Are you movement?
(Steps to becoming a Locivore--A video by Chelsea Hernandez, who is not affiliated with GastroNomalies.com)
Guestblogged by Ali Savino
I know many of us here consider ourselves to be part of the progressive movement. And for those of us who have been around for a while, we remember how lonely and uncertain it was. There was nothing but uphill battles to be fought against political Goliaths who had industry and riches behind them. And there was no way a rag tag bunch of outsiders armed with nothing but a little online savvy and a lot of righteous outrage was going to take on the system. But we proved everyone wrong, and while the fight is not over (Universal Healthcare) and there is still work to be done (public financing), no one can say that the progressive movement isn't a force to be reckoned with.
Now there are some new kids in town. Like the progressive movement, they have huge, fearsome opponents with an endless supply of funds. Like the early years of the progressive movement, no one is taking these new comers seriously yet. Like the progressive movement they are up against unbelievable odds. Yet their cause is true and right and they cannot fail.
They are the food movement.
The food movement encompasses an extensive battlefield covering everything from energy independence to salmonella outbreaks to equitable trade policies to caring for the neediest among us here and abroad. Their opponent is Big Food, with more resources than Big Oil and lessons learned from Big Tobacco. They are masters of manipulation and keepers of Congress, and for decades they have run amok unchallenged. But the status quo is changing. Organics are no longer the realm of the DFHs. Americans are asking why there is recall after recall. Food prices sky rocketed last year. Obesity exploded in the last decade. There is something very, very wrong about what we eat and how we eat it.
As for me, I became interested in food policy after learning about soil depletion and how it is leaving our produce with fewer and fewer nutrients. That's right - even if you're eating your carrots and apples, you STILL may not be getting your daily allowance of vitamins. And the kick in the shins? Those dietary requirements are written by food lobbyists who are motivated only by their bottom line. So who really knows anymore? That's what the food movement is all about - giving people the access and information to start making food choices for themselves instead of Madison Avenue telling us all what to eat.
The food movement has some good starts. Books by people like Michael Pollan, Eric Schlosser, and Mark Bittman are national best sellers. Movies like Supersize Me, Fast Food Nation, Food Inc and the upcoming Fresh are bringing the issues to the masses. Me? Along with several other fab food policy bloggers (check out my blogroll for some great suggestions) I’m doing my part to bring food policy into the realm of food consumers with GastroNomalies.com.
GastroNomalies isn’t for the wonks – it’s for the rest of us who are just trying to figure this food stuff out and have a lot of fun doing it. Because food is FUN and if it stops being fun, then what are we all doing this for?
The food movement shares many common values and several common goals with the progressive movement. The two are natural allies. So stop on by.
Ali Savino is the founder of www.GastroNomalies.com
This is a movement whose time has come. I don't tell people to stop eating meat, but to start buying grass-fed. Not only do we eat out of our organic garden here at home, but also participate in the community garden with plans on giving that extra food away. And here's an important source of information: http://acresusa.com This magazine concentrates on sustainable agriculture. If it isn't sustainable, we shouldn't be doing it.
"Courtesy is owed. Respect is earned. Love is given." --Unknown author, found in Guide to Texas Etiquette by Kinky Friedman
This is really heartwarming and encouraging - and I'll look forward to more updates and have bookmarked your site.
Other resources to share with you, which I think are barely emerging now and will be making an impact over the next 18 months and more:
http://www.goodguide.com/
This is a database that is a start toward helping people understand the true impacts of their actions; we all make trade-offs, but it would nice if some of the easier choices became 'second nature' to more people. The potential for grocery (and other) items to be 'rated' and the ratings easily accessed on a cell phone while shopping will probably start to change some buying behaviors in the coming year. It'll be interesting to see what happens.
Also, the 'food movement' is, IMHO, one area that really does not lend itself to Dem/Rep breakdowns in any realistic fashion. It will push for the reimplementing usury laws -- if only to help smaller scale, locally based ag producers who can be little economic engines if they can get out from under usury economics.
This isn't 'conservative' and it's not 'liberal'. And better, saner food policies will have to start changing land use incentives -- right now, large mega developers can buy up cheap farmland and convert to auto lots and malls. We've killed the soils beneath asphalt and its no surprise at all that we've seen increased obesity and lower nutrition.
So many related issues, so little time!
Thrilled to see this post here ;-))
So glad to see this posted. I have been really interested in these movements lately and there are many of them in Humbolt County, Ca where I live.
As a matter of fact, this organization created a large farm across the street from my house in Arcata,
http://www.arcatacsa.com/
There is so much money behind agribusiness that this is the only way to beat them is to undermine their sales and profits.
It is important to remember that the last time we had a depression many people had farms or at least were familiar with basic farming skills.
Now a lot of people have know idea where their food comes from or even what the name of it is.
