BusinessWeek.com: Welcome to the dietgeist, BW — the top bizmag says a movement to celebrate local farmers is sweeping the country. While Whole Foods has led the way among corporations, other food chains are also playing up local produce, including Kroger, Publix, and Food Lion. Even Wal-Mart is running a “Salute to America’s Farmers” program across several states. We can’t believe no one’s done a reality show about farmers yet…
The Record (Canada): Ontario dairyman Michael Schmidt has ended his 28-day hunger strike, saying he needs to be clear-headed to carry on his battle to legalize the sale of raw milk. Raw-milk detective David Gumpert has a good post about why it’s OK for Schmidt to “end his strike simply based on the fact that he inspired a debate to take place.”
San Francisco Chronicle: For the first time, the USDA will release a database containing all the names of those who received last year’s $56 billion in subsidies, but it’s too big to put online. The Environmental Working Group intends to try.
Santa Cruz Sentinel: The already quite awesome Jim Cochran of Swanton Berry Farm has founded Farms Not Arms to promote peace activism among farmers. He also wants to work with veterans groups to set up paid work on American farms for the war-weary and injured veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. [Via I Heart Small Farms]
San Francisco Chronicle: How to have a luscious, ridiculously easy 100-Mile Feast in the Bay Area for Christmas.
BusinessWeek.com: David Gumpert, who we’re pleased to hear will have a regular column for BW, looks at Michigan’s mandatory implementation of the USDA’s supposedly voluntary National Animal Identification System (NAIS) program.
Boston Globe: Boston is considering NYC’s lead and banning trans fats in restaurants.
Chicago Sun Times: Mayor Richard Daley goes on a rant about the folly of banning foie gras, restricting trans fats, and mandating calorie counts.
New York Times: Do maple syrups have “terroir”?
San Francisco Chronicle: Carol Ness goes deep into that overlooked citrus, the tangerine — now appearing in various forms at Bay Area farmers markets.
Reuters/MSN: Italian researchers are saying that moderate amounts of alcohol daily may lead to a long life. Alcohol with a meal, in the Mediterranean fashion, is preferable, and must be avoided for the rest of the day. The article does not specify the type of alcohol used in the studies.
New York Times: Kim Severson’s amusing and yes, heartwarming, story of a soup-kitchen chef who uses the best ingredients he can lay hands on.
Organic Consumers Association: The USDA has appointed two representatives from General Mills and Campbell’s to positions on the National Organic Standards Board, and organic watchdogs like the OCA are girding for battle.
Food Marketing Institute: An encouraging survey conducted jointly by FMI and the Rodale Institute’s Prevention magazine shows 44% of participants purchased organic fruits and vegetables in the past six months vs. 37% last year, and 71% of participants believe the food they eat at home is healthier than meals consumed out.
Food, Farming, & Food Politics events calendar
Humor:
December 21st, 2006 at 8:01 am
” We can’t believe no one’s done a reality show about farmers yet…”
Didn’t that Hilton woman go to a farm at some point?
December 21st, 2006 at 11:12 am
Thanks for posting the information about our organization:
Farms Not Arms