Buy local to preserve Vermont farms
Burlington Free Press - 1/17/2010.By Vern Grubinger – This month marks 20 years that I’ve been working with farmers in Vermont, and it’s been an honor. This state has innovative, generous and thoughtful farmers, as well as a public affection and respect for agriculture that distinguishes us from many other places. ... A generation ago there was hardly any “organic” food; there were no CSAs (community supported agriculture); farmers markets were relatively few; “value-added” products, “localvores” and “farm-to-school” were not part of the lexicon. Today, Vermont has more than 500 certified organic farms, more than 80 CSAs, 60 farmers markets, hundreds of farmstands, nearly 40 artisinal farmstead cheese makers, a dozen wineries and 100-plus schools that buy local food. There are endeavors such as agri-tourism, grass-fed beef, on-farm biodiesel production, winter vegetables growing in high tunnels and much, much more. |
|
New official named to improve US food safety
New York Times - 1/14/2010. By Gardiner Harris – Washington: The Obama administration, moving to address the nation’s fractured food safety system, on Wednesday appointed Michael R. Taylor, a veteran food expert, as deputy commissioner for foods at the Food and Drug Administration. The newly created position is the first to oversee all the agency’s many food and nutrition programs. |
|
Ag expo: food for thought
Kennebec Journal - 1/14/2010.By Mechele Cooper – Augusta: Best practices of both organic and conventional farming, along with the careful use of genetically modified crops, are key to agriculture sustainability. That was the message to farmers at a Maine Agricultural Trades Show workshop Wednesday promoting co-existence of organic and genetically engineered crops. |
|
It’s time to take another look at school lunches
Portland Press Herald - 1/14/2010.Op-ed by Victoria W. Rogers and Heidi Kessler – Portland: School lunch has a bad rap. Does the thought of the school cafeteria conjure up images of mystery meat, instant mashed potatoes, and canned peas? Did you know that many of today's local school lunch programs are providing nutritious meals like roasted turkey salad on whole wheat or a local Maine potato bar with all the fixings? |
|