Archive for the ‘Reaping The Green’ Category
Subsidies Send Mixed Messages About Diet
Corn harvest
Sightline has found a couple of studies that indicate that as food with poor nutritional quality gets relatively cheaper, our waistlines grow larger. Since 1985, the price of food in the “sugar and sweets” category of the University of Washington study actually fell (when adjusted for inflation). While nutritional foodstuffs cost significantly more today than in 1985, with a price increase of more than 20 percent. Not surprisingly, we buy and consume more of what’s cheap.
Seattle Times asked the lead researcher, Pablo Monsivais, for an explanation of the price disparity. He responded that government subsidies may be to blame since they do not cater to “nutrient-rich agriculture.”
Conversely, many junk food producers that rely on corn and soy (and all of their wondrous by-products) get a major break thanks to federal subsidies. In the last ten years, U.S. subsidies for corn alone has totaled more than $75 billion. What’s not used in making processed food often goes to fattening livestock. More…
Can Gardens Pay for Themselves?
One of the biggest questions in urban agriculture is how in the world can we make this movement economically sustainable? Many things are being tried such as community supported agriculture box subscriptions, selling produce at farmers markets and the latest, changing city code so people can sell from their yards.
Looking at other cities, another thing that helps make gardens more economically viable is by producing value-added products like jam or cosmetics.
From the Rebel Tomato site, here is a list of value-added More…
Pollan Discusses the Economics of Local Eating to WSJ
In this interview with Wall Street Journal, Michael Pollan explains why some foods are more expensive at the farmers market, and that others are not. Furthermore, he talks about focusing on the quality of food as opposed to quantity, and why spending a bit more on food every now and again makes sense for the consumer and the farmer.
WSJ: Do Bay Area residents eat and shop for food differently from people elsewhere?
Mr. Pollan: The food movement really began on the West Coast, and you can make an argument it began in the Bay Area. There is a much higher level of consciousness here about where food comes from, about eating seasonally and locally, than there is in the rest of the country.
But we have certain advantages that few other places in the country have. We can eat from the farmer’s market 50 weeks of the year—the only reason they close is to get a break Christmas and New Year’s.
WSJ: What do you attribute the greater enthusiam to?
Mr. Pollan: A consumer who is willing to pay more for better food. That’s a matter of consciousness and a palette that has been educated by the chefs locally. Paying $3.90 for a Frog Hollow Peach, there are a lot of people here willing to do it. I don’t know if you can find a more expensive peach in America. My little rule, “Pay more, eat less,” is followed by a lot of people in the Bay area.
Financiers Seeking Sustainable Farms
A conscientious finance firm is taking a look at agriculture, and telling its investors to do the same. RSF Social Finance believes that investing in sustainable farms or food groups focused on community have a lot to offer and will be around in the long run.
This is a good omen for farmers who are putting their heart and soul into working the land now, who may not be seeing frequent paydays.
Here’s some more information from the Civil Eats blog:
RSF Social Finance, a non-profit financial firm focused on using money as a force for good in the world, has announced the launch of a new Food & Agriculture Program-Related Investing (PRI) Fund. The idea is to encourage investors to support elements of the agricultural and food sectors that look beyond the bottom line to take the health of our environment and communities into account. More…
Children’s Garden Funding Opportunities
Here are funding opportunities from the American Gardening Association:
2010 Golden Carrot Awards
The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine is seeking nominations for its Golden Carrot Awards for outstanding school food service professionals who have developed and implemented a healthful and successful school lunch program. The grand prize winner will receive $1,500 and a $3,500 check made out to her or his school or school district. Up to four additional awards will be given, with $500 going to the food service professional and $500 to benefit the school food service program. Click here, to nominate school food service professionals and their school lunch programs for the Golden Carrot Awards. More…
Mexico City’s Mercado Gigante
Photo courtesy of Nicola Twilley, Edible Geography
Edible Geography posted a fascinating piece on La Central de Abasto last week. La Central is a mostly-food dominated marketplace in Mexico City. To call it “large” would be an extreme understatement. Sitting on more than 800 acres, the market has about 100 passageways and its own police force. Approximately $8 billion exchanges hands at the market each year.
