, began in Lucca but now has spread to Milan. Agriculture minister says he's never eaten a kebab and refuses to eat pineapple; councillor in Milan says kebab shop owners were ready to work long hours, which was unfair competition. French restaurants, says another official, will be allowed.

By Richard Owen

The Times Online 2009-01-31

Opinion: Consolidate FDA, USDA food-safety work?

Single food-safety agency debated as salmonella outbreak continues. Overhaul old laws in current system, says David Kessler, ex-head of FDA. Decentralize, revamp FDA and staff with real regulators, says James McWilliams, history professor. Single agency would develop transparent standards, coordinate response, says Jaydee Hanson, food policy analyst. Reinvent food system, with children's, planetary health first, says Ann Cooper, chef. Require more reporting, view food as homeland security, says Bill Marler, lawyer. Rename USDA to reflect priority of food, says Caroline Smith DeWaal, Center for Science in the Public Interest.

The editors

The New York Times 2009-02-08

Farming as strategy against Taliban in Afghanistan

In Afghanistan, Texas soldiers see path to victory through creation of wheat-seed farm superior to the 2,500 acres and subsistence plots controlled by Taliban. Project could free farmers from Taliban-approved suppliers and lousy products from Pakistan. And it's cheaper - farm project estimated at $7.5 million to $9 million; military assault, occupation and rehabilitation of Khajanoor Farms might cost $12 million to $18 million.

By Jim Landers

The Dallas Morning News 2009-02-01

Opinion: FDA fails us in oversight of food supply safety

FDA regulatory breakdowns are systemic, result of divided attention, lack of communication and executive branch support, understaffing. To make government work (click 'See also'), Obama must fix food safety. Move food monitoring to DHS; create Commissioner of Food and Nutrition Policy; add inspectors; give FDA authority to regulate industry, bestow harsher penalties.

By Caroline Smith DeWaal

Newsday 2009-02-01

See also

New USDA head backs school gardens, food policy councils - and all eaters

Tom Vilsack, new USDA head, says agency constituency extends past commercial farming to those who eat. He backs creation of school, urban community gardens, which link what children eat to knowing where it comes from; creating state food policy councils; and in nurturing market for organic and whole foods. First challenge: Improve Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, up for renewal.

By Jane Black

The Washington Post 2009-02-05

Hotel finds savings in food waste composting

Hotel separates food waste, benefits accrue: Less money spent on garbage removal, cheaper food waste hauling, and food waste becomes compost. Recycling advocates look for more waste generators to sign on with hotel to create 'wasteshed,' and also hope New Jersey county will create spot for recycling organic waste.

By Ryan Tracy

The Times (Trenton, NJ) 2009-02-04

New, frugal values fuel food trends

U.S. consumers returning to culture of responsibility due to economic crisis and new president, says food trends report. Savvy consumers want value - not shrinking packages, falsely-steady prices. They turn to coupons, staples like beans, rice. Demand will grow for natural sweeteners, fair trade and digestive health products. Recipe: Mixed Bean Chili and Rice (click 'See also')

By Caroline Scott-Thomas

nutraingredients.com/Decision News Media 2009-02-03

See also

Downturn leaves servers with dirty tables to clean

Growing number of restaurants eliminate busboy positions to cut costs. In many states, loophole allows restaurants to pay servers who earn tips less than minimum wage. Busboys stock ice bins, roll silverware into napkins, refill water glasses and deliver bread to tables; some servers have quit jobs over change.

By Janet Adamy

The Wall Street Journal. (may require subscription) 2009-01-27

Simple steps to cut food waste

Awareness of food prices, waste, may be silver lining of economic crisis. Americans throw out $100 billion of food annually. Food in landfills produces methane gas, more harmful to atmosphere than CO2. To cut waste: Plan meals, serve reasonable portions, compost, get whole family involved. And: Composting quick-start - indoors or out (click 'See also').

By Addie Broyles

The Miami Herald; The Austin American-Statesman 2009-01-22

See also

Military consults food scientists on exploding marmalade

BBC/Good Food

Army-funded rocket scientists ask food counterparts for help making rocket fuel. Gel fuel - think orange marmalade without rind - not as leak-prone as liquids. Food processing, agriculture experts understand how gels - marmalade, jam - behave when pumped through sophisticated machines. And: Good marmalade retains true flavor of fruit, says food judge (click 'See also').

By Lewis Page

The Register (UK) 2009-01-22

See also

Opinion: School lunch program is focused path to food policy reform

Big Stock Photo

Sustainable food movement wants overhaul of nation's food system, but focus, call for specific action is way to real change. Best bet: Advocate for radical change with Congressional renewal of laws for school meals (click 'See also'). Currently, cash-strapped schools rely on government surplus, sales of soda, junk foods. Stricter nutrition standards, more funding for fresh food could change that, and both mesh with Obama's goal of ending childhood hunger.

By Jane Black

The Washington Post 2009-01-25

See also

For New Year, out with the old - and processed - in with the fresh

All-America Selections/Cornell

A sustaining winter pantry can include delicata squash, and the olive oil for roasting it.

In winter, well-stocked pantry and fridge are sustaining and requires only supplements of produce, meat and dairy. Clearing out taste-free clutter - packaged bread crumbs, processed salad dressings - makes room for real food - fresh spices, olive oil, dried beans, whole grains - which will add satisfaction, enjoyment to meals.

By Mark Bittman

The New York Times 2009-01-07

Altering diet, other existing conditions key to public health

Prevention - currently less than five cents of every dollar spent on health - crucial to public health, say advocates (click 'See also'). Healthy communities created by planning across sectors, e.g., farm-to-school programs; supporting sustainable regional food systems; helping healthy food retailers succeed where fresh produce is limited, increasing funding to nutrition programs.

By Laura Troyer

The Food Times 2008-12-23

See also

Food policy reform advocates pin hopes on Obama

Noting his emphasis on diet-health links, food policy reform advocates pin all hopes on Obama, but coalition addressing hunger, food crisis may have real reason for optimism. He vowed to abolish childhood hunger by 2015. Since food is inextricably linked to other priorities - climate change, energy and health care policies - group also predicts reform potential.

By Kim Severson

The New York Times 2008-12-24

Activist, editor, restaurateur volunteer for 'kitchen cabinet'

Thomas Heinser/Edutopia

National food reform, fight against diet-related disease should start in Obama's new back yard - with garden, says Alice Waters, chef and activist. She has teamed with Ruth Reichl, Gourmet magazine editor, and Danny Meyer, New York restaurateur, to volunteer for 'kitchen cabinet' duties after trio helped raise $800,000 for his campaign.

By Kate Coleman

San Francisco Chronicle 2008-12-10

Job worries change purchase patterns at Wal-Mart, Sam's Club

As Americans cut spending on everything in response to job worries, they stock up on frozen foods, food storage for home cooking, Wal-Mart head reports. In Sam's Clubs, he sees restaurateurs shopping several times a week, using yesterday's cash to buy food for tonight's business. And: Using coupons at checkout makes person behind you seem cheap, too (click 'See also').

