A few intriguing backstories from the many wonderful things happening in the Vermont better/ local food movement. Second-to-none quality food!
http://foodthinkers.com/articles/a-macro-view-of-micro-production/
pictured: Pete Colman founder at Vermont Salumi
Panera introduces sprouted-grains to invest in their customers
The nutritional value of sprouted grains is unparalleled. But how many consumers actually know this? Betting long, Panera wants to invest in their patrons by promoting food sustenance through education of staff & customers to the value of higher quality raw materials, and better fresh food. Breaking down barriers – established brands with proper ethos and validity will drive broad awareness & food system change.
Sprouted grains generally refer to seeds of grain, such as barley or spelt, that are soaked in water and allowed to germinate, or begin to sprout. Once a root appears, the grain can be frozen, dried or mashed and cooked into baked goods. Sprouted grains are usually higher in protein and other nutrients, and lower in calories and carbohydrates, than other whole grains.
VIDEO: Pollan – “2008, we grew enough to feed 11 Billion people!”
Based on Michael Pollan’s talk “Food Rules”, this animation was created in the context of the RSA/Nominet Trust film competition. The aim and challenge was to convey the topic in a visually interesting way using a variety of different food products.
Rodale Institute news – State of the Seed:
This is a very interesting time to be a small seed company that grows, maintains, improves and cares for a number of vegetable, herb and flower varieties on our own farm. On the one hand, we see an increasing awareness among people who farm and garden that the source of their seeds is important, that not all seed sources are equal, and that choosing where to buy seeds is as important as where to buy or how to raise food.
The key ingredients for profitable Northeast production – Global AgInvesting
The Northeast currently sources only 5% of its food from local farms, yet New England and New York sit on millions of acres of fallow prime farmland (abundantly fertile after decades of underutilization) with unparalleled access to clean water. As consumers increasingly demand better quality foods, and have become more connected to local production, the Northeast is poised to return to profitable farming. Establishing economies of scale through supply of meat to a market gasping for more consistency and volume of high-quality local foods can create a breadth of profitable farms built on diversified crop outputs suitable to the Northeast climate. The results = cash-flow, risk mitigation and increased enterprise valuation. – by Aaron Niederhelman
event: The Meat We Eat: 2014 Harvard Forum on Industrial Animal Farming
April 4th – Bringing together a host of authorities on food law and policy and animal law to raise discussion on a number of pressing questions, including: How does industrialized animal farming affect human health, animal welfare, and the environment? How does the U.S. currently regulate animal farming, what are the barriers to reform, and what can be done to strengthen protections for consumers, animals, and nearby communities? How can we create a more transparent food system so that consumers can choose healthy, sustainably-, and humanely-raised food?
http://www3.law.harvard.edu/orgs/foodlaw/themeatweeatforum/
Food MattersTV launch: access to 300 online Health & wellness videos
Like a Netflix focused on Health, nutrition and Wellness videos – some of the latest cutting edge Health and Wellness documentaries, recipe videos, world expert interviews, like-minded online community.
Including access to free screenings of movies:
VIDEO: ‘How big business had the right idea but went wrong’ – Andrew Gunther
TEDxManhattan – Presented by Animal Welfare Approved (AWA) Director, Andrew Gunther
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=asveHPjLC2g
The future of the gated community, or is Agritopia a US model to replicate EU “uber-local” success?
The neighborhood is called Agritopia, and it’s one of a growing number of so-called agrihoods, residential developments where a working farm is the central feature, in the same way that other communities may cluster around a golf course, pool or fitness center. The real estate bust in 2008 halted new construction, but with the recovery, developers are again breaking ground on farm-focused tracts. At least a dozen projects across the country are thriving, enlisting thousands of home buyers who crave access to open space, verdant fields and fresh food.
Taxing food security, the drying of the West is subject to change food production sooner than later. When we evaluate the numbers, why do we continue to put all our eggs (and all perishables) in one basket?
Agriculture accounts for 80% of water consumption in California, for example, but only 2% of economic activity. Farmers flood the land to grow rice, alfalfa and other thirsty crops. By one account, over the years they have paid just 15% of the capital costs of the federal system that delivers much of their irrigation water. If water were priced properly, it is a safe bet that they would waste far less of it.
