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    Thursday
    Sep022010

    The Week in Organic: Food News From the Web

    DateThursday, September 2, 2010 at 9:56AM

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    Wednesday
    Sep012010

    Organic Pick of the Week: Your Local Farmer

    DateWednesday, September 1, 2010 at 11:12AM

    Here at OrganicNation.tv, we're always testing new organic products to review for our Organic Pick of the Week series. So it's become easy to choose organic food, beauty and clothing brands that have fancy labeling and a marketing budget to send out samples.

    But I'd like to take this opportunity to feature what I consider to be the best organic product on the market: the one grown by your local farmer. In every region of the United States farmers are working hard to cultivate healthy and delicious crops with the simple goal of feeding you. Organic farmers have taken an extra step towards sustainability and invested a large chunk of money and time to grow food without harmful pesticides. That kind of dedication deserves our support.

    So this week I urge you to visit your local farmer's market, join a CSA or ask for local and organic produce at your neighborhood grocery store. If you're not sure where to get organic food in your region, check out localharvest.org to search by your state or zipcode.

    In the growing sustainable food movement, consumers have the power, so let's use it!

    -Dorothée

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    Tuesday
    Aug312010

    More Farmers Markets Accepting Food Stamps

    DateTuesday, August 31, 2010 at 12:06PM

    Getting healthy, high-quality produce in the hands of low-income people is one of the most important issues facing sustainable food advocates. Since the federal government replaced paper food stamps with debit cards more than five years ago, farmers market organizers have struggled to find ways to make market produce available to food stamp recipients.

    Today, about 40 million American receive food stamps, but introducing electronic benefit transfer machines to markets is expensive. Dozens of cities around the country have added EBT terminals over the past two years, and our hometown of Chicago finally joined in this summer, with all five city-run markets now accepting food stamps. (Check out the handsome video at the top of this post from Groundswell Films.)

    Making market produce available to food stamp recipients not only gives low-income shoppers access to good food, it also helps to support farmers by bringing more consumers (and federal funds) to markets. The next step for Chicago will be figuring out a way to make food stamp dollars go further, like in Boston, where shoppers receive double the value for food stamps spent at farmers markets.

    -Mark


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    Monday
    Aug302010

    New Film Trailer: A Recipe for Change

    DateMonday, August 30, 2010 at 10:48AM

    Many people are passionate about getting healthier food in school cafeterias, but it's a difficult issue to produce a compelling documentary about -- unless you find the right people and the right story.

    Filmmaker Richard Chisolm appears to have done just that in A Recipe for Change, a film about Tony Geraci, a chef from New Orleans, who leads a campaign to overhaul school lunch in the Baltimore school district. "The film takes the audience inside the process of reframing the relationship students have with food: where it comes from, how to prepare it, what to eat, and how it effects their bodies and their health," according to the synopsis.

    A Recipe for Change is scheduled for release later this year.

    -Mark

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    Thursday
    Aug262010

    The Week in Organic: Food News From the Web

    DateThursday, August 26, 2010 at 11:52AM

    • Grist's Tom Philpott uses this week's egg recall as a case study in why increased specialization and efficiency within the food system is less appealing than it might sound. 
    • Mobile Farm Trucks or Mobile Farmers’ Markets are cropping up in cities like Los Angeles, New York City, Portland, and San Francisco, according to Planet Green.
    • Think you know a lot about Trader Joe's? Fortune magazine takes an in-depth look at some of the grocer's more secretive practices. 
    • Reuters has a nice little video segment about rooftop farms in NYC.
    • The egg industry took out full-page ads in the New York Times and USA Today yesterday. Nutritionist Marion Nestle annotated it at her Food Politics blog.
    • Endless Simmer offers 100 ways to use tomatoes (with photos).
    • An article in the Chicago Reader looks at the difficulty urban farmers are having connecting with consumers in some African-American communities.
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    Tuesday
    Aug242010

    New Video: Mission Pie, San Francisco

    DateTuesday, August 24, 2010 at 9:00AM

    Mission Pie is an organic bakery and neighborhood café in the Mission District of San Francisco. They make savory and sweet pies all year round using fresh, seasonal ingredients. By forming strategic partnerships with local farms like Pie Ranch, they can source large quantities of produce and even organic wheat!

