Food
Concern
for safe and adequate food sources for all is a multi-faceted issue that is
related to sustainable agricultural practices, governmental food regulations, and
individual dietary choices that promote health and cause minimal harm to the
planet.
Sustainable agriculture
means using farming methods which, simply put:
- Satisfy
our need for food and fiber
- Do
not waste non-renewable resources
- Enhance
the quality of life for farmers and society as a whole.
In
the United States, we rely on government entities such as the US Department of
Agriculture and Food and Drug Administration to regulate our food systems to
protect our health and ensure food safety.
It is essential that these bodies are fully funded and empowered to
carry out this important work.
Factory farms are facilities in
which extraordinary numbers of animals are raised in crowded conditions. These confined animal feeding operations
(CAFOs) are widespread and dangerous, resulting in manure disposal issues that lead
to tainted water and severe air pollution.
Agricultural
policies are crucial to sustaining family farmers and fishermen who are
increasingly struggling to compete with large multi-national corporations.
Accurate
food labeling is necessary to empower consumers to make better dietary
choices.
The
processing, packaging and transportation of food and food products adds to the
accumulation of greenhouse gasses, contributes to global warming and adds to
the problem of solid waste disposal. We
support the consumption of fresh, locally-grown products so as to reduce our
overall carbon footprint and to promote better health.
INTERNET RESEOURCES
Enter
your state and the current season and find out what produce is in season in
your area.
Tips for
making healthy food choices for you and the planet
Slow
Food USA seeks to create dramatic and lasting change in the food system.
Their mission is to reconnect Americans with the people, traditions, plants,
animals, fertile soils and waters that produce our food.
Farm to
School connects schools (K-12) and local farms with the objectives of serving
healthy meals in school cafeterias, improving student nutrition, providing
agriculture, health and nutrition education opportunities, and supporting local
and regional farmers. This link takes
you directly to the page for Iowa.
Lots of
information from the USDA. Links for
additional resources nationwide.
