Food Declaration

Good thoughts from Michael. I agree, things are not perfect, but we have made big strides with the Dept. of Ag and for that we should be grateful.

Today I am grateful for any strides we can make toward less political food.

We love WWOOF - thanks!

A little background information regarding who you will be sending this to:
http://www.counterpunch.org/cummins12182008.html

You might be interested in an essay I wrote on a post-agriculture diet. http://www.sehn.org/blog/?p=115

Your essay was so interesting. The real challenge is to make all people aware that we simply cannot keep doing what we're doing, and we have to stop wasting time trying to figure out ways that we can keep doing what we're doing. It's not going to be possible. I sincerely hope what you think will happen actually happens. Most of the 12 points you list are easily do-able and we can start doing them immediately. I am going to share your essay on my Facebook page. I hope that's okay.

I am sure that is why Marty wrote it. Share it widely!

Yea! Science will save us from ourselves!
I don't have the energy now...but my usual motto is: Follow the money. My "nose" tells me I smell corporations behind this:
"find “better alternatives to livestock products,” like foods made with soy, seitan and mycoprotein, the ingredient in Quorn products made by the British company Marlow Foods."
and
"“What we’re talking about is hydroponic meat that would be the cleanest meat ever produced,”"... See More

Sounds like good, yummy, profitable-to-someone science.

But the end message is the same - we have to consume less. For the USA - we should read that as in ALL areas of our lives!

Thank you so much for mentioning the farmworkers who harvest our produce. Take a glimpse into the current reality of farmworker conditions in the U.S.
http://www.fairfoodproject.org/main/

Very thought provoking, thank you.

Source a wild harvest....for us it's wild cranberries.
Lots of fun for the whole family.We found some
black walnuts too.

Way to Go, Robyn!! The cart doesn't move with the horse behind it. We need to reform the CAUSES and then the ANSWERS!

Robyn describes some critical issues that need to be addressed, however, let's not forget that the president does not make the laws, congress does. The first step is to tell your congressman what steps you believe congress needs to take. On some of Robyn's points:
1. Commodity crops - whether GM or not are the crops that receive the lion's share of our tax dollars.
2. Absolutely - consumers need to know they are consuming chemicals with every meal.
4. Forget public debate - this is one thing Obama can change. He said he would close the revolving door between government appointees/industry/lobbies - so CLOSE IT already.
5. Why Al Gore? He is already a polarizing figure in the debate on climate change. There are plenty of activists speaking out about GM crops, farm subsidies, chemical use, etc. The USDA and the FDA are the ones who should be keeping our citizens protected and informed. ... See More
6. This one is way more simple that Robyn suggests: Label ALL products that contain GM ingredients. We have a right to know what we are eating.

^5 Janet!

This was an interesting panel discussions, however Martens' description of the cause of the collapse of the dairy market is incorrect. Martens states the quest for slight increases in margins by numerous farmers has led to overproduction and collapse. This is incorrect. The more than 4.2 billion pounds of dairy products imported in the U.S. last ... See Moreyear, not including powdered milk protein concentrates and other milk proteins, and price fixing in dairy cooperatives (there are suits pending in court now - against Dean Foods for one) are what led to the collapse of the dairy market.

I very much appreciate your insight and knowledge on these topics Janet!

"With Challenge Comes Opportunity" This is a healthy example of that!

This argument (to return to local sustainable farms/ranches) goes WAY beyond vegan vs. omnivore. We need to remember what is happening to our crops. An estimated 70 percent or more of all processed foods on supermarket shelves... See More–from soda to soup, crackers to condiments–contain genetically engineered ingredients.

Right now cotton, soybeans, corn and canola crops are GMO crops. There is nothing to stop this from happening to other crops and animals. Abuse of the lowest end of the food chain impacts anyone who eats food that is not local and sustainable.

Our energy needs to be focused on reducing commodity food production and increasing local sustainable farming!

One more comment for the vegans who expect everyone to stop eating meat. Many people cannot eat a high carbohydrate food and eating rice, grains, beans would increase risk or negative health outcomes for diabetes, thyroid disease, chron's disease and celiac disease. This includes over 30% of the population. I know because I am one of those people.