The Prairie Green Party has been sponsoring informal discussion events called "Green Teas" that revolve around many community and Green issues. There's usually a speaker brought in and discussion follows afterward. These are great and informative events that everyone is encouraged to come to!
This week's topic: Local food. The Green Tea will be on Monday October 15th, 7:30pm at the Urbana Free Library Auditorium. Details are below. The Green Party has always believed that purchasing local food (or anything local for that matter) is usually the most ecologically and sustainable approach to living one's life. People are now paying attention to what's in their food and what goes into their bodies. The recent organic boom is evidence of this. (Note to self: buy Whole Foods stock.)
Reasons to eat locally:
Short distance from farm to dinner plate = less fossil fuel usage
Taste a whole lot better and is good for you!
Support local farmers and businesses
Come out and learn about the benefits of eating locally!
Here is the text of the flyer that we're posting around the community:
The Benefits of Eating Locally
Eric Wilson and Julie Zielinski
recently completed a month long
experiment of only eating food
grown within 100 miles of Champaign-
Urbana. At this month's Green Tea, they
will be discussing their experience and
where to find local ingredients. Come and
learn how eating locally can benefit the
environment, economy, and your health.
Local snacks, drinks , and discussion
will be served.
Monday, October 15th at 7:30pm
Urbana Free Library Auditorium
Green Tea Discussions Sponsored by the
Prairie Green Party of East Central Illinois.
A different topic every third Monday of the
month - same time and location. Membership
meetings are on the first Monday of the month
at 7:30pm in the Family Room of the Independent
Media Center. All are welcome.
For more information, visit:
www.prairiegreens.org
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Thanks for posting this. My wife and I do this personally, but I'm hoping that this can be turned into a consumer ed unit (perhaps with less direct polemics and more allowing kids to discover for themselves the pros and cons of where they choose to eat...)
My wife and I were in Chicago this weekend and attended the Naturally Healthy Children's Expo, which was just great. One of the speakers mentioned that the food industry is actually the biggest polluter in the world today. He mentioned that most food that we eat has 1500 miles on it - in other words the average piece of food purchased at a supermarket or restaurant has traveled 1500 miles to make it to your plate. He of course mentioned this as we were snacking on a bag of carrots purchased at Target. Uh oh.
Super important topic. We are really blessed to have Strawberry Fields in this town, even with the weirdness that has been going on in the last couple of months. And our farmer's markets are a family's best friend. I think anyone with children should give serious thought to the food that you are placing in front of them on a daily basis - where it comes from, what chemicals were made to produce it, what alternatives there might be to that food that would be healthier for your child. It is just really, really easy to make different choices for your family these days.
Oh, please. Another feelgood but useless endeavor.
We have three children. We feed them from Schnucks and County Market.
Other than usual sniffles, never a sick day in any of their lives, so far.
16 high school athletic letters among them.
Average 33 on the ACT.
If you want your child to eat an orange, you better go beyond 100 miles.
If you want your child to eat fresh fruits and vegetables from November to March, you better go beyond 100 miles.
But hey, just like driving a hybrid car, it makes you feel sooooo socially responsible.
Are they atrocious cynics too? There's many ways to eat responsibly. You might choose a different one for your family. Most of the folks in the country do not--they choose a particularly unhealthy food lifestyle instead.
It seems like the last thing we should be doing is attacking people for having a thoughtful approach to eating, even if it isn't the one we'd choose for ourselves.
The important thing is to eat healthy. Local is good, and a very worthwhile goal when possible, but healthy trumps local every time. Not too many salmon or shrimp or tuna here in Champaign County.
Laura shops at Strawberry Fields a lot, but most of what we eat comes from Schnucks. We used to get most of it from the St. Joe IGA until the new owners screwed it up beyond recognition.
I'm on a cardiac diet, and it's absurdly simple. Low fat, low sodium, low carb, low red meat. High fibre, high omega 3. That's about all most people need to pay attention to, really. As long as you're getting a reasonable amount of exercise, the calories are less important than the content.
But as several people already have pointed out, anything that makes you think about what you're eating is worthwhile. We've always liked local stuff because we like to keep the money close to home and support local businesses. It's an economic philosophy, rather than political. If it helps the environment to boot, so much the better, but all of that is just gravy on top of the prime directive: Eat smart. Eat healthy.
But it's not thoughful xian. It is an irrational approach to a perceived threat. While national producers may have more problems with production and healthful, sanitary conditions, there is also far more oversight than with local mom and pop operations. If bad hamburger patties turn up, it is an instant national story, and the patties get pulled. If poor practices occur on the local farm, a relatively few people will get sick, and the likelyhood that the cause will be discovered (in time to save others) drastically falls. This is true whether it's meat, dairy, or produce. It is also why I never eat produce, dairy or meat that I buy from the store the day I buy it. I always wait a few days, in fear of the big story that So-and-So grocery chain has had complaints and is pulling a product.
