Green Peas

Message to T.J.: get humane!

No Trader Joe's In Canada
Originally uploaded by Pachelbel Canon

Anyone who shops at Trader Joe's knows that they have a good variety of organic items.  I avoid them because their produce isn't great and it all comes wrapped in plastic.  As it turns out, there is another reason to avoid TJ's... The World Society for the Protection of Animals wants them to start selling more humane food.

In WSPA's recent report, Trader Joe's was tied with Safeway for 9th place.  Whole Foods was first.  Go to their website: eathumane.org to sign the petition.

WHOFarm Pic

SFN08-WHOFARM_Chernis 3
Originally uploaded by photo_nola

The WHO Farm Project

Two twenty-something organic farmers have been driving around in a school-bus-cum-organic farm trying to drum up support for an organic farm on the White House lawn (thus The WHOFarm Project).  Their hope is that whomever is elected President of the United States will dedicate a portion of the lawn to growing organic, non-GMO produce, many with heirloom seeds.  These guys are ambitious! 

There is hope (maybe) if Obama is president that he would consider.  I have a feeling Sarah Palin and Co. would rather have some moose grazing on the lawn.  She can shoot them from her office window.

Sign the petition here.

Sustainability Stud Michael Pollan has visited the WHOFarm.  See video of a speech where he mentions it here.

Sign the declaration!

Slow Food is encouraging people to stand up for good, clean and fair food.  Go to the declaration website to sign and show your support. 

According to the declaration, a healthy food and agriculture policy:

1. Forms the foundation of secure and prosperous societies, healthy communities, and healthy people.

2. Provides access to affordable, nutritious food to everyone.

3. Prevents the exploitation of farmers, workers, and natural resources; the domination of genomes and markets; and the cruel treatment of animals, by any nation, corporation or individual.

4. Upholds the dignity, safety, and quality of life for all who work to feed us.

5. Commits resources to teach children the skills and knowledge essential to food production, preparation, nutrition, and enjoyment.

6. Protects the finite resources of productive soils, fresh water, and biological diversity.

7. Strives to remove fossil fuel from every link in the food chain and replace it with renewable resources and energy.

8. Originates from a biological rather than an industrial framework.

9. Fosters diversity in all its relevant forms: diversity of domestic and wild species; diversity of foods, flavors and traditions; diversity of ownership.

10. Requires a national dialog concerning technologies used in production, and allows regions to adopt their own respective guidelines on such matters.

11. Enforces transparency so that citizens know how their food is produced, where it comes from, and what it contains.

12. Promotes economic structures and supports programs to nurture the development of just and sustainable regional farm and food networks.

Sign!

Prop 2: Take responsibility for what you eat

Californians should have received their sample ballot.  I was, of course, interested to see Prop 2 listed as a state measure.

In short, the proposition will prevent California farms from treating animals cruely.  If it's passed, farm animals would be required to be able to "fully extend their limbs or wings, lie down, stand up and turn around." 

The LA Times posted this article arguing that Prop 2 doesn't do enough.  They may be right, but at least it's something.  Baby steps, people.

Vote YES on Prop 2.  Vote for the humane treatment of animals in California.  Better farming practices mean safer and healthier food.

Another reason to vote for Obama

Grist has a great piece  comparing McCain and Obama's policies with regard to food and farming in the U.S.  On his website, McCain vows to "limit the "unnecessary intervention of government regulations that severely alter or limit the ability of the family farm to produce efficiently."

Here's a blurb on where Obama stands:

"Barack Obama and Joe Biden will fight to ensure family and independent farmers have fair access to markets, control over their production decisions, and transparency in prices."

Obama  pledges to "defend "small- and mid-sized farmers against discrimination by meatpackers," to "strengthen anti-monopoly laws," and to challenge "large, vertically integrated corporate agribusiness."

There are some problems with Obama's stance as outlined in his document "Real Leadership for Rural America."  Namely, his blanket support for ethanol subsidies.

Read the article and decide for yourself.