The Nation Liza Featherstone A laughing baby is covered in baby food. He’s making a gushy mess, as babies do, but having a grand time. A magic word reassures us–before we’ve had a chance to worry–that the food itself is wholesome. That word, of course, is “organic.” More surprising, to many viewers of this advertisement,… Read more »

Mother Nature Network It’s not every market that offers free bike tune-ups or pork sliders. Feast your eyes on these campus standouts. Farmers markets are growing like pesticide-free kale these days. They fill a niche created by the growing ranks of conscious consumers in America who want to buy locally and responsibly sourced food and… Read more »

MLive.com – Michigan By Todd Chance GRAND RAPIDS, MI – What does “farm to fork” mean? What does it look like? With so many restaurants claiming to use local products to encourage the sustainability of our economy and planet, this phrase has been getting tossed around more than a Caesar salad lately. So, I decided… Read more »

It found those who ate the most increased their risk of dying prematurely by 44 percent WebMD By Steven Reinberg Grilled hot dogs and sausages may be tasty treats at ball games and picnics, but a new study of nearly 450,000 people finds that eating too much processed meat might shave years off your life…. Read more »

KHOU.com (this link is no longer available) by Shelly Slater DALLAS — Meet the leader of the Mohawk Militia: Patrick Stark. As executive chef of Sundown at Granada, he’s one of the first to revamp his entire menu to be GMO-free. There’s nothing that’s been “genetically modified” here — just natural, organic products. “It’s got an… Read more »

Michael Pollan discusses food production, consumer choices, the future of organics and climate change. By Mark Eisen, The Progressive Michael Pollan has got people talking. His recent books, The Omnivore’s Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals and In Defense of Food: An Eater’s Manifesto, have captured the public imagination, setting off countless coffee shop… Read more »

Common Dreams by Nadia Prupis Source: Center for Ecoliteracy/USDA “This program successfully disrupts the cycle of unhealthy, pre-packaged, heat and serve meals that dominate school kitchens.” When schools in California’s Sausalito Marin City District return to session this August, they will be the first in the nation to serve their students 100 percent organic meals,… Read more »

The New York Times by Stephanie Strom Source: Ntcrwler The trade associations representing the beef, pork and poultry industries are among the most powerful lobbies in Washington. And they are about to get some company. A new trade group, the Plant Based Foods Association, has been established to represent makers of proteins derived from peas,… Read more »

Mail & Guardian By Larry Elliot The past decade has seen the end of cheap oil, the magic growth ingredient for the global economy since World War II. Now the increase in the price of maize, wheat and soya beans in the past three months –  the third spike in the past five years –… Read more »

Advocates are cheered by the growing appeal of organic foods. But shoppers, confused by labels, don’t always get what they think they paid for. By Amanda Paulson Staff writer of The Christian Science Monitor CHICAGO – Buying organic milk these days – or organic apples, eggs, or beef – no longer has to mean an… Read more »