Its goal is to be “the axis of the country’s food supply system” and to ensure a sufficient supply of quality food to residents for the benefit of producers, traders and consumers.
Satellite photo of Central de Abasto via Google Maps
In addition to conveying the sights and smells of the market, the article details La Central’s history and highlights the significant role food plays in life and in politics. More…
Faux Farmers’ Markets Spur Anger
Safeway is taking advantage of the increased interest in local foods by starting up its own farmers’ market in front of its stores. Unfortunately, that doesn’t mean Safeway is actually allowing local farmers to sell their produce on Safeway’s property. Rather, the store is simply setting up produce stands to push their own products.
The deceitful marketing tactics upset those that participate in real farmers’ markets. Here’s the transcript of a recent KUOW story on the mock market:
Martha Tyler says she was driving past a Safeway store in Kirkland recently, when she noticed a large banner. It promoted a farmers market at the store that weekend. Tyler knows many local farmers since she runs the Redmond Saturday Market, so she went in to ask the Safeway manager for details.
Tyler: “And the manager told me that they were going to be setting up tents and selling Safeway produce by Safeway employees farmers–market style.”
For Tyler, and many others, that concept violates the definition of a farmers market, in which farmers sell locally grown produce directly to customers.
Tough Enough to Farm? Prove it, Says Colbert
Keeping a small garden in good enough shape to produce some decent edibles is hard enough for me. I tip my hat to farmworkers picking fruit or harvesting grains for a living. They work long, difficult hours under trying conditions and the pay isn’t exactly great.
Stephen Colbert from Comedy Central’s Colbert Report is issuing a challenge to anyone out there who complains about immigrants taking these jobs from those born in the United States. To me, this proposal highlights more than the issues surrounding immigration policy; it also gives a nod of recognition to those who work hard in the field of agriculture.
Thankfully, we have people who are able and willing to take these jobs despite the risks and sometimes paltry rewards; but we should be doing more to protect and support them. More…
Calculating the Value of the Harvest
One couple (or rather, the wife) wanted to conduct a little experiment to figure out the economic productivity of their small, home garden. The extra effort spent weighing produce and calculating grocery prices was well worth it. Not only did the family reap a valuable harvest, they have also provided other gardeners with the satisfaction of knowing that the countless hours and sweat going into their edible landscape is paying off.
Take a look at their calculations in this Kitchen Gardeners’ blog post–What’s a Home Garden Worth?.
With the global economy spiraling downward and Mother Nature preparing to reach upward, it’s a good question to ask and a good time to ask it. More…
Grants for Gardens
Do you have everything lined up for your community garden project except the funding? Here is a great resource page from the American Community Gardening Association (ACGA) on where to apply for grants.
Find out more about funding sources such as:
Profits for the Planet Program
Stonyfield Farm’s Profits for the Planet Program (PFP) provides funding to efforts that affect positive and meaningful change and have measurable outcomes. In addition to funds, Stonyfield Farm also donates product to organizations.
Deadline: Applications accepted throughout the year More…
Current Sponsor:
Kippen House chicken coops are well-designed, modern chicken coops with a roof garden or vertical garden!
Categories
News Aggregator
- Why does a posh agricultural college open its doors in summer to urban teenagers? September 7, 2010 Michael Levenston
- The safe use of wastewater in agriculture – Reduced costs for farmers and cities and improved water quality September 7, 2010 Michael Levenston
- USDA Announces Next Steps on Sugar Beets September 7, 2010 Taylor
- Register now for ‘Sheep School’ in Massachusetts September 6, 2010 Taylor
- Urban food garden installations in Bangalore September 6, 2010 Michael Levenston
- Job: Sustainable Agriculture Educator, Garden Manager September 5, 2010 Taylor
- City offers soil-cleaning tips to promote urban gardening September 4, 2010 Michael Levenston
- Michelle Obama in the garden September 4, 2010 Michael Levenston
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