Food and Agriculture

Do You Know Who Owns Your Food?

Do You Know Who Owns Your Food?

Corporate giants who were anonymously opposing the Washington state measure to mandate labeling of genetically modified ingredients through the Grocery Manufacturers Association were outed recently after the state attorney general filed a suit claiming violation of election disclosure laws.  Funneling money through a lobbying group is not the only way that Big Food can hide […]

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    Food Education Inspires Kids to Eat Healthy and Support Sustainable Farming

    Food Education Inspires Kids to Eat Healthy and Support Sustainable Farming

    Food education is not mandatory in U.S. schools, but many great programs exist, including those sponsored by Nourish, Farm to School, The Food Trust, The Edible Schoolyard Project and Common Threads. Research from organizations such as the Children’s Food Trust shows that improving our children’s diet now—and for the rest of their lives—means teaching them about food and giving […]

    Thousands of College Students Call for Just and Sustainable Food Economy

    Thousands of College Students Call for Just and Sustainable Food Economy

    Students at 350 of the nation’s college campuses are taking an active part in today’s Food Day observance—and have helped enact better food buying practices at their schools as a result. Nearly 140,000 students in 46 states are participating in more than 450 campus-based Food Day events, which include lectures, documentary screenings and petition drives. Some of these events […]

    Campaign Highlights Importance of Compost to Improve Soil in Your Garden

    Campaign Highlights Importance of Compost to Improve Soil in Your Garden

    The Million Tomato Compost Campaign is declaring success with its goal to grow a million tomatoes in soil improved with locally produced compost. The campaign, launched last April by the U.S. Composting Council (USCC), sought to boost the soil health of community gardens across the country and produce healthy and fresh food for local food pantries. Tomato plants grow big […]

    Los Angeles Considers Ban on Sale and Cultivation of GE Seeds and Plants

    Los Angeles Considers Ban on Sale and Cultivation of GE Seeds and Plants

    Los Angeles is considering banning the cultivation and sale of genetically engineered (GE) seeds and plants. If it does, this second-largest U.S. city would become the country’s largest GE-free zone. Two Los Angeles city councilmen on Friday introduced a motion that would ban the growth, sale and distribution of GE seeds and plants. The councilmen, Paul Koretz […]

    Appalling Lack of Progress in Factory Farm Policies Despite Increased Public Awareness

    Appalling Lack of Progress in Factory Farm Policies Despite Increased Public Awareness

    A comprehensive analysis of the U.S. meat, egg and dairy industries in 2008 excoriated  producers for their business practices. A new assessment of progress since then says industrial livestock production remains just as destructive, and little has been done to address any of the problems.   The report, from Johns Hopkins University Center for a Livable Future (CLF), says […]

    Big Food Lobby Discloses List of Donors in GE Food Labeling Initiative 522

    Big Food Lobby Discloses List of Donors in GE Food Labeling Initiative 522

    After the Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson filed suit against the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) last week for violating state election disclosure requirements, the lobby group published a list of their major donors on Friday, according to Cornucopia Institute. Ferguson alleged the GMA illegally collected and spent more than $7 million in opposition to Initiative 522, while […]

    Buy Organic Bananas, Save Crocodiles

    Buy Organic Bananas, Save Crocodiles

    Chemicals sprayed on bananas to control pests and disease are making their way into the bodies of the emaciated crocodiles who live near banana plantations in Costa Rica, says a new study that illustrates the environmental impact of pesticide use—and gives another reason to buy organic foods, even those with inedible peels. Crocodiles who live […]

    NY School Goes Vegetarian, Student Test Scores Improve

    NY School Goes Vegetarian, Student Test Scores Improve

    A public school in Flushing, NY that was the first in the nation to offer a 100 percent vegetarian lunch menu reported recently that students have improved attendance, test scores and energy in the wake of the change. Students are still allowed to brown-bag, but the overwhelming majority—about 90 percent—of students are choosing the veggie-based cafeteria […]