By Nadine Elsibai

bloomberg.com 2008-12-14

See also

University links public health, agriculture on new site

New website offers access to information about public health, agriculture, and connects the two fields. Johns Hopkins University site, a project of its Center for a Livable Future (click 'See also') links communities, organizations, individuals. Site allows search of databases, vetted collection of reports, journal articles.

By Karla Cook

The Food Times 2008-12-14

See also

Farm lobby, animal activists split over talk of 'cow tax'

Farm lobby group calculates annual per-head livestock fee on emissions-rich cows, pigs as possible result of EPA report after Supreme Court ruling on air pollution. EPA says report does not include proposal to tax livestock. Environment group supports proposal, saying it could push switch toward healthier crops.

By Bob Johnson

The Associated Press; The Washington Post 2008-12-05

Group coordinates leftovers deliveries to those in need

Notorious buttercream incident in Alfa Romeo 20 years ago grows into Food Runners, a San Francisco group of volunteers that helps direct surplus food, whether from parties or farmers' markets, to those in need. Says one volunteer: 'If you've had a bad week, go and do something like Food Runners....It changes your whole outlook on life.'

By Nancy Mullane

National Public Radio 2008-12-02

Linking city to foodshed in far-reaching food policy

Food policy proposals under discussion in San Francisco would decrease use of imported food, strengthen ties to nearby farms and could include new rural-urban accords for water conservation, alternative-energy production. Policy also would increase flow between countryside, which controls energy, food production and land; and city, which controls policy, finance, markets.

By Erin Allday

San Francisco Chronicle 2008-11-29

Alarming level of neurological toxin in fish-eating birds

NYDOH

Smallmouth bass, favorite prey fish of bald eagles, are on a NY mercury advisory list.

Bald eagles - fish-eating barometers of environmental health - show rising mercury levels in Catskills, site of drinking-water reservoirs for New York City. Most mercury comes from coal-burning power plant emissions blown from Midwest; toxin falls into water and becomes methylmercury, which contaminates worms, then fish. And: New York advisories limiting amount of state's fish that can be safely eaten (click 'See also').

By Anthony DePalma

The New York Times 2008-11-24

See also

Lowering stress, heart disease risk with parks, gardens

More neighborhood green space reduces risk of heart disease, greatly narrows health gaps and death rates between rich, poor, UK researchers learn. Governments should promote and invest in green areas, which provide opportunities for stress reduction and physical activity. And: Plunging hands into the dirt therapeutic for gardeners (click 'See also').

By Michael Kahn

Reuters 2008-11-07

See also

Two nutrition experts list food industry secrets

Food industry would rather us not notice: its billions spent on ads to children; its donations to nutrition associations; its lobbying that has made food labels confusing; its minimizing of health concerns related to its products; that it fronts groups that fight obesity and that it tries to discredit critics. Opinion: Modifiable diet factors cause much more illness, death than car crashes, nutrition professor, pediatrician say (click 'See also').

By Adam Voiland

U.S. News & World Report 2008-10-17

See also

Opinion: U.S. food policy must link new energy, preventive care and global market

Obama must decide what, how and why the whole of America eats. Food system guzzles 19 percent of fossil fuels, gushes up to 37 percent of greenhouse gas emissions; health care is sapping 16 percent of national budget, with four diet-related diseases making top 10 killers list; global food price crisis shows food can't be traded across borders like color television sets (click 'See also').

By Jess Halliday

FoodNavigator 2008-11-03

See also

Opinion: Viewing global food crisis as critical foreign policy

Barack Obama has opportunity to reposition global food crisis as critical foreign policy, and he should, since hunger is directly tied to civil unrest. Surely a world that found $1 trillion to rescue financial institutions can find $30 billion for short-term hunger needs and improvements to increase food production.

By Nancy Roman

World Food Program (UN)/Reuters AlertNet 2008-11-05

Growing movement toward clucks, oinks, bleats in city

As local food movement gains popularity, urban dwellers think beyond salad gardens to laying hens for eggs and meat, backyard goats for meat and lawn control, bees for pollination and honey, and fish in unused swimming pools for lean protein. Then, they question rules against farming.

By Diane Peters

National Post (Canada) 2008-10-24

Food, agribusiness power endangers democracy, says author

Participant Media

Food system's power blocks free speech, threatens democracy by scaring farmers into silence and lack of food labeling, says Eric Schlosser, co-producer of documentary, 'Food, Inc.' Monsanto sues farmers over use of genetically modified seeds without permission, but, then, food firms don't label products containing such organisms, arguing that genetically modified foods are not substantially different. Surveys show Americans unaware that 70 percent of all processed foods contain GM ingredients.

By Evan Solomon

The Globe and Mail (Canada) 2008-10-25

For clean drinking water, mending oceans, a toilet manifesto

Barnes & Noble

With drinking water and energy increasingly precious, washing away waste makes little sense, says Rose George in new book. Transforming waste into fertilizer won't work - it is "the most efficient means--short of eating the sludge--of injecting toxic substances directly into the human body," EPA panel said in 1975. Eco-sewage, with two streams, would slash water use by 80 percent.

By Johann Hari

Slate Magazine 2008-10-20

Couponing returns as household activity

As shoppers hunt for deals on groceries, casual restaurant meals, take-out food and other goods or services, coupon-clipping returns as household activity. Manufacturers have become more restrictive by imposing time limits and more purchase requirements for redemption.

By Emanuella Grinberg

CNN 2008-10-09

Exchanging recyclables for grocery coupons

Seeing gold in garbage, two entrepreneurs offer coupons redeemable for groceries, coffee, in exchange for recycling. Recycling rate jumps in one town from three percent to 32 percent in a year, and in another town, participation is up tenfold. 'Our customer is anyone who lives in a home and buys stuff,' says founder, who is aiming for profit by 2010.

By Keith Naughton and Daniel McGinn

Newsweek 2008-10-06

Opinion: Enact laws against cruelty of factory farming

The Humane Society

California voters should pass Proposition 2; every state should enact similar laws. Philosophy of cheapness cannot justify cruelty of industrial farming, with millions of pregnant sows, calves and laying hens kept in cages so small they can barely move. Reducing concentration of animals also will reduce air, water pollution and begin to redress imbalance between small farmers and huge corporations that have acquired anti-competitive control over meat industry.

The editors

The New York Times 2008-10-08

Farming the future by pooling resources, sharing work ethic

Sharing capital and ideas, artisans and agricultural entrepreneurs unite to save Vermont town, and, in process, create what could be a model for rebuilding the food system, conserving farmland and farming sustainably. Success may herald 'major social transformation, the swinging back of the pendulum from industrialization and globalization,' says investor.

