This short video is less than 5 minutes long, but it very clearly sums up the health challenges facing our country today, and offers a helpful solution that could improve the health of our nation as a whole if we take it seriously. Although this video focuses on one specific community, its message is one that applies to most American families. The benefits of eating fresh, locally grown foods are far-reaching, and affect not only you, but your community, and believe it or not, ultimately the planet as a whole.
Check out this excellent video to learn why:
Healthy, Local, Fresh: Farmers Markets & Community Wellness
Sponsored by the Tacoma Farmers Market and Triniti Media, this film depicts the rising health concerns in Pierce County due to poor nutrition, and how the Tacoma Farmers Markets make healthy and locally-grown food accessible to local residents.
More Resources On The Benefits of Eating Local:
An informational blog offering helpful ways to reduce your toxic load and live greener, as part of our new holistic living blog network.
Showing posts with label Farmer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Farmer. Show all posts
Friday, March 23, 2012
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Take Action to Support the Local Farms & Foods Act!
We don't jump on the bandwagon for many causes, but this is an important one for all of us. Americans are clamoring for more locally and sustainably grown food that is better for our health and the environment (and tastes better too!). But the farmers producing sustainable food for local markets need help to compete with the bigger, better-financed conglomerates. Especially in these tough economic times, it makes sense to support healthier local food systems that will boost your local economy and create thousands of jobs. The Local Farms, Food and Jobs Act is definitely worth your support - it is a strong bill that could have a big impact.
This bill will do some really terrific things, such as:
Image via Wikipedia:: Provide more money for local farmers' markets and to help farmers adopt organic methods.
:: Allow schools to use more of their federal funding to buy fresh, local foods.
:: Make it easier for low-income families to use food stamps at farmers' markets.
:: Increase support for local processing and distribution networks so schools, hospitals, stores and restaurants can more easily purchase healthy food directly from local farmers.
:: Improve credit and crop insurance for diversified and organic farmers producing for local markets.
With the 2012 farm bill fast upon us, this is going to be a big year in the fight to level the playing field for local farmers and to ensure greater access to healthy, sustainably produced food. This bill is a crucial part of that fight. We need to make sure our representatives understand that we want our food to come from local farmers, and that we expect Congress and the US Department of Agriculture to do their parts. It's clear we're ready for something different - now.
Click here to email your elected officials today and urge them to co-sponsor this important local food bill:
http://action.ewg.org/p/dia/action/public/index.sjs?action_KEY=1963
Thank you for standing up for healthy, local food!
This bill will do some really terrific things, such as:
:: Allow schools to use more of their federal funding to buy fresh, local foods.
:: Make it easier for low-income families to use food stamps at farmers' markets.
:: Increase support for local processing and distribution networks so schools, hospitals, stores and restaurants can more easily purchase healthy food directly from local farmers.
:: Improve credit and crop insurance for diversified and organic farmers producing for local markets.
With the 2012 farm bill fast upon us, this is going to be a big year in the fight to level the playing field for local farmers and to ensure greater access to healthy, sustainably produced food. This bill is a crucial part of that fight. We need to make sure our representatives understand that we want our food to come from local farmers, and that we expect Congress and the US Department of Agriculture to do their parts. It's clear we're ready for something different - now.
Click here to email your elected officials today and urge them to co-sponsor this important local food bill:
http://action.ewg.org/p/dia/action/public/index.sjs?action_KEY=1963
Thank you for standing up for healthy, local food!
Labels:
EWG,
Farmer,
farmers market,
Food,
Local food,
Local purchasing,
Organic farming,
Sustainability
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Video - Community Supported Agriculture
Here is a really great video about Community Supported Agriculture, from the farmer's perspective. It really gives you a good idea of how this model benefits not only you, the consumer, but the farmer as well. It's such a win-win concept! One thing I hadn't thought about before is the debt that farmers incur, when using a traditional farming model. What she mentioned about the CSA method "breaking the debt cycle" really hit me - as someone who is pro-financial balance/anti-debt, and involved somewhat in the financial planning world, it is so cool to see how this holistic approach truly is improving the lives of everyone involved. Check it out, and if you haven't already, visit our website to find out how you can connect with a local CSA in your area! http://www.newholisticliving.com/csa.html
Food Network: Community Supported Agriculture
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) offers a holistic approach to the production of sustainable food grown in urban areas. In this story, we learn of one urban farmer who successfully uses the CSA model to produce long-term sustainable crops that a...
