Full DISHclosure

Farm Bill 101: Don’t be Chicken

Before you run away, let me be the first to admit the Farm Bill, and relevant issues we may vote on in November, seems a tad overwhelming and maybe just a wee bit boring. But I’ll also admit that I believe anyone who eats should know something about what they’re putting in their mouths and why. So I was glad to see the big concepts wrangled into this accessible, and even interesting, Farm Bill Interactive Infographic that addresses how we determine which foods are... Read More

How to Feed 300 Million Insatiable Americans?

Yul Kwon (of Survivor fame) shares a savory first bite of food sourcing systems and costs in PBS’ first episode of America Revealed: Food Nation (53 minutes). Food Nation: America Revealed Watch Food Nation on PBS. See more from America Revealed.  Read More

Food 101

Everything you ever wanted to know, but were afraid to ask, about many of today’s food issues is summed up in this primer by Sustainable Table. Additives Much of the food we find at today’s supermarkets is highly processed and contains numerous food additives. These substances are used to change the way food tastes and looks (altering the color and texture), to improve the nutritional quality of foods (adding vitamins and minerals), and to increase the food’s... Read More

To Bee or Not to Bee?

I heard about Rob the Beekeeper at lunch last week. Actually, overheard. But, I inserted myself into my neighbor’s conversation and extracted info about a honeybee enthusiast who manages residential hives. So, Rob the Beekeeper paid a visit to our busy corner of Atlanta and found a suitable site for a soon-to-bee colony tucked under the magnolias and crepe myrtles. In 48 hours Rob will arrive with our busy new residents, and I can’t wait. Why? Because not only are... Read More

Agricultural Policy Should Fuel Health, Not Epidemics

Is our government making us fat, or just stupid? Elizbeth Kucinich of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine points out in the Huffington Post that the USDA spends billions of dollars on agricultural programs that support the foods health experts tell us to avoid. It invests $1.5 billion in meat and dairy production in spite of the fact that its own guidelines recommend choosing more plant-based foods (fruits/vegetables) and avoiding meats, cheese and other foods... Read More

Factory Farms Close to Home

Urban Gardener Mike Lieberman called our attention to this award-winning interactive factory farming map created by Food & Water Watch and New Signature. The map shows where U.S. factory farms are concentrated by specific animals, regions, states and counties.” Link to see what’s going on near you.  What to do? Leiberman suggests checking out some of the posts below to see how you can help stop factory farming: Unprecedented... Read More

Strawberries Forever

Is there a better way to spend the first weekend in May than hand picking sweet strawberries from the vine? I think not. After a half hour or so, the quest for the perfect berry, with it’s repetitive motion and  quiet focus, becomes as zen-like as Tai Chi. (But tasty!) That would explain how I emerged from my little trance with four gallons of berries. In my mind, the best way to appreciate antioxidant-packed, farm-fresh berries is to rinse quickly and enjoy immediately,... Read More

Go Green for St. Pat’s and Save the Earth

What does drinking green beer have to do with a saint? Hmm, not sure…  Here’s another thing to contemplate: What does eating green have to do with protecting the environment? Ask the guy on the barstool next to you. Maybe he’ll know that animal agriculture (producing meat for our food supply) is responsible for more greenhouse gasses than all the world’s automobiles and other transportation combined.  At least, that was the case five years ago when... Read More