By Marian Burros

The New York Times 2008-10-08

Opinion: Capitalism plus regulatory vacuum tempts scandals

American food supply is flawed but China's present is our past. Tainted milk scandal mirrors New York's in the mid 19th century, when up to 8,000 babies died each year. Large-scale adulteration requires fast-growing get-rich-quick economy coupled with regulatory vacuum. Scandals are symptomatic of a deep failure of politics.

By Bee Wilson

The New York Times 2008-09-30

Opinion: How does Wall Street rate over hungry Americans?

If Congress can conjure up vast sums for Wall Street bailout, why, when we speak urgently of a fraying social net, of charities reeling and empty food pantries, of tens of millions of Americans (the types who clean the likes of AIG and Freddie Mac at night) without food and shelter, is there not a penny available? Our nation's priorities are in the wrong place.

By Joel Berg

The Washington Post 2008-09-28

Return to kitchen replaces deprivation diet culture

New 'positive eating' replaces deprivation diets, returns participants to pleasures of seasonal foods, meals with family and friends, the kitchen and scratch cooking. People of normal weight spend more time on food shopping, cooking and cleanup than others, study shows. And: New cooks drive increase in food website traffic, sales of cookbooks, food magazines, inexpensive cookware and basic foods (click 'See also').

By Tara Parker-Pope

The New York Times 2008-09-17

See also

College cafes go tray-free and students grumble - but eat less

In race to be green, colleges try eco-friendly no-tray policy and students with big appetites find heaping helping of complaints. Multiple plates are cumbersome to carry, extra trips for seconds are disruptive, and it takes longer to clear the table. Another school replaces disposable foam trays for plastic containers that can be returned dirty, or replaced for $5.

By Jodi S. Cohen

Chicago Tribune 2008-09-06

McCain VP choice hunts, fishes - and cooks after laying off mansion chef

Vogue magazine

Sarah Palin, vice president pick of GOP candidate John McCain, is a mooseburger-eating former beauty contestant and the Alaska governor. She doesn't mind shooting caribou because it 'has had a good life. It's been free out there on the tundra, not caged up on a farm with no place to go.' She laid off the chef in the governor's mansion - no need for that, she said. Her husband, a native Yup'ik Eskimo (click 'See also'), is a former commercial fisherman.

By Cathleen Decker and Michael Finnegan

Los Angeles Times 2008-08-30

See also

Opinion: Beyond grief to real food, rights and political demands

To kick fast-food addiction and re-establish relationship with what's good for us and for planet, we must move beyond grief cycle (denial, anger, depression, bargaining, acceptance) and, through actions in our lives, understand that real food is a right. Next step is demanding action from political leaders. And: To comment on the Healthy Food and Agriculture Declaration, click 'See also.'

By Katrina Heron

San Francisco Chronicle 2008-08-17

See also

Opinion: Heartbeat away from Italian chef in White House?

In 1987, Joe Biden promised to hire an Italian chef if elected president, so he could always eat his favorite food. It was an unusual campaign promise, but indicative of his engaging personality that will mesh well with staid, more serious Barack Obama.

By Carl P. Leubsdorf

The Dallas Morning News 2008-08-23

Opinion: Organic farming needs genetic engineering, and vice versa

To secure future of food, combine genetic engineering with organic farming to grow more with less harm to environment and to farm workers, says plant pathology professor, organic farmer's wife. Pesticides more harmful than genetic engineering, she says. And: Food prices, shortages pressure those who resist genetically engineered crops (click 'See also').

By Pamela Ronald

The Boston Globe 2008-03-16

See also

Opinion: Urban farming translates to victory salads

Karla Cook/thefoodtimes

Urban farming could relieve strain on food supply, increase food independence, combat obesity. When dinner is plucked from balcony pots or lawn, carbon footprint nearly disappears. Want to cool cities cheaply? Plant crops on rooftops. It's an excuse to geek out with NASA tech. Best of all, it would reconnect us to our frontier spirit.

By Clive Thompson

Wired magazine 2008-08-18

Pitchforks and prerequisites

Universities compete for students, satisfy their professors with cross-disciplinary food studies programs that draw on explosion of food literature and link students' personal choices with labor practices, health and the environment. Food studies also underscore universities' emphasis on sustainability, in operations and in the classroom.

By Jane Black

The Washington Post 2008-08-20

Opinion: With 100 months left before tipping point, every choice matters

With irreversible climate change expected in 100 months, everything we do matters. Individuals alone can't re-engineer Britain's fossil-fuel-dependent food, transport and energy systems; government must lead. Between 1938 and 1944, economy was re-engineered and there were dramatic cuts in resource use and household consumption. How countdown was calculated (click 'See also').

By Andrew Simms

The Guardian (UK) 2008-08-01

See also

Espresso lane at the motorcycle repair shop

In Dallas, entrepreneurial mechanic blends 'CNN and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance' with inspiration from stay-all-day coffee shops in Mexico City and London, but adds wine, beer and chain-link curtains.

The Dallas Morning News 2008-08-01

See also

Eating, buying local to avoid shipping costs

Cost of moving goods could transform some foods into luxuries and further promote the local food movement. 'Avocado salad in Minneapolis in January is just not going to work in this new world, because flying it in is going to make it cost as much as a rib eye,' says researcher.

By Larry Rohter

The New York Times 2008-08-02

Is diet, fitness discipline a faux pas in eyes of plump electorate?

With presidential campaign showing aspects of beauty pageant/eating contest, will sedentary, overweight electorate pick former fat kid turned skinny gym-goer who eats protein bars and battles cigarettes or slightly overweight guy with weakness for Butterfingers and doughnuts? Does weight struggle make candidate seem like 'one of us?'

By Amy Chozick

The Wall Street Journal. (may require subscription) 2008-08-01

Analysis: Candidate's speech lacks trade details

www.barackobama.com

Barack Obama's Berlin speech vague on trade, a concern for Europe considering earlier vow to renegotiate NAFTA, opposition to Colombian trade deal. Europeans dislike $289 billion farm/food bill that maintains U.S. farm subsidies; Americans say they're losing $200 million yearly because Europe won't buy their chickens disinfected by chlorine bath. Click 'See also' for youtube video.

By Steven Erlanger

The New York Times 2008-07-25

See also

Cutting fossil fuel use is up to each of us, study shows

To cut nation's fossil fuel use for food production by half, individuals must eat less, reduce junk food intake and switch to diet lower in meat, therefore reducing demand for processed foods and factory-farmed livestock, Cornell researchers say. Other crucial need: transformation from conventional to organic farming.

Science Daily 2008-07-24

Could farming take root in city sky?

Professor's vertical farming idea (click 'See also') captures imagination of New York borough president. 'The sky is the limit in Manhattan,' he says, but skeptic brings another view: 'Would a tomato in lower Manhattan be able to outbid an investment banker for space in a high-rise? My bet is that the investment banker will pay more.'