It is not cynicism, it is caution. Economies of scale make the national producers more careful than the local mom and pops. If the entire crop of green beans fails in California, Dole isn't out of business, they can import. If the entire crop of Farmer Goodfeel is failing, he may take steps to prevent that loss, steps that DO NOT have the constant monitoring of state and fedaral food safety agencies. Weak that those may be, they still exist.
I prefer to shop locally, but when it comes to what I put in my body, I frankly don't trust the sweetly smiling grandma at the booth who assures me everything is organic. I would love to trust her, but when it comes to ingesting, I just can't take that risk, even though she looks just like my grandma, and the Chairman of the Board of Dole looks like the devil incarnate.
While I'm not will to contribute to the burning of jet fuel to get from this continent to the next for a "holiday", I am willing to expend my share of fossil fuel getting clean, wholesome food to my table.
And I don't own a hybrid (obviously). Sometimes I don't drive my car to the corner store. I sometimes ride my bike. Sometimes, I even walk.
Not cynicism (well maybe a little, but more snarky than cynical) just real world caution and real world concern for food safety, the environment, and my family.
One last thing. I was one of the original coop members of Strawberry Fields, before it went strictly commercial.
It is also why I never eat produce, dairy or meat that I buy from the store the day I buy it. I always wait a few days, in fear of the big story that So-and-So grocery chain has had complaints and is pulling a product.
This is a sad testament to the state of factory food in America today. I love going to the farmer's market and getting fresh broccoli to make that night. What a great thing and it really does taste better than broccoli that sat in the back of a truck for two weeks on the trip out from CA or up from Mexico. And those farm fresh eggs from the Amish folks down in Arthur? What could be better?
I have no doubt that a family can eat quite well and healthy using Schnucks and County Market. There need not be any guilt associated with buying produce that has been trucked in from CA, FLA, or Mexico. But I just believe that when my family can buy locally and organically we definitely should. And while I hear about factory farm mishaps and diseases coming from the food factories all the time, I have *never* heard of a single incident with the produce, dairy or meat that is available at the farmer's market.
For a better explanation than I can give, I'd humbly suggest a quick reading of "The Omnivore's Dilemma". A great and important book.
Yeah, I found that interesting--our wide system of relaxed regulation has gotten us substandard seafood--like those Kevin mentioned. We have artificial dairy--ever tasted real milk? We have salmonella in our chicken population. We are awash in partially hydrogenated products.
Once again, I'm not saying that you aren't doing a wonderful job by shopping at Schnucks. I'm sure you are. It's definitely possible to eat beautifully through the supermarket system. I'm not sure I even agree with the cited group. I just don't see how you link your intelligent way of dealing with these things to others being wrong and the mass food industry being a flawless work of art.
One word of caution - all "organic" means is that the stuff was grown "without employment of chemically formulated fertilizers, growth stimulants, antibiotics, or pesticides. It doesn't mean safe, tested, or free from disease.
You *never* hear of someone getting sick from locally grown "organic" produce, because no one ever suspects that dear old granny Amish could do such a thing, and it doesn't get investigated.
I'm not saying it's not safe, but I am saying it's not worth the risk.
And, sad to tell you, but a lot of the produce sold at "Farmer's Markets" isn't locally grown, it's bought and sold by the vendor.
There are NO safeguards, no standards, nothing, that is "Organic" except what one person's concept, or even empty statements might be.
I buy stuff at farm stands when I am driving through the country. But I am not lulled into some false sense of security that it is "organic", or safe, or hasn't been treated with chemicals.
Think about the past, and the present. In the past ALL food was organic, locally grown, and often very dangerous. Since the inception of the USDA, and the FDA, foodstuffs in America have been consistently safe and healthy. Just because (what may be starling (the bird) naturally spread e coli) is reported daily by media doesn't make 300 million people at risk. Eating cheeseburgers and fries does it, a lifesytle error, but what you call "Factory" food in America is safe.
Good luck on getting "organic" citrus, wheat (for flour/baked goods), and any, and I mean ANY, fish or seafood, freashwater or saltwater.
I do agree broccoli can be grown in someone's backyard without chemicals, and sold at a farmer's market. It's gonna be wormy, though. I know because I grow my own. I pick off the worms, but you know, there's a lotta worms out there. Proper application of chemical treatments are a benefit, not a detriment. it makes the plants healthier and makes you healthier.
