Expanding the Food Movement in the Trump Era by Civil Eats

“The most important work we can do now is to resist the authoritarian assault on democracy, prevent global catastrophe, and nurture civil society (including the burgeoning alternative food economy), even as we redouble our efforts to make the federal government accountable to everyone, not just the rich and influential.”

“’Sustainable’ is a word that we must now apply to democracy itself: a nation built on perpetuating injustice and the exploitation of people and nature doesn’t qualify. And a ‘sustainable food system’ cannot exist inside an unsustainable political and economic system.”

“It is not so much confrontational as pragmatic to say that it really is us against the plutocracy and its apologists. Mature social movements (including those on the right) recognize that it’s always a struggle to get what you want. As progressives, it is not enough to say that the current arrangements are doomed and that a better world is possible. We must work for it. To paraphrase an old proverb, the best time to unite was before the election; the second best time is now.”

Plant-Friendly Eating Gets High Marks for 2017 Diet Plans

“Most dieters are familiar with commercial plans such as Weight Watchers and Jenny Craig — both of which continue to make the magazine’s list for top diets. But a range of options offer fresh approaches, including the MIND diet, the Eco-Atkins diet (a plant-based, Atkins-style diet) and the Ornish diet — which is ranked top for heart health.” -NPR, the Salt

National Academies Biotechnology Conflicts

“Drawing on more than two years of Food & Water Watch research, The New York Times has published a damning account of the conflicts-of-interest culture that pervades the National Academies of Sciences’ (NAS) work on GMOs.” – Food and Water Watch. If we are expected to trust the research, then they have to get rid of the conflict of interest!

Cuomo Announces Agenda to Widen Access to Free Abortion and Contraception 

With the past weekend’s surge of social and political protests in over 600 cities across the United States, the city of New York upholds a right-leaning position for women’s healthcare. Yay! Andrew Cuomo announced that “his administration will require health insurers to cover medically necessary abortions and most forms of contraception at no cost — essentially safeguarding protections currently afforded to women.”

New York Triumphant in Off-Shore Wind Energy

“At his Long Island State of the State address in Buffalo, NY, Governor Cuomo urged the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) to move forward with what will be the nation’s largest offshore wind farm. The Governor didn’t stop there, he also committed New York to getting 2,400 MW of energy from offshore wind by 2030. That’s 50% more than Massachusetts’s commitment — and a national record.” – The New York Beyond Coal Campaign, Sierra Club

Give the Governor a call instead — dial 1-888-712-6823 and here’s a sample script:

(His office is open 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. you can leave a message if you don’t call during business hours.)

Hi, my name is _____ and I live in _____, New York. I’m calling to thank Governor Cuomo for his bold commitment to offshore wind power in his State of the State. I hope that he will look into expanding this commitment in the future, and keep us moving beyond coal and gas to 100% renewable energy.

Thank you for your time, and have a great day. 

“This is huge news — let’s celebrate! We want 100% renewable energy for our state and together, we’ll keep working for more wind and solar, and continue our pressure to move beyond fossil fuels towards an energy economy that works for people and our planet.”

Groundbreaking Opportunities in Food System Overseas

GustoLab International announced an expansion of their popular Critical Studies on Food summer program. Beginning Summer 2017, they will offer three complementary programs in Vietnam, Italy, and Japan!!! They can be taken individually or sequentially. “No doubt the challenges facing our food systems and our planet are great — but they vary by geographic region and historical legacies. To understand and respond critically to these challenges we need to develop comparative perspectives and approaches.”

Find more details on the programs by visiting online here.

What do SNAP Benefits Buy? 

“Across all households, the report found, “more money was spent on soft drinks than any other item” — a finding that reflects the fact that, while consumption of sugary drinks is lower today than it was a decade ago, the United States still consumes more sugary drinks than almost any other developed country, studies show.

The U.S.D.A. report found that milk, cheese, potato chips, beef, cold cereal and baked bread were among the top purchases for all households. It indicated that all Americans bought ample amounts of desserts, salty snacks, candy and other junk foods. But the SNAP households spent slightly less money on nutritious foods, including fruits and vegetables, beans, eggs, nuts and seeds.” This is a perfect example of why we need to have nutrition education and school gardens in every school, starting when children are young!