By Bina Venkataraman

The New York Times 2008-07-15

See also

Opinion: Growing a kitchen garden on White House lawn

Considering rising cost of food, the carbon footprint, the food shortage, the moral queasiness about biofuels, food safety issues and the Midwest floods, activist wants to see next president think global, eat local - from the 18-acre yard of the White House.

By Ellen Goodman

International Herald Tribune 2008-07-04

See also

Opinion: Gardening, cooking and eating as political acts

Social, cultural dimensions of our food system should raise great concerns for conservatives. Even the smallest acts of resistance to corporate-governmental collaboration on policy and nutritional guidelines are crucial to recovering local culture and will nurture ability to either govern or to resist centralized government.

By John Schwenkler

The American Conservative 2008-06-30

See also

Circumventing industrial food system for beef in bulk

Growing number of urbanites, concerned about rising food prices, drugs and diseases and factory farm practices buy whole sides of beef for $750 and up. Then they face learning curve on chest freezers, butchers' paper, and what part of cow makes steak and what part makes ground round.

By Jane Black

The Washington Post 2008-06-17

See also

Outcry after heat death of grape farm worker

Jocelyn Sherman/UFW

Maria Jimenez, 17.

With nearest water cooler a 10-minute walk away, undocumented and pregnant grape field worker in California collapses and later dies of heat exhaustion. Governor promises justice. State has most stringent heat laws in U.S., requiring water, shade and rest breaks. In 2007, more than half of employers audited were violating rules; 200 inspectors are responsible for auditing millions of employers.

By Sasha Khokha

KQED; National Public Radio 2008-06-06

Oases in food deserts

The Veggie Mobile makes one-hour stops at assisted living centers and public housing projects in urban food deserts.

As food, fuel prices climb, states and nonprofit groups find ways aid urban poor. In New York, $500,00 from health department funds Veggie Mobile, which delivers produce to residents in Troy, Albany and Schenectady at dramatic savings with more selection and fresher options; others use community supported agriculture, like Iowa's Farm to Folk; traditional grocers beginning to respond to need and earning potential.

By Valerie Bauman

The Associated Press; Newsday 2008-06-07

See also

Opinion: From husbandry to abuse

Factory farming has turned animal husbandry into animal abuse, and new administration should consider regulating farm pollution as rigorously as other industries, phasing out confinement systems, banning antibiotics used for growth, and robust use of antitrust laws to encourage more competition.

The editors

The New York Times 2008-05-31

Stealth gardeners lob seed bombs for food, beauty

In reaction to wasteful use of land and suspicions about food sources, guerrilla gardeners plant without approval on land that's not theirs. The movement, part beautification, part eco-activism, part social outlet, turns neglected public space and vacant lots into floral or food outposts. First two requirements: sun and water source.

By Joe Robinson

Los Angeles Times 2008-05-29

See also

Opinion: Turn oven on, TV off

We may be a busy nation, but the same American who has just 30 minutes for the kitchen is somehow finding 240 minutes each day to watch TV. If we're serious about reclaiming control of our food from industrial companies and giving food the priority it deserves, the kitchen is where we have to start.

By Paul Roberts

Los Angeles Times 2008-05-21

Cutting food bill means more home cooking

Cutting food costs starts with buying store brands, then branches out: Buy less, waste less; buy a breadmaker and bake your own; make your own spreads, dips, pasta sauces and soups; avoid prepared bags of salad; grow arugula at home; buy staples in bulk; try local markets for fruits and vegetables.

By Jill Papworth

The Guardian (UK) 2008-05-17

No fat-fighting leadership, critics say

As European countries mount focused campaigns against childhood obesity, American efforts founder at the top. The 2009 budget ends a $75 million program to help schools and communities expand physical-education offerings; USDA pushes a low-fat diet, but supports Pizza Hut's stuffed crust pizza. Foundations, state and local governments and local groups attempt to provide leadership.

By Susan Levine and Lori Aratani

The Washington Post 2008-05-19

See also

Candidates on childhood obesity

As part of a five-day series on childhood obesity in The Washington Post (click 'See also'), the presidential candidates were asked how they would address the problem. Excerpts: *Hillary Clinton: Ban junk food in schools, install universal school breakfast plan, double summer feeding program, implement a healthy schools program that funds replacing all unhealthy food with healthy food in schools by 2012, increase funding for physical education, voluntary guidelines for food industry. *Barack Obama: Coordinate and collaborate across departments, ensure adequate resources, expand and accelerate research on prevention and treatment, support nutrition and physical activity grant programs, support public health and advocacy groups, finalize voluntary food and beverage advertising guidelines and if they're not effective, make them mandatory. *John McCain: Teach children and their parents about child health, healthier meals at home and exercise as a family activity, nutrition education and more physical education at school, diet and fitness guidance by health-care providers, healthy food options for schools, adequate funding for physical education, prevention and maintenance as part of basic health care plans, appropriate and informative food labeling, and voluntary standards for food makers.

The Washington Post 2008-05-17

See also

Food policy in McCain's speech

Candidate John McCain, in speech, imagines achievements as president, including: better nutritional content of school lunches; declining obesity and diet-related disease rates among the young; installation of temporary worker program; new free trade accords; elimination of U.S. tariffs on agricultural imports; phase-out of unneeded farm subsidies; and end of world food crisis.

By John McCain (transcript)

The Washington Post 2008-05-15

Cutting food, water waste

Reducing food, water waste - estimated at 30 percent of food production worth about $48.3 billion, and up to half the water - must be part of the political agenda, say authors of report for UN. Effective conservation strategy aids farmers, business, ecosystems, and the hungry.

By Stephanie Blenckner

Stockholm International Water Institute 2008-05-14

See also

Opinion: Flavoring the revolution

Great cooking requires good farming and a healthy environment, because care required for sustainable agriculture yields good flavor and nutrition. To increase demand for good food, we must consider cost per nutrient value, not cost per quantity. Small farms are not a nostalgic notion; the high cost of oil requires a graceful move into a post-industrial agriculture economy.

By Dan Barber

The New York Times 2008-05-11

Linking farms to schools

Cooperative of farmers, ranchers, with $88,000 USDA grant, aims to reduce obstacles of getting local products onto school lunch trays. Co-op will act as order/collection/distribution center for up to 60 growers. Growers will be the sole shareholders; if project succeeds, it could be used as model. One ranch already sells kiwis at a loss because kids' response so encouraging; will join in hopes of turning a profit.

By Natalie Ragus

The Lompoc Record 2008-04-30

See also

Apples scarce for many in Big Apple

Up to three million New Yorkers live in communities with high rates of diet-related disease and a dearth of supermarkets (click 'See also' for study). Many residents spend food budget at pharmacies, which sell processed foods and sodas, then medicines for diet-related ills. City could support another 100 grocers; planning director calls situation a health crisis.