Just like a person getting a shot, or just like a person rubbing a combination of lye and animal fat on themselves (most of us call this concoction "soap") proper application of chemicals is a good thing, and not always evil, even if it loses it's made up "organic" label.
One word of caution - all "organic" means is that the stuff was grown "without employment of chemically formulated fertilizers, growth stimulants, antibiotics, or pesticides. It doesn't mean safe, tested, or free from disease.
So very true RSW. The "organic" label and standard is set by the USDA and has increasingly become more diluted. So again, buyer beware!
Also, I've read that buying local in certain circumstances can be more ecologically harmful than say buying produce from Peru. There are so many variables to take into account.
Grist has a good article on the concern that local food in certain circumstances might be worse off then convention food. But I think more often than not, there the pros outweight the cons in eating local.
It's important that we're talking about it at all though!
For a better explanation than I can give, I'd humbly suggest a quick reading of "The Omnivore's Dilemma". A great and important book.
The Omnivore's Dilemma is a good book and is a descriptive insight into the food/agricutural systems in American. I was surpirsed how corn gets into pretty much every product that's made from bread to some plastics.
Anon 4:06pm: you should come to the Green Tea. There should be more views expressed and open debate on such important matters.
"We have three children. We feed them from Schnucks and County Market.
Other than usual sniffles, never a sick day in any of their lives, so far.
16 high school athletic letters among them.
Average 33 on the ACT."
And yet you post anonymously.
Xian said:
“Yeah, I found that interesting--our wide system of relaxed regulation has gotten us substandard seafood--like those Kevin mentioned. We have artificial dairy--ever tasted real milk? We have salmonella in our chicken population. We are awash in partially hydrogenated products…”
Not only are we looking at a lot of Partially Hydrogenated Oils, but also High Fructose Corn syrup in just about anything you can imagine. Sodium is another nasty little secret ingredient that plays havoc with healthy eating and precludes buying commercially prepared stuff off the shelves. I have got to say that once I started to really READ labels my buying habits changed significantly. It is no wonder we have such a major issue with obesity and chronic illness in this country given the crap that is hidden in our foods.
I have tried organic milk a few different times, and I will tell you that personally, I didn’t taste much difference. I refuse to go the route of non-homogenized milk because I honestly think killing off as many germs as possible is probably not a bad idea. (I dunno if you’ve been around a milk cow before, but I will tell you that they are not exactly paragons of sterility.) Bovine Growth Hormone doesn’t really scare me much either because I do think most of it breaks down in the gut when exposed to the digestive acids. (If you have studies that refute that I’d be interested to see them, BTW.)
Eggs vary a great deal in quality, and I will admit freely to spending a little more to get Organic Free Range eggs. I do try and buy wild caught fish, and I do avoid the larger species of finfish that are likely to be high in Mercury or PCB’s. (Have you ever looked at those studies of the nutritional values and chemical analysis of farm raised fish –v- wild caught fish? Jeesh, I refuse to buy the farm-raised stuff because it is not only higher in Mercury but LOWER in essential fats like the Omega Threes that we all need.)
Part of the problem with raising kids to make healthy food choices, is convincing them that McDonalds is NOT good food and that sugar is not something you should eat (except as a treat sometimes.) Our kid has grown up thinking yogurt is a dessert and that fish is good food. We have not always set the best example for her, but she does understand that food choices play a huge role in overall health. I dunno if it will save her misery in the long run, but I figure it can’t hurt.
I wish more people would stop and look at what they eat, and I do think that we ALL can do a better job with our food choices. I try and buy wild caught (or free range) whenever possible, and I try and avoid the nasty chemicals that are hidden in so much of our food.
I figure I kind of like having Kev around, and I really like the idea of not eating myself to death or killing my child with crap food, so it is worth it to me to make the effort.
Regards!
Laura
Yea, that High Fructose Corn syrup seems to be in everything!
Take a look at this. It's absolutely disgusting! The guy from the movie Super Size Me! experiements with some unsavory stuff.
Yea, that High Fructose Corn syrup seems to be in everything!
Take a look at this. It's absolutely disgusting! The guy from the movie Super Size Me! experiements with some unsavory stuff.
Yeah, that is pretty creepy.
Wild caught and free range. Sounds impressive.
Maybe humans should return to the wild, and be free range. Avoid antibiotics! Don't use preservatives! Drink water from clear streams! That would be so impressive, so, uh, progressive!
When you broil your chicken don't be concerned that the chicken had no health care (yes, HEALTH CARE), it lived free, free to eat whatever it found on the ground, just like nature intended!
Your life expectancy and quality of life will surely go up, up up.
