Robyn O’Brien’s book title is a mouthful in itself – The Unhealthy Truth: One Mother’s Shocking Investigation into the Dangers of America’s Food Supply – and What Every Family Can Do to Protect Itself. A former food industry analyst, Fulbright grant recipient, and mother of four, O’Brien brings insight and detailed analysis to her research into the impact that the global food system is having on our health. Watch this video of her speech at the TED Austin
http://www.wimp.com/realfood/… Continue Reading ...
Sweet Potatoes Contain Protective Antioxidants
An article in Farmers’ Markets Today reports that caffeoylquinic acids, which are known for their antioxidant activities, were found in measurable amounts in sweet potatoes by ARS scientists. The highest levels of the compounds were found in the layer of tissue just under the skin, intermediate levels were found in the interior of the sweet potato, and the lowest levels were found in the skin. The research was published in the Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science.… Continue Reading ...
Social Justice and Local Food
“When you buy from farms that treat their workers fairly, you are helping to limit the cruel conditions for farm workers. And although it’s not always possible to find out, knowing your farm vendor or visiting his or her farm (or Web site) may give you some idea of how the staff is treated. Your food dollar votes for everything it takes to make that food, including the treatment of the people who grow it.” -Amy Cotler, from The Locavore … Continue Reading ...
How Close Can a Farmers Market Be to a Train Track?
Check out this farmers market challenged by a train. The market shown in the video is one located at Maeklong (Maekrong) a town near Bangkok. A news photo of the market from 2001 has the following caption: “Thai vegetable market vendors pull back temporary shades and their produce off a railway track to allow a cross-country train to pass through the middle of the town of Maekrong, 60 kilometers west of Bangkok, April 5, 2001. The bustling market, in the … Continue Reading ...
Roundup Resistant Superweeds March Throughout the U.S.
I’ve now seen two articles in the last week about weeds that are resistant to Roundup from Monsanto. In case you forgot, about 20 years ago Monsanto introduced Roundup Ready seeds and herbicides. Roundup Ready seeds were genetically modified to have an immunity to Roundup, an herbicide. Farmers could then use Roundup on their crops and not destroy valuable food crops. 90 percent of the nation’s soybeans and 70 to 80 percent of our corn and cotton are Roundup Ready … Continue Reading ...