By David Gonzalez

The New York Times 2008-05-05

See also

Pew panel urges new farming model

American agriculture must chart course away from factory farming to reverse environmental and human health problems, Pew panel says. Experts, in two-year study, probed quantity and impact of animal sewage on waterways and soil; human health implications of antimicrobials used for animal growth; impact of factory farms on rural life; and welfare of animals. For report, click 'See also.'

By H. Josef Hebert

The Associated Press; San Francisco Chronicle 2008-04-29

See also

Local flour power

Massachusetts bakers, looking for local wheat source but unable to convince farmers to take the chance, persuade 50 customers to rip up their lawns to grow wheat test plots. In two years' time, they hope to tell the farmers which varieties grow best in Northeast - meanwhile, they envision volunteer harvesters on bicycles, bearing scythes.

By Tina Antolini

National Public Radio 2008-04-28

See also

Opinion: Candidates missing green uprising

Presidential candidates are missing opportunity to put food at the center of their green plans, to support beginning farmers and to champion communities' efforts, nationwide, to build local food sources including farmers' markets and edible gardens. Neither candidate has dared to address the farm/food bill and how it could catalyze a truly green economy.

By Anna Lappé

Grist 2008-04-22

Diet for a small (carbon-burdened) planet

Bon Appetit Management; NPR

As tomatoes are shipped from California to Massachusetts and back, and landfills burp methane from discarded food, Bon Appetit introduces to its food-service clients a diet featuring local produce, less meat and reduced portions. It hopes to increase efficiency, reduce emissions and persuade its parent, the food-service giant Compass Group, to follow.

By Kenneth R. Weiss

Los Angeles Times 2008-04-22

See also

Opinion/Blogs: Eating efficiently

With a backdrop of widespread food riots, ballooning prices and countries scrambling to feed themselves, export partners be damned, the one thing in our power is our own diet. It takes about five pounds of grain to produce a single pound of beef. Reducing meat consumption is as meaningful as using compact fluorescent bulbs or cloth shopping bags - it's time to start.

By Brandon Keim

Wired 2008-04-21

Growing project battles hunger

Tracy A. Woodward/The Washington Post

Volunteers plant potatoes that eventually will be harvested for food banks. Fresh produce gives needy people a sense of dignity, says worker.

Retired FEMA worker realizes vision in 40 acres of volunteer-grown watermelons, cantaloupes, green beans, beets, turnips, onions, corn, peas, cucumbers, potatoes, okra and lima beans - for charity. 'If we don't do something, then we're not going to close this poverty. Obesity. Diabetes. It's a gap we're not even trying to zero in on.' He says youthful volunteers 'almost through sensing it,' know the hungry kids in class.

By Jackie Spinner

The Washington Post 2008-04-13

See also

Labeling clones and GMO foods

Tennessee legislature considers bill that would require labeling and public notice for any meat or milk from cloned animals, or for any genetically altered or modified foods or ingredients for human consumption. If passed, law would take effect in January, 2009.

Tennessee General Assembly 2008-04-11

A return to kitchens

British chef Jamie Oliver looks to scrimping of World War II and begins program to aid in return to cooking and basics. First target town is Rotherham, where mothers once passed junk food through fences to children unhappy with his school food improvements. 'If we can get people in one town cooking, I want to establish a blueprint that can get people cooking across the whole country this year.'

By Owen Gibson

The Guardian (UK) 2008-03-29

Proposing paradigm shift for farmers, farm/food bill

Diversified organic family farm is renegade in windswept South Dakota, the 'lunatic fringe of the Corn Belt,' where industrial agriculture prevails. Expert says this is model for future, because it works on improbable - and ideal - farmland: 'Pay farmers to reduce synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. Pay them to enhance wildlife, diversity their crops, build soil and restore wetlands. Pay them to develop local markets for their products, especially fresh food.'

By Sam Hurst

Gourmet magazine 2008-04-01

Gathering greens

Striving to create a metropolis that can feed itself, garden activists target the 5,000-plus private- and city-owned vacant sites in San Francisco as sites of temporary, volunteer-tended organic gardens. Landowners wouldn't be charged, produce would go to local food banks and maybe to farmers' markets. Skeptics wonder about water sources and hidden costs.

By Matthew Green

San Francisco Chronicle 2008-03-22

See also

Wal-Mart's anti-rBST move

Wal-Mart decides to carry milk only from cows not treated with artificial growth hormone. Kroger now sells only milk made without the hormone, rBST. Safeway has switched its in-store brands to non-rBST milk; Starbucks now uses only non-rBST milk. In 2006, 18 percent of dairy cows were injected with the milk-increasing hormone, USDA says.

By Janet McFarland

The Globe and Mail (Canada) 2008-03-22

Opinion/Blog: Back to dirt

Karla Cook

Our homogenized domestic landscape is mirrored in the runaway demand for, and planting of, corn. As manufacturing disappears and the food supply chain dwindles, why not reintroduce farmland? Purposeful reclamation of urban and suburban lands for return to agriculture is serious fodder for artists, architects and academics.

By Allison Arieff

The New York Times 2008-03-19

See also

Roundup case settled

percyschmeiser.com

Percy Schmeiser, the farmer who sued Monsanto Canada over rogue Roundup Ready canola plants he found growing in his field in 2005, settles the case. It was the latest in a continuing battle between the 77-year-old farmer and the agribusiness giant. The farmer was found by court to have planted Monsanto's patented seeds in 1998 without paying its required fee.

By Murray Lyons

The Star Phoenix (Saskatoon) 2008-03-19

See also

Bringing up baby

babygadget.net

Parents switch from hard plastic baby bottles after reports questioning safety of chemical used in their manufacture. In tests on animals, the chemical, called bisphenol A, or BPA, shows hormone-like effects on the reproductive system. Sales of glass baby bottles boom.

By Lisa A. Flam

The Associated Press; The Guardian (UK) 2008-03-13

See also

Global desire for U.S. diet

'Diet globalization' means demand for pork in Russia, beef in Indonesia and dairy in Mexico. Home-cooked food is out, fast food is in. Farmers, producing flat-out, are happily uncertain of what to plant, since nearly every commodity crop is going up. Rising food prices are fueling inflation in U.S., social unrest and riots in other countries. Grain stockpiles are at lowest levels in decades; investors bet on scarcity and high prices.

By David Sreitfeld

The New York Times 2008-03-09

See also

Rising up against biotech sugar beets

Faith-based investors' group launches web campaign (click 'See also') to boycott genetically modified sugar beets, citing 'weak governmental review and oversight, and the lack of long-term, independent and peer-reviewed safety studies.' Pre-written letter for visitors to send to food companies urges public opposition to unlabeled GM sugar from Monsanto's Roundup Ready sugar beets. Environmental groups have filed lawsuit to prevent spring planting.