There were statistics taken at the beginning of WWII on the general health of the population joining the military. Folks were more rural, had gardens to help eat during the Depression (when that generation was growing up) and generally the dairy and produce was not shipped all the way across the country (though meat was.) Feedlots were not the norm. America's food was not generally sprayed with pesticides yet and fertilizer was still the manure spread from the farm's livestock. And we all know what farming has become, for the most part.
"Courtesy is owed. Respect is earned. Love is given." --Unknown author, found in Guide to Texas Etiquette by Kinky Friedman
to improve the eating habits and standards of poor people in the urban UK. Ironic that urban British people could afford better food when they had ration books and the gov enforced food price caps on retailers.
It was different for rural Brits, as they had access to locally raised food and hunting gathering. Now we are going full circle, the urban poor of the US, Europe and the world are addicted to fast junk food, exactly the same as 100 years ago. Food quality goes down, peoples lift expectancy and general health drop like a stone.
Which is prob a crime these days, there was some thing introduced about defaming corporations about five or more years ago.
Prob to do with that campaign against MacD.
Late 08 or early 09, the FDA and other feds SWAT raided that farm food coop, big food is watching and trying to fight back using the state machine to protect private profits.
Ditto with the people making diesel in their garages, people have been raided and shut down for doing this, even tho its 100% legal.
Theres a war brewing for our taxes and enforced participation in the consumer over priced market place.
Because on the front page I see a feature calling for everyone to go to BratFest and eat unhealthy sausages made from who knows what (besides abused animals, obviously). It even brags about the event holding the record for eating brats. What's so progressive about encouraging the overconsumption of meat? This looks like my hometown newspaper.
...within any progressive movement:
"You're not Progressive unless you're like me!"
"Courtesy is owed. Respect is earned. Love is given." --Unknown author, found in Guide to Texas Etiquette by Kinky Friedman
You might want to look up the meanings of "status quo" and "progressive"
I do think that there is a weird fetishization of meat in this country - check out the way that Madison Ave sells hamburgers, its becoming all sex. I suspect part of it is a backlash to the 'eat healthy' mantra. It's not good (the backlash) and we need to find ways to engage in the conversation in ways that people can relate.
What could be cooler than raising an animal in horrible conditions, slaugtering it and then using it to make "art"?
http://www.GastroNomalies.com/2009/05/it-all-...
Time for food to evolve.
...that baby steps are still forward movement.
I do not eat meat and yet, as I said above, don't lecture others on this point. Ranting will not change anyone's minds. Discussing without pointing fingers, might. Participating in community gardens will for sure. Yesterday the one here in East Texas had a potluck with grass-fed beef as the bar-b-q centerpiece; I ate a lot of cole slaw and such, and listened to the discussion going around about "I haven't had meat this good since I was a kid!" That's progress. It came from a local farm, too.
I don't smoke, either, yet support legalization of marijuana as well as pointing out that the primary problems with tobacco are the additives therein, and suggest that people recognize that both these plants are sacred and treat them as such. Oh-- and I consider the meme that "its hard to quit" as one created and promoted by the tobacco industry. Wasn't hard for me to quit-- either one. I simply DID it.
"Progressive" is a word generally used in the context of improving one's life by becoming more aware and pro-active, breaking away from the disempowerment and disenfranchisement thrust upon us by the big-moneyed interests. In this particular discussion, it's used to show how one's own health can be improved by learning how to improve our eating habits. For some, this will lead to eating a higher quality of meat, raised on pasture and treated humanely. For others, it may well create a mind-set in which questioning is encouraged, and making more intelligent decisions based on awareness of not only our own health, but our impact on our world.
"Courtesy is owed. Respect is earned. Love is given." --Unknown author, found in Guide to Texas Etiquette by Kinky Friedman
I generally don't eat meat myself, and I think everyone needs to cut waaay back on the animal meat. But I don't think its a good idea to tell people they can't have meat at all and they are a bad person if they do - its not constructive, nor is it something that people are ready to accept. I'd rather shift the discussion to 'less meat', not 'no meat'.
And yes, I do a lot of fun meat posts on the site - check out my bacon tag. First off, I do think its funny - and I'm a big proponent of keeping food fun. Secondly, I want to bring meat eaters into the discussion, not scare them off.
Here's a recent article I stumbled upon calling for a Moratorium of Genetically Modified food:
http://www.financialsense.com/editorials/engd...
I highly recommend two films now on Netflix: "Flow" is a documentary about the international move to privatize all fresh water. And along those lines check out the YouTube "The Great Water Heist" which refers to Russ Feingold's new legislation calling for the federal government to control ALL water from ALL sources in the country. Even a well, a stream, a pond or whatever on your private property.
And the other documentary is called, "King Corn". It's about two college age guys who have their hair analyzed and discover that they are now mostly made of CORN. Due to the adding of high fructose CORN syrup to all processed foods. They go to Iowa and grow an acre of "fructose" corn and you won't believe what they discover.
