It's in the headlines

I love to see the current food policies come under scrutiny in the media. I must admit it gets me excited like PETA seeing Michael Vick in jail. Read it people...

Cheap is not always a good thing, right Compaq computer owners???

In full disclosure, the Compaq reference was given to me by an employee of Apple, but I have faith in him.

In America, we eat too much...not a global problem

Courtesy of http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-09/27/content_12115738.htm

William M. Reilly


Tossing ideas and airing agendas on food production and distribution for about 90 minutes, they were led by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. She was tasked by U.S. President Barack Obama to lead his nation's campaign against food insecurity in the world. Clinton in turn appointed her chief of staff and councillor, Cheryl Mills, to take the point for her.
Clinton figures high on the topic because the United States pledged 3.5 billion of the 20 billion plus U.S. dollars promised to the cause by developed nations and her personal interest in bettering the lives of women and children, particularly since women make up the bulk of small farmers.
"I didn't really fully appreciate food security in its construct; indeed, I always like to say that the first time someone mentioned it to me, I thought, is the food running away, does it need to be armed? It's such an unusual term, and in a way, it's a distancing term," Mills told reporters Friday over at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel where Clinton was holding meetings on the sidelines of the UN debate with her counterparts from dozens of countries.
Food security didn't say "people are hungry and that people don't have access to food. It says food security. And while in a lot of ways, it does get at the concept of what you're trying to ensure, is that people have consistent access to food, it doesn't make you feel that emotional moment until someone says people are hungry -- people are hungry and people are dying from that hunger," Mills went on to say.
But that is the crux of the food security problem.
He said several speakers "stressed that we need strong monitoring systems to evaluate progress, identify challenges and ensure transparency and accountability. Some of you have also highlighted the need for better coordination."
Ban promised to deliver ideas expressed and suggestions to the high-level panel.
Even before the meeting began, Nabarro had forecasts on the future of food security.
"We are going to see a revolution in agriculture during the next five years," he said. "We are going to see an approach to agriculture that sees poor people, particularly smallholder farms -- and there are around 500 million of them around the world, and very especially women farmers at the canter of the agriculture development agenda and we will see much more focus on how countries themselves implement food security strategies and programs."
"We are going to see a transformation of markets and trading systems in agriculture and food so that they work more in the interest of poor people and their countries," he said. "This would take time and it requires a lot of work."
"We are going to see the greater incorporation of social protection and safety nets in development programs so that where there are poor people who are suffering as a result of shocks like climate change or economic contraction they are able to access the support they need," he added.


Take this with you to McDonald's as you stuff your face with a "hamburger" for 99 cents.

Oh, Mother

As I have written, I spent endless hours this winter/spring growing many different heirloom vegetables from seeds. With the artificial lights, potting soil, dealing with mold (this setup was in the basement), and fly infestations...it was truly the only proof needed if unsure of my dedication to food.

In the end, I have mixed feelings about all of my work being that the weather in the northeast this growing season has been absolutely abysmal. The heirloom tomatoes produced vast amounts in the early half of July, but little else. The yellow grape tomatoes were endless in the beginning, then abruptly ceased int eh cool, drenched climate of most of the summer. Similarly, the "green zebras," "red brandywine" beamed with potential, but the fruits became hanging sacks of moldy water before harvest was even an option.

I must qualify, however, that I currently have about 10 lbs on vines, more than sure that they will be edible in a couple of days. At the same time, my neighbor (who I am not fond of anyway) has cleared his whole garden of all tomato plants...victimized by Mother Nature's atypical fury this season. I will be eating grilled cheese with tomato, salads sprinkled with red, and awesome pasta sauces.

Be jealous Mr. Neighbor.