Green Peas

Almost 4 million views!!!

Pollan inspired T-Shirts

The folks over at Brave Potato have made T-shirts inspired by Pollan's recent NY Times Magazine article. 

Proceeds will benefit the Food Project.

Organic food video

I love spoofs of 50's instructional videos. Here's one about organic farming. 

Website of the Day: Ecomii

I don't get the name either.  But this new site has a great guide to organic food. 

It's a community-based site that allows you to accept "goals."  Food related goals include: eat less meat, don't waste food, and eat organic.

If you're new to the green scene, they've got a lot of great tips and information.  If you're an eco-pro, you probably will find it redundant.

Website of the Day: Rice for the hungry

A friend sent me this cool website where every click donates 20 grains of rice to the UN World Food Program. 

Website of the day: Chef's Collaborative

Check out this group of culinary professionals (chefs, restaurant owners, ranchers, etc.) committed to fresh, local and sustainable food.

Starbucks alternatives

I work in Century City and in my building there is a Starbucks (of course).  Right across from that Starbucks is an Organic To Go.  I'll admit that "OTG" does not have the most fresh selection of food, but their coffee is excellent... and it's organic AND fair trade. 

At 9 am every morning there is a long line at Starbucks and OTG is virtually empty.  For those of you who frequent the Starbucks at Century Plaza Towers, please consider buying an organic, fair trade cup at Organic To Go... You are not getting the same thing at Starbucks (only 6% of their coffee is certified Fair Trade).  Not only does it taste better, it gives you a warm, fuzzy feeling inside. 

Use the "delocator" to find a non-corporate (non-Starbucks) coffee shop.  (Results are hit and miss, but it's a start).

Food Waste

This is a great site all about food waste in the U.S.  According to the site, Americans waste 40% of the food we produce. 

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.