7 Most Powerful Foodies

Fordes article names the world's seven most powerful foodies.  

 “Though still quite young, the movement to reform the American food system, from farm to diet, is one of the most hopeful social movements of our time,” says Michael Pollan. ”It had its roots in the 1970s with Francis Moore Lappe’s “Diet for a Small Planet” and Wendell Berry’s “The Unsettling of America.” The issue returned with Eric Schlosser’s landmark investigation, “Fast Food Nation.” Here are the movement’s most powerful voices.”

#1 Michelle Obama, First Lady, U.S.

#2 Marion Nestle, Professor, New York University

#3 Josh Viertel, President, Slow Food USA

#4 Will Allen, Urban Farmer, Growing Power

#5 Jack Sinclair, Head of Grocery, Wal-Mart

#6 Ken Cook, Executive Director, Environmental Working Group

#7 Mark Bittman, Columnist, The New York Times

 

Source: Forbes.com
http://www.forbes.com/sites/nicoleperlroth/2011/11/02/michael-pollan-the-worlds-7-most-powerful-foodies/

Good Food Film Countdown

If you are a foodie and movie lover, this contest is for you. Good Food Film Countdown


1. Visit the Good Food Film page on Snagfilms.com.

2. Click "Go" to sign in and vote for your favorite documentary and fictional film!

3. After November 28, the best film from each category will be announced!

The top 5  feature and documentary food films are:

Feature Film 

Ratatouille 

Chocolat  

Julie and Julia 

Fried Green Tomatoes  

Like Water for Chocolate 

  

Documentary

Food Inc.  

Supersize Me  

King Corn  

The Future of Food 

Kings of Pastry 

Film and food fans who vote for their top documentary and feature food film will be entered to win free food and environmentally safe products for a year from signature sponsors including Applegate, Stonyfield, Organic Valley, Nature's Path Organic, Earth Friendly Products, and a burrito party for 50 from Chipotle!

From now until November 28, 2011, you have the chance to pick the best documentary and feature food film of all time and win!

Additional sponsors for the Good Food Film Countdown include Whole Foods Market, Beanfields, Bon Appetit, Nutiva and FrogTV. A selection of food films are currently available for free streaming online via SnagFilms.com.

Information reprinted from Family Farmed e-mail blast.

Federal Contradiction?

Thanks to Parke Wilde and the U.S. Food Policy blog  Another food policy contradiction uncovered. This time the McRib is back and full of un-healthy surprises...

Federal policy and the McRib

"The McRib stands for the proposition that the federal government should help the pork industry promote any product, no matter how contrary to the government's own dietary guidance efforts in the midst of an epidemic of overweight and chronic disease."

Parke Wilde's insight raises a good point.  Whose interest is in the government's hands? Capitalism or Health?

Farm Bill - Addressing Food Deserts & Expanding Farmers Markets

The following are two additional pieces of legislation that address problems in our food systems.  


Please call your your state Senators and Representative in support of these Acts.  Once their administrative assistant answers the phone all you need to tell them is what bill you are calling about (include the number and name) and that you are in favor.  Most likely they will also ask for your zip code and/ or address.


The Community Agriculture Development and Jobs Act (H.R. 3225)  
Representative Marcy Kaptur (OH)

This bill would create an Office of Community Agriculture, specifically tasked with the responsibility of ensuring that existing USDA programs address the root causes of food deserts and food insecurity.


The Expanding Access to Farmers Markets Act (S. 1593)  
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (NY)

This bill designed to help SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as food stamps) participants use their benefits to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables by providing wireless EBT technology to farmers markets and other local food enterprises.

Diversity, Market Competition and the Farm Bill

You many wonder why the Farm Bill is important to you.  Or why you should support the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Opportunity Act of 2011 [H.R. 3236] and the Local Farms, Food, and Jobs Act of 2011 [S. 1773 and H.R. 3286].  Why support some legislation I know practically nothing about?


There are many beginning farmers starting their long careers in farming who need our assistance.  Since 1935 our country has gone from 6.8 million farms to less than 2 million farms in 1990 (USDA/Economic Research Service reports).  "In spite of the predominance of family farms, there is strong evidence of a trend toward concentration in agricultural production. By 1997, a mere 46,000of the two million farms in this country accounted for 50% of sales of agricultural products (USDA, 1997 Census of Agriculture data). That number was down from almost 62,000 in 1992. (EPA)"


In a country that prides itself on diversity and market competition, this loss of farms is staggering.   Especially when taken into consideration that our world population of 6 billion will grow to 8.3 billion by 2030 (FAO).  Not only do we need new farms for food production, but we need new farmers.  Today, 40% of our farmers in this country are 55 years old or older (Bureau of Labor Statistics).


My husband and I are one of the many who have taken up the call to go back to the land.  We are 34 and 30, respectively, and were not raised on a farm.  In fact we are recipients of the previous farm bill, as the farm business program we are attending, Stateline Farm Beginnings, is indirectly funded by USDA grant monies.


You can find stories of other beginning farmers in this New York Times article, Sheep Lawn Mowers, and Other Go-Getters.


Please support us and other beginning farmers in renewing our farm land.  Call your your state Senators and Representative in support of these Acts.  Once their administrative assistant answers the phone all you need to tell them is what Act you are calling about (include the number and name) and that you are in favor.  Most likely they will also ask for your zip code and/ or address.

Beginning Farmer and Rancher Opportunity Act of 2011 [H.R. 3236]
Link to text of legislation:  http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c112:H.R.3236:

• NSAC's webpage devoted to the bill

Local Farms, Food, and Jobs Act of 2011 [S. 1773 and H.R. 3286] 
Link to text of legislation:   http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c112:H.R.3286:

• Sen. Brown's press release
• Rep. Pingree's press release
• NSAC's press release
  
• NSAC's blog about the bill introduction
  
• NSAC's action alert on the bill
• NSAC's webpage devoted to the bill