By Chris Jones

Food Navigator 2008-03-05

See also

Middle class threat on global food security

Appetite of growing middle class in China, India for meat and processed food is more immediate threat than climate change, says UK scientific adviser, a student of chaos theory. Global food security requires a substantial investment in modern agriculture and irrigation. Higher food prices force poor to even less-balanced diets, with short- and long-term health consequences.

By Roger Highfield

The Telegraph (Great Britain) 2008-03-06

Dairy subsidy divide

Republicans John McCain and Governor Jim Douglas of Vermont part ways on subsidy program that has paid Vermont farmers more than $50 million since it began in 2002. The governor says it belongs in the rewrite of the farm/food bill; in 2001, Senator McCain voted against it. Democrats Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama both say they support subsidy extension.

By Sam Hemingway

Burlington Free Press (VT) 2008-02-20

Opinion/Blog: Voting with our forks

Michael Pollan, author of 'In Defense of Food,' analyzes a few candidates' food policy: Barack Obama - calculatedly vague, but somebody there understands the link between public health and agriculture. Hillary Clinton - supported local agriculture and farm-to-school programs in New York, but the Clintons have deep roots in agribusiness. Mike Huckabee - does he understand obesity in a systemic way or as a personal triumph? John Edwards - had called for a moratorium on feedlots, a single food safety agency and his adviser on agriculture was an organic farmer.

By Rebekah Denn

Seattle Post-Intelligencer (WA) 2008-02-15

Safe food for children

Barack Obama says that inadequacy of food recall process is clear, since most Hallmark/Westland beef recalled had already been eaten. He says that if elected, he will hire more federal food inspectors and ask the USDA whether federal food safety laws need to be strengthened. He says that as a parent, 'there are few issues more important to me than ensuring the safety of the food that our children consume.'

BarackObama.com 2008-02-18

Opinion: Campaigning for food safety

With nation's largest beef recall under way, Hillary Clinton details the food safety plan she would pursue if elected. It includes increasing USDA food safety funding by more than 50 percent, creation of a Food Safety Administration, granting safety agencies recall authority, creation of a national tracing system, and prosecution of production facilities that allow unsafe food to enter our food supply.

HillaryClinton.com 2008-02-18

See also

Baby food brouhaha

Tarmac-sitting and stories of flight delays don't change the notion of 'reasonable' quantity of food for a 10-month old, couple learns after airport security officer confiscates a jar of prunes, a jar of bananas and one serving of formula. Told they would need a 'doctor's note' to take more, both dad and mom pointed out that they were physicians - and filed a complaint.

By Joe Sharkey

The New York Times 2008-02-19

See also

Calling a clone a clone

As shoppers ask questions, retailers join consumer groups and lawmakers to call for labeling and/or government tracking of milk and meat from clones and progeny. The FDA says neither labeling nor disclosure is needed though science is imperfect. Without labeling, critics say, problems wouldn't be linked to the technology. The European Food Safety Authority says suffering of deformed clones and surrogate mothers is too great to justify cloning for food.

By Bernadette Tansey

San Francisco Chronicle 2008-02-18

A need-to-know basis?

British officials consider modifying law to reduce public knowledge of biotech test field locations. Last summer, vandals damaged field of genetically modified potatoes. Anti-GM activists have linked to European groups that share tactics on gaining access to fields; crop trashings are on upswing in France and Germany as farmers grow more GM crops.

By Ian Sample

The Guardian (UK) 2008-02-16

See also

Go for the gumbo

barackobama.com

In New Orleans, Barack Obama tells elementary school crowd he favors chocolate milk over strawberry, and at Dooky Chase's Creole restaurant, he douses his gumbo with hot sauce before he tastes it - while the owner looks straight ahead. For the restaurant's Creole Gumbo recipe, click on 'See also.'

The Associated Press; National Public Radio 2008-02-09

See also

Neither paper nor plastic

Thirty-three cent tax per bag helps Ireland kick the plastic bag habit. Now groceries might be stowed in backpacks or in reusable cloth bags brought out from trunks, and the crinkly and ubiquitous symbol of modern life is socially unacceptable. A similar tax has been proposed on chewing gum, which dots Dublin's sidewalks.

By Elisabeth Rosenthal

The New York Times 2008-02-03

See also

Pulling weeds

Farmer sues Monsanto in Canadian small claims court for about $600, the cost of removing the agribusiness giant's genetically modified oilseed rape plants found in a field he was planting in 2005. "No corporation should have the right to introduce GM seeds or plants into the environment and not be responsible for it," says Percy Schmeiser, calling the unwanted plants "pollution."

By David Adam

The Guardian (UK) 2008-01-22

See also

A nutritious start

With conflict resolution groups and anti-gang interventions, there are breakfast programs (it's hard to fight when you're eating well), and those efforts in Ontario have received a $7.7 million boost from the federal government.

The Canadian Press 2008-01-10

Opinion: Farm-to-plane

Eating locally makes sense in the summertime, when tomatoes are ripe in Jersey, or the dates are golden in California. But in Ohio during winter? Herewith, a distovore's meal in which each component collected frequent flyer miles before they were gathered from Whole Foods.

By Joel Stein

Time magazine 2008-01-10

Pining for home

If New Yorkers go berserk when their neighborhood coffee shop closes and suicides go up as Australian mining denudes the landscape so gardens won't grow, our reaction to global warming likely will be pervasive and savage sadness, philosopher says.

By Clive Thompson

Wired magazine 2007-12-20

French-fry fuel

Engineering students advocate using old cooking oil from Illinois university's residence hall kitchens as vehicle fuel for shuttle buses. They say the move could save money and reduce carbon emissions; effort has tentative backing of the school.

By Brian Cox

Chicago Tribune 2007-12-24

Smoke-free

Moving into health consciousness, France bans smoking in cafes, bars, restaurants and discos, but change won't be enforced until after New Year's celebrations. The decision, which doesn't include open-air terraces or pavement tables, follows similar bans in Britain, Italy, Ireland and Spain.

BBC News 2007-12-28

Fighting over food

In 2008, expect debate on: food safety; getting processed, packaged foods out of public schools after Senate killed amendment to its farm/food bill that would have limited them; regaining our joy in food and eating; the definition of "natural;" processed-food nutrition ranking systems, raw milk, and the end of cheap food, worldwide.

By Terri Coles

Reuters 2007-12-21

See also

An edible 2008

Look for the foodie culture to mesh with an obsessive quest for provenance as organic is supplanted by local, and haute gets hot in the frozen food department. Meanwhile, the processed food industry trumpets benefits of white bread, and those in the fats industries suggest a return to real mayonnaise, and to the taste of real butter.