I'm very much a food snob, so I approve of food that tastes better and is cheaper. Certainly, the American diet could be lower in fat and higher in vegetables.
But is there any evidence that locally-grown and organic food is actually and significantly healthier? I suspect its the same sort of thing as with all the ridiculous nutritional supplements out there: it sounds like it should be better for you, so people think it is.
As I understand it, there is very little evidence suggesting that high fructose corn syrup is metabolically different from regular sugar. It's just so cheap, it's easy to put it in everything, so Americans have become used to things being very sweet.
"As I understand it, there is very little evidence suggesting that high fructose corn syrup is metabolically different from regular sugar."
That's not the point. Sugar is really bad for you, too. Avoid both, except in moderation. But as you pointed out, you really have to pay attention in order to avoid the corn syrup, because they put it in everything. America's sweet tooth is one of the major factors killing people right now.
And that's kinda my point. Sugar isn't "really bad for you." At least not in the same sense that trans fats are bad for you. I know several people that have "given up HFCS," but they don't say if they're avoiding that particular substance or just cutting down on sweetened things in general. I think there's this perception that HFCS is some dangerous substance (Fructose? That's one of those "chemicals," right?) and switching to sugar will make everything better.
"I know several people that have "given up HFCS," but they don't say if they're avoiding that particular substance or just cutting down on sweetened things in general. I think there's this perception that HFCS is some dangerous substance (Fructose? That's one of those "chemicals," right?) and switching to sugar will make everything better."
If that's the perception people have, then they are wrong. Fructose is sugar. I think we agree on that.
"Sugar isn't "really bad for you." At least not in the same sense that trans fats are bad for you."
That's kind of like saying that tobacco isn't "really bad for you, at least not in the same sense that cyanide is bad for you." Processed sugar is really bad for you. That's why dentists tell you to avoid it.
The levels of sugar that you can get in natural foods like fruits and whole grains are more than sufficient for your body's needs. The level that we get in sodas and breakfast cereals and most processed foods is killing us. The carb level that we get from that crap is (along with lack of exercise) the primary cause of the rampant obesity in this country, as well as coronary illnesses and diabetes.
Yeah, sugar is bad for you until you eat a sweet treat from Art Mart. If this be death, I accept.
"I refuse to go the route of non-homogenized milk because I honestly think killing off as many germs as possible is probably not a bad idea."
Laura, there is a difference between homogenization and pasteurization. Pasteurization is the process that heats the milk to a temperature where all the nasties are killed. Homogenization is merely the emulsification of the cream and the milk to create a uniform consistency with no separation in the container. BTW, while it is possible to make cheese at home with pasteurized non-homogenized milk, it can't be done with store-bought homogenized. The former is difficult to find, even around Arthur.
Actually I would like some information on sweeteners. Here is my thought process that is entirely fabricated, so please correct me where I'm wrong:
Like anything else in the world, excess on sugar is problematic. However, the heirarchy is something like this: Fruit sugar>Cane Sugar>processed cane sugar>Corn Syrup>High Fructose Corn Syrup. The differences in the later ingredients are minor, and for me mostly represent the tendency to over sweeten with them which results in lower health content and something that tastes nasty.
Sorry, xian, sugar is sugar.
"...ose", as in lactose, fructose, sucrose.
"Sorry, xian, sugar is sugar.
"...ose", as in lactose, fructose, sucrose."
While technically accurate, that viewpoint overlooks a major problem. Natural sources of sugar like fruit also contain fairly large amounts of fiber and vitamins and other nutruients as part of the delivery package. Processed sugar and HFCS strip all that healthy stuff that's good for you away, while heavily concentrating the bad stuff into what is essentially a carbohydrate bomb, devoid of any other exonerating nutritional value. That's why they call them "empty carbs."
What if I dump the processed sugar on my fruit? :-)
RSW, You can add all the sugar you want to, but I have to tell you that unlike when I was a kid they are teaching kids about sugar consumption in grade school.
Honest to gosh, Darcy has been running around for a couple of years now with the little catch pharse "if it ends in 'ose it is probably gross." You have to know that as a chocoholic it is pretty disturbing to hear that coming from my kid...
Having confessed that, I feel it important to offer a link to an article that speaks to the issues surrounding sugars in our diet. I will admit that the Weston Price Foundation is one that endorses the Raw Milk movement (which i think is nothing I'm gonna embrace) but it does have some interesting information there on nutrition in today's world. Anyhow, here is the article regarding HFC and its metabolism:
http://www.westonaprice.org/modernfood/highfructose.html
Regards!
Laura
Oh--Eggs, good catch on my slip up earlier. Pretty much demonstrates why I should never be taken as any sort of expert! :) I know better, honest, I do!