Food Network: Community Supported Agriculture
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) offers a holistic approach to the production of sustainable food grown in urban areas. In this story, we learn of one urban farmer who successfully uses the CSA model to produce long-term sustainable crops that a...
Related Articles on Community Supported Agriculture:
- Community Supported Agriculture (thevacavillehousewife.wordpress.com)
- Making Community Supported Agriculture Work for You (aka Being Outside of Your Food Comfort Zone) (theunlikelyorganic.com)
- Community Supported Agriculture and Why It's Good to be a Localvore (theunlikelyorganic.com)
- Everyone Benefits from CSA (via thegreenschoolhouseseries) (wilderside.wordpress.com)
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Organic Foods and the Environmental and Economic Impacts
If you are interested in switching to organic foods, you may first do a little bit of research. If so, you are likely looking to find more information on the benefits of eating organically. When doing so, you will see that there are a number of health benefits to eating organically, but did you know that organic foods can also help to improve the environment and the economy? They can and for more information on how so, please continue reading on (or visit http://www.newholisticliving.com/csa.html for info on finding locally grown organic foods in your area).
It is no secret that many farmers use pesticides and other chemicals when growing many fruits and vegetables. Although many of these pesticides are “technically,’ considered safe, many still have concerns. After all, if the chemicals can be used to kills bugs and bacteria, what can they do to our bodies? This is a huge concern for many individuals, especially those who are concerned with their health and exactly what it is they are putting in their bodies. Also, does simply just rinsing a vegetable make the food any safer? What about the impact on the environment? These are all common questions that many have.
Speaking of the environment, did you know that many soils become contaminated when pesticides and other similar chemicals are used? Contamination is more than possible. In fact, did you know that many of the farmers who wish to switch to growing organic foods need to overhaul their fields or wait a specific period of time until their soils can be considered clean again? This just goes to show the impact that unnatural foods an have on the environment.
Image via WikipediaAnother one of the many ways that organic foods can help to improve the environment and the economy is with the survival of quality food manufacturers. All organic food should be certified by the QAI (Quality Assurance International). This certification process is not easy to pass, as there are a number of strict rules that must be followed and certain qualifications must be met. Unfortunately, not everyone is able to meet these standards. This means that only the quality and dependable organic food makers are likely to survive. Although many do not look at it from this point of view, it can be good for the economy.
Image via WikipediaIn keeping with the economy, many farmers are getting a second chance with organic foods. Now, it is costly to run a farm. In fact, that is why many farms are shutting down. Although some farmers are choosing to give up their operations, others are choosing to make the switch to organic foods. Although it does take a lot of hard work, determination, and a large investment to make the switch to organic, many farmers are finding big payoffs. There are also many economists who believe that switching to growing organic foods is the only way that many farms, especially those that are small in size, will be able to survive.
As you can see, there are a number of ways that organic foods can impact the environment and the economy. Fortunately, these ways are all positive in nature. As a reminder, organic foods are also safe, healthy, and natural to eat. What does this mean for you? It means that there are a number of benefits to eating organically. For that reason, if you are interested in making the switch to organic foods, you should go ahead and do so.
It is no secret that many farmers use pesticides and other chemicals when growing many fruits and vegetables. Although many of these pesticides are “technically,’ considered safe, many still have concerns. After all, if the chemicals can be used to kills bugs and bacteria, what can they do to our bodies? This is a huge concern for many individuals, especially those who are concerned with their health and exactly what it is they are putting in their bodies. Also, does simply just rinsing a vegetable make the food any safer? What about the impact on the environment? These are all common questions that many have.
Speaking of the environment, did you know that many soils become contaminated when pesticides and other similar chemicals are used? Contamination is more than possible. In fact, did you know that many of the farmers who wish to switch to growing organic foods need to overhaul their fields or wait a specific period of time until their soils can be considered clean again? This just goes to show the impact that unnatural foods an have on the environment.
As you can see, there are a number of ways that organic foods can impact the environment and the economy. Fortunately, these ways are all positive in nature. As a reminder, organic foods are also safe, healthy, and natural to eat. What does this mean for you? It means that there are a number of benefits to eating organically. For that reason, if you are interested in making the switch to organic foods, you should go ahead and do so.
Related articles on Organic Food:
- Eating Organic Food is The Right Choice (socyberty.com)
- What Many People Don't Know About Organic Meats (socyberty.com)
- 10 Organic Foods That Are Worth the Money (lewrockwell.com)
Labels:
Environment,
Farmer,
organic farm,
Organic food,
Pesticide
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