LaDonna Redmond says she can get every kind of fried chicken, malt liquor and cigarette brand in her neighborhood on the south side of Chicago. She can find a semi-automatic weapon, heroine and cocaine. But you know what she can't get? An organic tomato...unless of course she grows it herself.
But it's better to hear it from LaDonna.
Melinda
A Commencement Speech for Us All
On May 19th I serendipitously tuned into one of my favorite radio programs: Democracy Now. Host Amy Goodman played the taped commencement speech soul-singer John Legend delivered at the U. of Pennsylvania.
Both insightful and inspiring, his speech resonated with me especially after visiting and "bearing witness" to the living and working conditions of tomato pickers in Immokalee, Florida. For a more humane and just world, when we see such atrocities, we must take action.
Check out Legend's speech on Democracy Now's website.
Both insightful and inspiring, his speech resonated with me especially after visiting and "bearing witness" to the living and working conditions of tomato pickers in Immokalee, Florida. For a more humane and just world, when we see such atrocities, we must take action.
Check out Legend's speech on Democracy Now's website.
Sustainability, Social Justice, and Starbucks
Interesting story about Starbucks in today's Alternet:
I called Starbucks' corporate office and learned that only 6% (SIX) of the coffee purchased by Starbucks is organic/fair trade. The rep. told me they hope to raise that to 80% by 2013. Time will tell.
In the meantime, Coffee-loving consumers can have a voice in the matter. Give Starbucks a call, send an email, and most important: use your coffee dollars as votes for fairly traded, shade-grown and organic coffee.
Think critically and eat well,
Melinda
I called Starbucks' corporate office and learned that only 6% (SIX) of the coffee purchased by Starbucks is organic/fair trade. The rep. told me they hope to raise that to 80% by 2013. Time will tell.
In the meantime, Coffee-loving consumers can have a voice in the matter. Give Starbucks a call, send an email, and most important: use your coffee dollars as votes for fairly traded, shade-grown and organic coffee.
Think critically and eat well,
Melinda
Is Organic More Nutritious?
While speaking at the West Virginia Dietetic Association last week, an audience member asked if I thought that organic food was more "nutritious."
I explained that food is more than a sum of nutrients, and that it really doesn't take a rocket scientist to connect the dots. Because organic agriculture protects our air, water, soil and pollinators, it makes sense that it would help protect our health in turn. If we think ecologically, we can understand how we all live downstream; all systems are interconnected.
As for whether it is more important to purchase some foods more than others with the "organic" label, look at like this: Even if we can peel a banana and therefore limit our self-exposure to pesticide residues on the peel, some child in South America will likely drink water that has been contaminated with pesticides used on that fruit. Choosing organically produced food protects eaters and producers.
We live on one small planet, and our food choices have far reaching consequences. For that reason, I gladly support organic farmers who produce a safer and in many cases more nutritious product for my family, and the planet all children will hopefully inherit.
Think critically and eat well,
Melinda "Food Sleuth" Hemmelgarn, M.S., R.D.
I explained that food is more than a sum of nutrients, and that it really doesn't take a rocket scientist to connect the dots. Because organic agriculture protects our air, water, soil and pollinators, it makes sense that it would help protect our health in turn. If we think ecologically, we can understand how we all live downstream; all systems are interconnected.
As for whether it is more important to purchase some foods more than others with the "organic" label, look at like this: Even if we can peel a banana and therefore limit our self-exposure to pesticide residues on the peel, some child in South America will likely drink water that has been contaminated with pesticides used on that fruit. Choosing organically produced food protects eaters and producers.
We live on one small planet, and our food choices have far reaching consequences. For that reason, I gladly support organic farmers who produce a safer and in many cases more nutritious product for my family, and the planet all children will hopefully inherit.
Think critically and eat well,
Melinda "Food Sleuth" Hemmelgarn, M.S., R.D.
Think Critically about the Food System
Let's agree that "good" food meets the following criteria:
1. It's nutritious, safe and tastes great.
2. Is grown without harm to the environment.
3. Is produced humanely.
4. Is accessible/affordable to all.
In order to find 'good' food, we must ask the following three questions:
1. Where does my food come from?
2. Who produced it?
3. Under what conditions?
Now let's use our forks and voices to vote for good food!
Eat well,
Melinda Hemmelgarn, M.S., R.D.
Food Sleuth, LLC
1. It's nutritious, safe and tastes great.
2. Is grown without harm to the environment.
3. Is produced humanely.
4. Is accessible/affordable to all.
In order to find 'good' food, we must ask the following three questions:
1. Where does my food come from?
2. Who produced it?
3. Under what conditions?
Now let's use our forks and voices to vote for good food!
Eat well,
Melinda Hemmelgarn, M.S., R.D.
Food Sleuth, LLC
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