By J.M. Hirsch

The Associated Press; Seattle Post-Intelligencer 2007-12-18

Garden green

Baltimore's public garden guru, Miriam Avins, wins $48,750 grant from George Soros' foundation to facilitate urban gardens. Gardens, she says, improve communities' eating habits, strengthen neighborhoods by gathering residents together for work and help the environment by reducing water runoff.

By Adam Bednar

Baltimore Messenger 2007-11-28

Chew and smile

Dutch restaurant/lab loaded with hidden cameras, "face readers," secret scales and scent producers examines what makes us eat and drink the way we do. The $4 million venture is effort of university; Sodexho, a food service company; a kitchen equipment maker; and monitoring system manufacturer.

By Marlise Simons

The New York Times 2007-11-26

Golden ears

As presidential candidates don hard hats and admire ethanol plants in Iowa, farmers, up to their ears in a bumper crop of corn that spanned a third of the state's surface, wonder what they have done wrong and why public opinion has turned against them.

By Joel Achenbach

Washington Post 2007-11-23

Almost sourcing

European Union reconsiders "Made in the EU" label for food and drink but not for meat. Critics say the proposal lacks specifics of country and transportation required. Initial proposal, in 2004, was rejected by UK, Germany and the Netherlands because it would cost too much.

By Jochen Luypaert

Business Week Online 2007-11-20

Virtually there

Google Earth moves companies, activists to plot links to the sources of our food, as does Dole with a brand of organic bananas, or to the sources of our electricity by ZIP code, as does Appalachian Voices, a nonprofit that fights mountaintop removal coal mining.

By Kevin J. Delaney

Wall Street Journal 2007-11-15

Birth of a movement

If the farm/food bill passes, it will be a triumph of farm lobbies and politics. But reform movement gathered disparate groups like never before: the conservative Heritage Foundation, the Environmental Working Group, Taxpayers for Common Sense, the food-aid group Oxfam, and the Bush administration, among others.

By Amanda Paulson

The Christian Science Monitor 2007-11-16

Shop around

Families find that one-stop, big-box shopping doesn't provide us best variety, prices or healthful options, so we're spending more time traveling and buying - paper towels at Sam's Club, chicken breasts, soy burgers, frozen vegetables and microwaveable brown rice at the natural foods store, and milk on the way home at the 7-Eleven.

By Janice Podsada

The Hartford Courant 2007-11-04

Raw controversy

After North Carolina decides to dye raw milk gray to discourage human consumption, a legislator begins work on a bill that would halt the plan; new bill would follow one that would legalize dairy shares, which allow customers to buy part ownership in a milk-producing animal so they can have raw milk.

By Suzanne Nelson

The Independent Weekly (NC) 2007-10-31

Falling short

Citing ills of industrial farming, pollution, and epidemics of obesity and diabetes, reform-minded citizens react to status-quo farm/food bill with emotions ranging from disappointment to fury, while faintly applauding increased funds for produce farmers, organic farming, conservation, and fruits and vegetables for schoolchildren.

By Carol Ness

San Francisco Chronicle 2007-11-01

Cyberfood

With the blogworld as our oyster, anyone with a yen and a computer can serve it forth, and here's how, but remember that the best ones have a strong point of view, nice art, an easy way with words and something more profound to say than "here's what I ate or cooked."

By Regina Schrambling

Los Angeles Times 2007-10-31

See also

Not so shiny

Japan's squeaky-clean image slips after candy manufacturer admits recycling old red bean paste for new rice cakes and earlier allegations of mixed meats mislabeled as pure ground beef; officials vow to prosecute but citizens feel unsettled and even worry about authenticity and safety of sushi, shark's fin and marbled beef, the nation's iconic dishes.

By Hiroko Tabuchi

The Associated Press 2007-10-26

Power food

As China's economy booms, its military hires dietitians and the soldier's diet improves in quality and variety; rice and wheat consumption drops as that of animal protein goes up, and Mao's time of troops' digging wild vegetables seems distant.

China Daily 2007-10-05

Food cycle

Long used in China, integrated aquaculture, with fish waste fertilizing certain plants and fish sold at market, now attractive to researchers and entrepreneurs in Australia; barramundi and Murray cod enrich lettuce, bok choy and herbs.

By Mary-Lou Considine

ECOS magazine; sciencealert.com 2007-08-29

Reducing, recycling

College, university cafeterias in Maine remove trays and see reduction in food waste; schools also institute buying locally, sending food waste to pig farms, composting scraps, buying in bulk and limiting seafood to species that are not vulnerable to overfishing.

By Ann S. Kim

Portland Press-Herald (ME) 2007-09-24

Plate by plate

When Alice Waters makes a meal from the farmers' market, it's clear she believes that a luscious meal has transformative powers, and she writes about those powers in "The Art of Simple Food: Notes, Lessons and Recipes From a Delicious Revolution"

By Kim Severson

The New York Times 2007-09-19

Your score:

To determine your environmental footprint of those restaurant dinners and other lifestyle choices, play this game from American Public Media.

By Christopher Kennedy, Michael Skoler and others

American Public Media and Realtime Associates, Inc. 2007-09-19

Changing tastes:

Crete, once home to ultra-healthful Mediterranean diet and religion-based fasting, is evolving to suit modern tastes, adding air-conditioned supermarket with apples from Chile - and a hospital that includes a wing for cardiac care, once a rarity on the island.

By Joseph Shapiro

National Public Radio 2007-09-08

Opting out:

Inspired by environmental justice and groups that feed the homeless with surplus food, freegans in New York eschew capitalism and scavenge for groceries in the 50 million pounds of food garbage discarded annually; they favor D'Agostino's, Trader Joe's and Whole Foods.

By Erika Hayasaki

Los Angeles Times 2007-09-11

Menu management:

Indian prison plans to offer inmates new diet, including eggs, soybeans, seasonal vegetables and chutneys, as well as slices of onion and lemon as condiments; cooking classes also contemplated.

The Telegraph (Calcutta, India) 2007-09-03

Doing time:

Jail farm in Massachusetts town becomes unconventional tourist draw as well as place for well-behaved inmates to feel sense of accomplishment while learning the art of tending plants and animals.

By Erin Conroy

Boston Globe 2007-09-01

What's organic?

Keeping the organic label pure may be tough to do as Wal-Mart and other behemoths are ramping up; already the industry is split between true ideals (localism and sustainability, in addition to no pesticides) and those willing to sacrifice for growth.

By Jake Whitney

San Francisco Chronicle 2007-01-28

Farm-fresh?

Target Corporation, in war against Wal-Mart and its industrial organics, sponsors a farmers' market in St. Paul/Minneapolis, but some customers balk at the Archer Farms booth, which is no farm, but the discount store's house brand.

City Pages (MN) 2007-08-23

See also

Growing spirit:

Long the designated caretakers of the poor and disenfranchised, religious communities find their interests growing toward farming and food production for reasons including humane treatment of animals, fair wages to workers and stewardship of the Earth.