    Co-owners Karen Heisler and Krystin Rubin believe that "businesses should operate from a values position" and have made it their mission to bring sustainable food to a broader population. As Krystin mentions in the video,

    "There is something humble about pie and very accessible. A lot of what we're talking about when we're talking about engaging in local agriculture and the food system and all of that are some rarefied concepts to a lot of people, but pie isn't. It's a very gentle way to open up those conversations."

    Mission Pie also collaborates with local youth advocacy organizations to provide a positive work environment to disadvantaged teenagers in the San Francisco area. As a thriving, progressive, for-profit business, they are a great example of a company that reinvests productively and creatively not just in the quality of their ingredients and equipment, but in the lives of the people and communities around them.

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    Wednesday
    Aug182010

    Trading the Pool for an Organic Greenhouse

    DateWednesday, August 18, 2010 at 3:53PM

    During a severe drought in the 1970s, many homeowners were forced to drain their swimming pools, creating a venue for the Z-Boys, a group of underground skateboarders, to invent aerial skateboarding. This summer, a family in Mesa, AZ drained their swimming pool and is looking to start a similar groundswell in the realm of organic food production.

    The Garden Pool family (who aren't identified on the website), bought their home in October 2009 with hopes of producing their own food. "We had planned to be food self-sufficient by 2012 but we made it by mid-2010," they write in the YouTube video description. 

    The swimming pool area is used for aquaponics tilapia production, and the family grows a wide variety of fruits and vegetables in rain gutters and five-gallon buckets. They also keep laying hens, catfish, and they even have dwarf lemons and mandarin orange trees.

    For more on Garden Pool, check out their website.

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    Monday
    Aug162010

    Fairfood International: Eat Fair, Beat Hunger

    DateMonday, August 16, 2010 at 11:46AM

    Did you know that every day, 25,000 people die from hunger related causes? That is one person every 3.5 seconds. And yet, ironically, there is enough food in the world for everyone. Fairfood International believes that part of the solution to hunger and poverty lays in establishing increasingly sustainable trade agreements.

    Fairfood is an Amsterdam-based nonprofit that works on a number of social, environmental and economic issues and is committed to the improvement of working conditions across the globe, putting an end to environmentally damaging practices and making trade sustainable. I'm happy to report that the organization has recently opened an office in San Francisco and will be expanding their reach towards improving the sustainability of the American food industry. So watch out Big Ag!

    How can you help? Fairfood provides a variety of ways to participate whether signing up for their newsletter, joining their online geek team or taking the Fairfood pledge. You can also follow them on Twitter and Facebook.

    -Dorothée



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    Friday
    Aug062010

    Organic Pick of the Week: John Masters Natural Mineral Sunscreen

    DateFriday, August 6, 2010 at 12:35PM

    Like most Chicagoans, summer is a time when I get outside to tank up on sunshine. But with fair skin, I always have to be careful of too much sun exposure so I'm always on the lookout for a good sunscreen.

    On a recent trip to Nantucket, I got a chance to try out John Masters Organics SPF 30 Mineral Sunscreen during a week of sailing, swimming and biking around the island. Not only did I return with a nice tan (look, no sunburns Mom!), I really enjoyed the light-weight and fragrance free formula.

    Environmental Working Group recently did a safety study about sunscreen and they determined that "mineral sunscreens have the best safety profile of today’s choices. They are stable in sunlight and do not appear to penetrate the skin." John Masters Organics sunscreen combines titanium dioxide and zinc oxide for skin protection and includes shea butter, green tea extract and jojoba for their moisturizing and anti-oxidant properties. The cream does not contain nano-particles and is fully bio-degradable.

    At 32 bucks a pop, this sunscreen is on the higher end of choices on the market but I think it's a worthwhile purchase, even if you decide to use it only on your face.

    -Dorothée

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    Tuesday
    Aug032010

    Fundraiser for Chicago's Largest Community Vegetable Garden on August 5th!

    DateTuesday, August 3, 2010 at 9:02AM

    Join The Peterson Garden Project on August 15th for an adventure in community gardening – retro style!

    WHO: The Peterson Garden Project is an organic, community vegetable garden on the southwest corner of Peterson and Campbell in Chicago’s 40th Ward. The garden contains 157 raised-bed gardens, and is Chicago’s largest community garden devoted to growing edibles. The site was part of an original WW2 Victory Garden from 1942-1945, and was re-launched for Chicago residents who, like those gardeners almost 70 years ago, want to work with their neighbors to grow their own food. The project was founded by LaManda Joy, an award-winning gardener who blogs about urban gardening at The Yarden.

