how does your garden grow?

Our food choices affect many things, but one area that has always been a concern for me is its impact on climate change. Remember, climate change is not just the warming of our planet, but it also is the effect on our water and soil due to chemicals, overuse, over population, and much much more.

That is why I found it interesting when I read today that CalTech is studying methods of urban hydroponic gardening and roof top farms. I suppose one reason why is because I tend to think if a scientist is really researching something, then there is enough support to think we really need it.

Supporters point to the environmental cost of trucking produce from farms to cities, the loss of wilderness for farmland to feed a growing world population, and the risk of bacteria along extensive, insecure food chains as reasons for establishing urban hydroponic farms.

And, so far there seems to be some great data:

Cornell agriculturist Philson Warner, who designed the program’s hydroponics system, said his students harvest hundreds of heads of lettuce a week from an area smaller than five standard parking spaces by using a special nutrient-rich solution instead of water.

The numbers have some researchers imagining a future when enough produce to feed entire cities is grown in multistory buildings sandwiched between office towers and other structures.

You can find the whole article HERE, via Huffington Post

food fight, cont.

About a week ago, I posted about the upcoming documentary “Food Fight”.

I went to a screening at the AFIfest on Saturday and thought the documentary was really, really good.

Because food is something that I am passionate about, I have taken the time to read, research, watch all available material on the subject. There is a lot of information out there and has resulted in one big conclusion for me: changing how you eat is a major step that you can take to reduce climate change.

This movie is different than other movies I have seen because it is not boring. It engages the audience, talks about food in a smart, sexy way, with added humor. Of course, I saw things that were missing. I make it a goal to know as much as possible, and it is hard to incorporate all the information we have into an entertaining two hours or less. However, I was disappointed that while there was discussion about the industrialization of agriculture, there was no mention of the meat industry. I find this a big flaw because when you talk about food, health, climate change… we all know that making better choices about eating less meat or even choosing better meat has a major impact.

That being said, I do not want to take away from the importance of this film. It will attract a bigger audience then any other documentary by the sheer fact that it is fun and energetic, providing information about food that can be retained. I do think people that see this film will make better food choices, and that is the ultimate goal. Baby steps, right?

Side note… the theater trash cans that were full of empty containers of popcorn, soda and candy… irony that bespeaks to the challenge ahead.

All in all, I will stay on top of this and let you know when it will be available to everyone because you MUST SEE THIS FILM!!!!

HERE is the original post.

and here is a video, that wasn’t posted in the original:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7IS67USzR7k&feature=related]

Food Fight

Today seems to be a day of food… new research has been released, a new campaign has started because of Obama and I just learned there is a new documentary coming out.

If you have read my blog, even the smallest amount, you know I care about food. I think it is the cause of disease, poverty, corrupt government policy, and I can keep going on. I value what Michael Pollan and Alice Waters have to say. I encourage Farmer’s Markets and cooking at home.

I am excited that a new movie is coming soon called “Food Fight”

Here is the trailer:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkAALmty650]

And, HERE is a review from Tree Hugger.

I am trying to get information because I heard there were some screenings this week for Los Angeles folk. I will update when I can.

fair trade

Have you ever wondered if buying fair trade products equals buying environmentally friendly products.

I have. Fortunately, Slate did the research for me. Click HERE for the article by Jacob Leibenluft.

Here’s the bottom line: If you care about both global poverty and climate change, you can’t always have it both ways. The Lantern suggests you keep things in perspective: Boycotting bananas from the Dominican Republic may reduce your carbon footprint a tad, but you’ll make a bigger dent by putting that hamburger meat back on the shelf once in a while—and you won’t be cutting a poor grower out of the global economy.

food, glorious food

You may have visited a Farmer’s Market and wondered… “yeah, this is great, but what the heck am I supposed to do with a yardlong bean??”

I know that it can be daunting to be presented with that variety, some of which is unrecognizable, get frustrated and go back to what you know how to cook, even if it is bought at Ralph’s and shipped from New Zealand.

So here are 5 simple tips to getting the most out of your FarMar.

1.) go prepared:

know what’s in season in your area. In many area’s, Greenopia is a great place to start as they have a “seasonal” section. Bring cash… they don’t take anything else and you would be sadly disappointed to go there to no avail. And, go early! You want the best selection and the FarMar’s are getting crowded nowadays.

2.) Ask questions

The farmer’s know the most about their food. They know how to pick the ripest, they know how to take care of it once it is home (refrigerate or counter top), and they know the best ways to prepare it. If they don’t carry “the” item, they know who on the lot does carry the best of “it”. Ask them where their farm is, if they use pesticides, etc., etc. These men and women are there because they love their job, so they want to talk about it. But, like any store, they want you to keep coming back, so they are desperate to please the consumer.

3.) Get it while you can

The point of a FarMar is seasonality… you like blueberries, but it is close tot he end of season. Buy a whole darn bunch and freeze, can, or overdose. To truly eat locally and sustainably… you shouldn’t be eating things off season. So expand your skills and you can have what you like all year round.

4.) Open your mind

be open to what is out there. Yes, we know you don’t know how to prepare yardlong beans, but the farmer does. Did you know in your lifetime, you probably eat the same 25 food items? Did you know that may be why we have such a prevalence of cancer? Variety, literally, is the spice of life. Ask to sample, ask for recipes, ask for help. The farmer’s love being in conversation about it. So make their day great!

5.) know what to skip

If someone is selling those infamous blueberries in January… you may want to reconsider going to them. They may be grown in a hothouse, with acceptable pesticides and growth technologies. And even though it is local, it could still have an environmental impact that you don’t support.

Hope this helps and maybe I will see you at the FarMar!!

A listing of local markets can be found HERE.

breath of fresh air

Last week I wrote about the bailout being about credit and the banks not making loans, and how this effects us. Today, an amazing article came by me about a town in Vermont that is dealing with this financial turmoil in a pretty revolutionary way.

They are coming together as a community.

Not only that… but they are focusing on my favorite topic: FOOD!!

“Facing a Main Street dotted with vacant stores, residents of this hardscrabble community of 3,000 are reaching into its past to secure its future, betting on farming to make Hardwick the town that was saved by food.”

The article illustrates a truly inspirational way to come together as a group and collectively save ourselves from economic hardship. I think we could all learn an amazing lesson from this.