Famine for 20 Million Yet Food Security On the Rise

Food insecurity has been considered one of the most critical issues in our broken food system, and for years it has been a hot topic for food policy analysts and activists alike. Yet the solution hasn’t always been crystal clear. A recent study shows how a small boost in individual income might be the answer we’re looking for, and of course, accessibility doesn’t hurt either.

Ultimately, food insecurity is something we should all be paying attention to, in our local and nearby communities, and especially with regard to children residing in food insecure homes (thus having reduced levels of cognitive and emotional performance, sad!). On Long Island, we have a wonderful organization called Long Island Cares, which has had tremendous success in delivering breakfast to children in areas that are food insecure, making a positive impact on public health and community welfare!

Consider joining your local food pantry or not-for-profit food-share organization (if you’re on Long Island then visit Community Solidarity’s weekly gathering-also known as Food Not Bombs-to volunteer) helping to bring fresh, healthy food to people in need! Or try seeking out a local farm where some of the food might be thrown out to waste. Let us consider the gap between food production sites where some food doesn’t make it to the pristine aisles of supermarkets because it’s “ugly” and of course, the people who are going hungry because their only fault is they simply cannot afford to buy the good-looking stuff! 

Healthy Food Makes it’s Way Into Gas Stations 

The food at gas stations has conventionally been people’s last choice for dining out (and not typically a place for distributors to reach their target market of health food consumers), but now thing’s have changed and there is “an estimated 10 percent of the 154,000 convenience stores across the country — a $31 billion industry — that could be described as food-forward, according to the National Association of Convenience Stores.” – Ny Times

Check out these Top Ten Fast Food Chains with Vegan options! I can admit that sometimes we’re in a crunch, on the road, or simply working to please people we are dining out with, so when you must compromise, these fast food restaurants might be a good place to start. They are not organic, but going vegan is certainly one way of ‘eating green’ and maintaining some level of sustainability! 

Organics Transitions Happening Slowly but Surely

Civil Eats reports that “Americans are clamoring for organic food, but U.S. farmers are no longer growing a significant portion of what customers are buying. Despite close to $40 billion in organic food sales in 2015, less than 1 percent of U.S. farmland is certified organic…Now, the people behind two new certified transitional programs hope to chip away at that disparity.” Although agencies or food producers will be able to become certified as “transitional,” the standard does not yet include a consumer-facing certification for product. It’s a step, in the least, towards making it easier for farmers to transition and deal with the challenges of “more labor, more paperwork, and it nearly always comes with an increase in costs and an initial decrease in production per acre.”

This is among many other exciting (some good, some bad) news currently trending in food and politics. Most recently, was the vindication had by many public health experts and environmental activists when Monsanto’s leaked communications last week proved various levels of misconduct to cover up the truth about Glyphosate’s toxic effects on people and the earth. The emails (hopefully soon) to be investigated were from individuals working in the EPA and for the largest agro-biotech company and worldwide producer of herbicides; ghostwriting studies about the health and safety of the toxic chemical in order to keep the billion-dollar product from vacating consumer’s shelves. Take action here and follow the NY times investigation here. Monsanto is the evil leader continuing to propagate GMO and GE seeds as well as their respective pesticides to farmers, ultimately killing biodiversity in agriculture (come on farmers, give it a go!) and in the environment. 

However, the advent of new ag-technology has it’s upsides too, including more energy efficiency, safer working conditions, and increased food production in urban areas leading ideally to less costs in terms of transportation and possibly even distribution. The question of whether Hydroponics and Aquaponics is good or bad has been prevalent among food industry leaders, including those older and younger generations of farmers. How do we adapt in this now-future of agriculture???  Not to mention, Trump’s proposed budget cuts…

Ultimately, I still advocate for growing, eating, and promoting Organics, because time and again, organic agriculture has been proven the healthiest for consumers and the planet. You can learn more about the National Organic Standard Board here and take action to defend Organics here!

NorCal Bill to Require Food Dye Labeling

“Should artificially colored foods carry warning labels about their potential impact on children’s behavior? California State Senator Bob Wieckowski thinks so. And he’s introduced a new bill (California SB 504) that would require warning labels on all food containing synthetic food dyes—including food sold in restaurants. If passed, it would be the first law of its kind on the state and federal level.

Since 2008, the European Union has required warning labels on food containing six synthetic colors—FD&C Red #40, FD&C Yellow #5 and #6, plus three colors not used in the U.S.; the same food dyes are banned outright in the U.K. These policies were enacted in response to a 2007 study that found links between these dyes and behavior changes in children that include hyperactivity.” – Civil Eats