By Joan Nathan

The New York Times 2007-08-22

Opinion: Healing garden:

Near the site of a murder that ripped a North Carolina town apart, the Anathoth Community Garden now grows, the gift of a black woman to a white church, and now the working poor find food at their door, and the town is finding a new peace.

By Fred Bahnson

Orion Magazine 2007-07-01

Growing lessons:

Austin-based non-profit group adds school gardens and farm-to-fork program to agenda that includes teaching low-income residents garden programs and how to sell produce they grow at farmers' markets.

By Paul Brown

News8Austin (TX) 0000-00-00

See also

Universal needs:

Running an organic garden is easy with a large staff, but techniques, detailed in "The Elements of Organic Gardening," by Prince Charles, are simple - good soil, black plastic, and keeping the chickens out.

By Charles Elliott

The New York Times (may require subscription) 0000-00-00

See also

Fighting hunger:

Seattle's Lettuce Link, which teaches gardening, nutrition and cooking to low-income population, helps fill coffers of food pantries and hot meal food banks whose regular donors are on summer vacation.

By Ann Lovejoy

Seattle Post-Intelligencer (WA) 2007-08-17

See also

City harvest:

As Atlanta grows, community garden plots are feeding the burgeoning appetite for locally grown produce and mingling of cultures; advocacy group partners with administration to open parks for communal plots.

By Elizabeth Lee

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution 0000-00-00

Backyard local:

Whether in miniscule back yards or near abandoned houses, urban farmers find every sunny spot and put it to use in effort to connect to their food; backyard chicken and egg trend in Salt Lake City is nothing short of coop d'etat.

By Chris Adamson

Salt Lake City Weekly 2007-08-23

See also

Picking plenty:

For fruit tree owners tired of picking peaches and apples, or plums raining down from their trees, there's Community Fruit Tree Harvest, which connects them to Seattle volunteers who can harvest the fruit and deliver it to local food banks and meal programs.

By Kathy Mulady

Seattle Post-Intelligencer (WA) 2007-08-19

Call for change:

In groundbreaking presidential report, cancer panel calls down governmental polices that have made fruits and vegetables more expensive and less available, have limited physical education in schools and created an environment that discourages physical activity; food industry with its unhealthy food sales implicated as well.

MSNBC; Reuters 2007-08-16

See also

Review:

Three books, "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life," "Plenty: One Man, One Woman and a Raucous Year of Eating Locally," and "Deep Economy: The Wealth of Communities and the Durable Future," explore the omnivore's dilemma, but only Bill McKibben, in "Deep Economy," looks at global problem.

By Laird Harrison

The News & Observer (NC) 2007-08-19

Lunchbox world:

Trash the idea of generating so much waste when packing and sending lunches with your little students; here's a collection of lunchboxes that keep cold things cold, hot things hot, and kids cool.

By Lisa Davis

Star-Telegram (TX) 2007-08-20

In the money:

Bumper crops of corn and wheat, great weather, plus rising beef prices and ethanol craze, pump prosperity into midwest town, where big engagement rings are seen as flashy and it's unseemly to eat out twice a day or buy a new truck that isn't a copy of your old one.

By Kevin Helliker

Wall Street Journal; Daily Herald (IL) 0000-00-00

See also

Review: No time

Judging from plastic bottles clogging the landfills and SUVs clogging the highways, the news that we're killing ourselves and our world hasn't kicked in, so that makes "The 11th Hour," an unnerving, surprisingly affecting documentary, essential viewing.

By Manohla Dargis

The New York Times 2007-08-17

Growing lessons:

Vermont school, working with local farmers and agricultural experts, plants garden designed to feed its 200 students homegrown vegetables at lunchtime, teaching a way of life, not only nutrition or fitness.

By Nicole Orne

Brattleboro Reformer (VT)

Beyond recipes:

Escoffier would be shocked, but Hugo Liu, computer whiz at the MIT Media Lab is shaking up the food world with blend of artificial intelligence and obsession, running recipes through deconstruction computer program and sorting them by emotion.

By Regina Schrambling

Los Angeles Times

Fixing the system:

Religious groups mobilize around the farm/food bill, speaking of justice and the urgent need to fix broken food system, from nutrition programs and energy policy to farmers and the wellbeing of the people they feed.

By Joe Orso

La Crosse Tribune; Associated Press, Wisconsin State Journal 0000-00-00

Ad attack

Humane Society targets Wendy's for its egg-buying choices, comparing it unfavorably to Burger King, which is phasing in cage-free policy; company responds that its interests are focused on welfare of chickens and pigs, the meat of which they buy in larger quantities.

By Monique Curet and Tracy Turner

The Columbus Dispatch

Backyard bonanza

Taking cue from Cuba, Vancouver gardener and agricultural scientist sows seeds of what he hopes will be an urban gardening movement that provides a locally grown alternative to modern and usually distant agribusiness.

By Nicholas Read

Vancouver Sun 2007-08-13

Future farms:

For Toronto, Tokyo and other urban sites, Columbia University professor conceives of vertical farming in tall buildings, with each floor hosting hydroponically grown crops, including grains, as well as small livestock such as pigs.

By Eviana Hartman

Washington Post

See also

Healing foods:

Carlo Petrini, guru of Italy-based Slow Food Movement, tells chef and writer of his work with Italian ministry of health to provide locally sourced - and cooked - fresh foods to hospitals.

By Giorgio Locatelli

The Guardian (UK)

Farm sharing

Community-supported agriculture provides cash for farmers when they need it for seeds and equipment in the early spring, and fresh produce - from lettuce to pumpkins - for participants throughout the growing season.

By Peggy Grodinsky

Houston Chronicle

Locavore's dilemma:

Local food advocates trumpet food miles, but the Life Cycle Assessment, with comprehensive accounting of all resources that go into food network, from fertilizer to electricity, offers clearer picture; meanwhile, air shipping is the most fuel-intensive, and the fastest growing sector of food transport.

By Drake Bennett

The Boston Globe

Farming the future

In unusual and win-win partnership between county and charity, inmates farm to benefit Milawaukee's poor, who eat asparagus, corn, cantaloupe and green beans in season, and hunger relief group runs the operation.

By Erica Perez

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Saving water

Coca-Cola, Nestle, and Läckeby Water Group join other food, drink producers in UN agreement to use water more efficiently; lack of access to clean water and sanitation undermines humanitarian, social, environmental, and economic goals.

By Ahmed ElAmin

foodproductiondaily.com

Cyberspace cooks:

With one-third of U.S. web users (50 million) visiting food sites in May, and recipe searches remaining a top draw for women, advertisers look to connect; sites, including epicurious.com, kraft.com, cookinglight.com, foodnetwork.com, marthastewart.com and allrecipes.com, scramble to offer services.

By Bob Tedeschi

The New York Times (may require subscription)