Restaurants Offer Local Farmers a Growing Market
There is welcome news for those of us entering the field of farming–a new study by the National Restaurant Association shows that local and sustainably-grown ingredients will be some of the most popular food served in restaurants this year. Locally-raised meats and seafood ranked number one on the list of the hottest menu trends, followed […]
Oran Hesterman, Fair Food Advocate: Bringing Food Justice to the Local Level
A helpful model for bringing together organic consumers, sustainability advocates, and local farmers was sponsored by Indiana University South Bend, which recently hosted the Michiana Food Summit to explore key topics such as shopping locally, supporting community gardens, and creating farm-to-school programs to increase children’s access to fresh, healthy foods. The keynote speaker was Oran […]
NWF Report Highlights Farming Practices that Protect the Environment
A new report by the National Wildlife Federation (NWF), “Future Friendly Farming: Seven Agricultural Practices to Sustain People and the Environment,” explores a number of important practices to reduce environmental damage and ensure that farming continues to support people for many generations. These recommendations include the use of cover crops, conservation tillage, organic methods of […]
Apply now for NRDC's Growing Green Award!
Do you know someone who deserves to be acknowledged for their outstanding work in the field of sustainable food? The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) has put out a call for submissions to its fourth annual “Growing Green Award,” a recognition for individuals who have made contributions that advance ecologically integrated farming practices, climate stewardship, […]
Farm-to-Table Inspiration in Quebec
On a recent visit to the province of Quebec, I was quite inspired to see many strong examples of support for sustainable local agriculture. In Quebec City (where it is illegal to use pesticides), I took a tour of the Château Frontenac, the City’s most prominent landmark. I was surprised to learn that this famous […]
Rodale study shows benefits of organic farming over conventional
A recent study by the Rodale Institute brings good news for organic farmers: According to the report, organic agriculture outperforms conventional farming in years of drought, and increases the organic matter content of soil rather than depleting it. Organic farming also uses 45 percent less energy, produces less greenhouse, and is more profitable than conventional […]
Report links food security, climate change, social justice
A new report released by the Heinrich Böll Stiftung Foundation and the Center for Food Safety explores the vital links between climate change, food security, and social justice. It begins by discussing the effects of climate change on farmland, and how those effects can potentially be mitigated. The report cites a recent World Bank report’s […]