    WHAT: A wine tasting fundraiser from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 5 to raise money for the garden and a documentary about the project entitled “Victory! The Home-grown Documentary". Tickets range from $40 to $85, and can be purchased here.

    WHY: Local chefs Kathy Skutecki, Chris Stoye, The Scrumptious Pantry’s Lee Greene, Celeste Dolan and Tracy Kellner of Provenance Food & Wine will offer appetizers accompanied by an assortment of fine wines from Vinejoy. Folk musician Alison O’Konis will provide the evening’s music. Local jewelry studio gray workshop will show new jewelry designs, and proceeds from sales will benefit The Peterson Garden Project. 

    Be sure to check out The Peterson Garden Project on Twitter and Facebook as well!

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    Monday
    Aug022010

    Books We Like: The Kind Diet

    DateMonday, August 2, 2010 at 11:10AM

    Is it possible to eat consciously while being kind to yourself, your community and your planet?

    Written by Alicia Silverstone, The Kind Diet is not your typical celebrity-endorsed food regime. In fact, the noted actress and animal advocate has created a comprehensive guide to transitioning to a healthier (and kinder) way of eating, living and caring for the Earth. And, it happens to be fun!

    In the first half of the book, Silverstone gets the tone right by providing helpful facts about conventional agriculture and the meat industry without sounding shrill or preachy. She also provides nutritional facts and answers to common questions about plant-based diets like "How do I get my omega-3s?" and "Should I eat organic produce?" This section made me newly inspired to commit to a healthier and more sustainable approach to food (more veggies, less processed food, reduced meat, dairy and sugar intake).

    Silverstone then describes three types of eating for flirts, vegans and superheroes. This allows the reader to engage at whatever level they're comfortable and move at their own pace toward a healthier lifestyle. Alicia's straight-forward approach shows her knowledge of human nature and the difficulties people face in eating consciously day-to-day. She provides a list of transition foods (like Vegenaise and Tofurky) and factors in challenges like how to deal with cravings, what to do when you're invited to a dinner party and how to choose "kind" foods while traveling.

    The third section of the book is filled with delicious, drool-inducing vegan recipes from her Radicchio Pizza with Truffle Oil to Candied Ginger Pears and even her mom's granola recipe. The meals are simple and sometimes surprising but always something that I can imagine cooking for myself (which is a big deal since I'm often impatient in the kitchen!) These recipes display more than Silverstone's passion for vegan food, they show a true sense of joy in cooking and finding nourishment in eating with friends, family and community.

    Be sure to check out the book's companion website The Kind Life for daily tips and a lively forum about food, health, style and the environment.

    -Dorothée

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    Wednesday
    Jul212010

    Video: The (toxic!) Story of Cosmetics

    DateWednesday, July 21, 2010 at 11:51AM

    Did you know that many cosmetics contain carcinogens and neurotoxins and that unlike food, the personal care industry is not regulated by a governmental body to ensure safety?

    In this new video from The Story of Stuff Project, Annie Leonard examines the pervasive use of toxic chemicals in our everyday personal care products, from lipstick to baby shampoo. It serves as a great introduction to this issue by revealing the implications for consumer and worker health and the environment, and outlines ways we can move the industry away from hazardous chemicals and towards safer alternatives.

    Help get toxic products off the shelves! Support legislation aimed at ensuring the safety of cosmetics and personal care products by sending an email to your representative today. And to find out what's in your products and search for healthy alternatives, check out Environmental Working Group's Cosmetic Safety Database.

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    Thursday
    Jul152010

    Organic Pick of the Week: Sophyto

    DateThursday, July 15, 2010 at 11:58AM

    Sophyto Organic Skin Care was created after 8 years of research and development, working with complete whole organic nutrients. The company's motto is that "Not all Organic Skin Care Products Are Created Equal" - and I have to agree. After using Sophyto's gentle but effective products during a busy month of travel, I can attest to it's rejuvenating effects. Despite hours in the car and days spent visiting farms and hiking in the sun, my skin feels more toned and supple than ever before.