Plus it's not just the food we eat we need to be concerned about. I believe it's the plastic additive BPA (bisphenal A) that is in the lining of ALL cans (except Eden I believe). Plus we've had a hell of time finding toothpaste or laundry detergent or hand/body soaps without sodium laureth sulfate. In doing the research to find even toothpaste without flouride we discovered that many carcinogenic ingredients do NOT have to be listed on labels as they are considered to be "contaminants" NOT "ingredients".
And one more health related item: The new compact flourescent light bulbs. They are so dangerous as to the amount of mercury in each bulb that according to the EPA's website if one is broken the house should be vacated for 15 minutes and a Hazmat suit should be donned plus a mask for cleanup. If a vacuum is used the bag should be discarded at a proper recycling center. We took 2 bulbs to be recycled the other day and the guy put GLOVES ON and they were in a ziplock bag!
To think that 99% of the average Joe and Jane will simply toss those old bulbs in the trash. Where they will end up in landfills and then they'll eventually poison the ground water. Walmart just boasted that they've already sold 250,000,000 CFL's!! And many countries, including Australia have a mandate that by the end of this year ALL lightbulbs sold must be CFL's! Check out the fine print on the labels of these bulbs.
This is right up there with DDT, Asbestos etc. There should be an immediate moratorium on CFL's AND GM seeds/food!
"The US has an army of 90,000 soldiers in Afghanistan and is spending $100bn a year, but has still been unable to defeat 20,000-25,000 Taliban who receive no pay at all." - Patrick Cockburn
You are what you don't excrete...
You ever feel like you dropped a log?
Diabolus est Deus Inversus
Is an excrete an ex-patriot of Crete?
Diabolus est Deus Inversus
Bowel?
Diabolus est Deus Inversus
We are being systematically poisoned by the food Industry. Aspartame, MSG, Genetically modified Foods, High fructose corn syrup, hydrogenated oils and literally thousands of other hidden chemicals that are being put into your food and beverages are having long term serious health consequences for millions of Americans.
Adult onset diabetes in teenagers which was unheard of a generation ago is now widespread. We are now the fattest country on the globe!
Also most of the personal products we use such as Soap, Shampoo, Toothpaste, deodorant, make up, skin products and most of the household cleaners, laundry soaps, air fresheners, dryer sheets and on and on are loaded with toxic chemicals which are readily absorbed into your lungs as you breathe them or through your skin if you apply them.
The toxic build up is almost inevitable. Eventually your immune system will be compromised and you will start having health problems.
Then you can be turned over to the American health system which will finish you off with more chemicals disguised as life saving or miracle drugs!. Drugs do not cure anything! drugs treat symptoms! If you want to get healthy you must treat the root cause of the problem not treat the symptoms!
Practically everything we consume or use in our daily lives has toxins that accumulate in our bodies and eventually compromise our health. This is done with the full knowledge and consent of the crooked FDA who is nothing more than a rubber stamp for the Food, Chemical and Pharmaceutical industry. A quick look at the FDA board membership tells you all you need to know. It's a who's who of ex Food industry and Big Pharma executives who are far more interested in keeping their former employers happy than protecting your health and well being.
Knowledge is power! Get educated! There are alternatives for nearly all of the poisonous products being sold to us. The internet is a wonderful tool to find the information you need to help get the toxins out of your daily life. Check out alternatives to the medical industry too and learn how diet modification, exercise and nutritional supplements can make your immune system as strong as it can be!
I recommend getting involved in your local Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), if you can. The idea behind CSA is that you buy a "share" of the produce harvested at a local (often organic) farm, providing them with start-up capital, ensuring the farmer revenue and helping to keep the farmer out of debt. And you receive a "share" of the harvest as a variety of fruits, vegetables, herbs, and sometimes eggs, become available.
This year I bought a half-share for my fiancee and I. I paid $300. I get a bag of produce roughly the size of a grocery paper bag every other week delivered to a central location in my town, which I pick up. The season goes for 22 weeks, June through November. If I make a trek out to the farm (about an hour drive), I get U-Pick items for free, herbs from the greenhouse for free, and a 25% discount on grass fed beef and chicken, and farm-fresh eggs.
The farm from which I participate in CSA employs sustainable agricultural techniques and harvests all organic produce. $300 may seem like a lot, but the value is quite worth it, in my opinion.
Google "CSA" to find local CSA's in your community, if you're interested.
However I started vegetable gardening this spring, and I have no idea how much produce to expect. Also, I'm single, and most CSA shares would be way more than I can eat.
Ali
http://sunnyspot.stardigs.com/?p=1241
Thanks for the kind words. Sorry I wasn't here yesterday to chat in the comments - I've been at a wedding in Utah all weekend, hence why the site has been lite on posts.
I'm really excited about this project - I believe that foodies are a hot bed of progressives that we should be working with!
Ali
PS - any food suggestions while I'm in Salt Lake city?
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