    My favorite product is their Tone and Balance Super Bioactive. Though the name sounds intense, this toner is really just a delicious mix of restorative ingredients including aloe vera, dandelion and elder berry that balance your skin's PH level (it feels super refreshing to splash on your face after a shower, before you put on makeup or a moisturizer).

    I also highly recommend their Purifying Active Mask. I have sensitive skin so most face masks tend to sting or leave my skin feeling raw. This mask is a clear, light-weight substance that feels like food for the skin. Some key ingredients include amino acids, proteins and vitamins derived from green single-cell freshwater micro-algae that neutralize the damaging effects of environmental pollutants, help reduce pore size and improve elasticity. If you want your skin to feel smooth, hydrated and have that extra glow, this mask is the definitely the way to go.

    Sophyto products are free from petrochemicals, parabens, fillers and binders, artificial fragrances and essential oils (which can cause irritation). The company's agricultural raw materials come from certified suppliers who support a number of community projects in countries like Bulgaria, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Nepal, South Africa, Italy, India, Somalia and many others. They work closely with local farmers and producers, offering financial support as well as managing their exports.

    You can order Sophyto products online at Bella Floria, which is a great resource for organic and non-toxic beauty products.

    -Dorothée

    Full Disclosure: Bella Floria is one of the fabulous natural beauty brands that partnered with us for our Southwest Tour.

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    Wednesday
    Jul142010

    Films We Like: Mr. Okra

    DateWednesday, July 14, 2010 at 10:21AM

    Take a minute to enjoy this trailer for Mr. Okra, a 10-minute short film from Nom de Guerre Films that I discovered this morning. The film follows Mr. Okra (aka Arthur Robinson), a New Orleans man who sells fresh fruit and veggies from the back of a truck.

    From the film synopsis:

    "In a city known for its music and food…and its characters, Mr. Okra travels the back streets of the Bywater, Tremé and 9th ward, selling his vegetables from his iconic truck…one okra at a time.  His unique promotion has made him a fixture in New Orleans and an integral part of the fabric of this community."

    As Mr. Okra explains in the film, "Ain't no use to cookin if you ain't gonna cook with fresh food."

    -Mark

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    Tuesday
    Jun292010

    New Video: Does America Have a Water Crisis? 

    DateTuesday, June 29, 2010 at 10:59AM

    Have you ever considered how much it costs to keep unlimited clean water flowing into your faucets at home? Or how much water goes into growing all the food that you eat? Can you imagine our supply of water running out?

    These are topics we explored during our interview with Robert Glennon, Professor of Law and Public Policy at the University of Arizona and author of Unquenchable: America's Water Crisis and What To Do About It. He's on a mission to hold government and individuals responsible for true stewardship of our our most valuable natural resource: water.

    Glennon explains that it took thousands of years for water to accumulate in our underground aquifers but we're pumping it out in mere decades. Consider these events that have occurred in the last two years:

    • Lake Lanier, the water supply for Atlanta, a metropolitan area of 4.5 million people, came within 90 days of going dry.
    • In the summer of 2009, California faced mandatory water rationing. Many farmers could have been entirely cut off, costing the economy more than $1 billion and putting more than 50,000 people out of work.
    • Lake Superior, the earth’s largest freshwater body, was too shallow to float fully-loaded cargo ships.
    • Decimated salmon runs prompted cancellation of the commercial fishing season off the coast of California and Oregon.
    • Excessive groundwater pumping has caused sinkholes, earth fissures, and subsidence in geographic regions that range from California to Florida.

    Glennon believes that America must make hard choices—and his answer is a provocative market-based system that values water as a commodity and a fundamental human right. He advocates creating legal and financial incentives to encourage conservation and smart re-use of water.

    For example, because cheap water is essential for running factories and even the tech industry, he thinks companies should be charged for the real cost of what they consume. He also wants to support farmers in achieving more efficient watering methods such as drip tape irrigation and growing higher nutrient crops that are adapted to the growing climate.

    He cites his home town of Tucson as an example of innovation because instead of getting rid of water that was used only once, the city diverts grey water into gulf courses, highway medians, parks and light industrial uses. But in most of our nation's cities, there's still a long way to go in preserving our water supply. Whether you agree that we should pay more for our water or not, Glennon's analysis certainly makes you think differently about wasting what comes out of the tap...

    -Dorothée and Mark
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