World Food Programme

Freerice.com

Another important aspect of food sustainability and environmental security is making sure that people around the globe have enough food to eat. The World Food Programme is an organization that works to fight worldwide hunger. One way that you can help bring food to the people who need it the most is to simply play a word game on Freerice.com. You are given a word and you must decide the correct definition from a list of choices. For each word you get correct, ten grains of rice are donated to the United Nations World Food Programme. So in addition to buying healthy and sustainable foods for yourself, reach out to others in need and help them get enough nutritional food to eat. Also, check out the World Food Programme website to find out about more ways that you can make a difference.

Food Politics

Happy 5th Birthday: Pew Commission

Foodpolitics.com

Marion Nestle, author of the book Food Politics, shares valuable insight about the politics involved in food production and distribution in her blog. Check out this link to an article about the Pew Commission on Industrial Farm Animal Production, specifically the report Putting Meat on the Table: Industrial Farm Animal Production in America. Nestle was a member of the Commission herself, and she explains in her article that the  most concerning aspect of industrialized farming is the "overuse of antibiotics and the shocking environmental impact of vast amounts of animal waste."

A Bushel of What?: Orzo Salad

A Bushel of What?: Orzo Salad: Yesterday was my birthday. I celebrated by hanging out with my two favorite boys (one little, one big) and doing nothing special, in particu...


Above is an excerpt from a food blog called A Bushel of What? The site has a number of yummy looking recipes that incorporate different organic and sustainable ingredients. Check out this recipe for an orzo salad.

Farmers vs. Frackers

Organic farmer Greg Swartz explains that nearby fracking operations are causing serious environmental issues on his Willow Wisp Organic Farm near the Delaware River in northern Pennsylvania. Fracking has also been linked to a number of detrimental health problems. Watch the video to learn more about the serious risks that fracking operations pose on both the environment and human safety.

Visit the Ecocentric blog for more information about Greg Swartz's farm and the issue of fracking.

The Curse of Fertilizer - Photo Gallery

The Curse of Fertilizer - Photo Gallery

Check out this amazing collection of photographs by National Geographic's Peter Essick called "Our Fertilized World." Essick explains that "if we don't watch out, agriculture could destroy our planet."

National Geographic: How to Go Green With Food

How to Go Green With Food | National Geographic

Highlights from the article about how to eat more sustainably:
1. visit a local C.S.A
2. find local food vendors and ask about where the food comes from
3. check for "USDA Organic" seal
4. visit the Environmental Working Group Shopper's Guide to Pesticides
5. check for independent humane labeling
6. visit the Blue Ocean Institute website
7. think about becoming a vegetarian! (my favorite)

USDA Organic Guide, United States Department of Agriculture

You can find more articles about sustainable living and food systems on the National Geographic Green Living page.

JMU Environmental Stewardship

James Madison University - JMU environmental stewardship efforts earn more praise

Image Source: http://www.clarkedailynews.com/page/63/

Go James Madison! The University has recently been recognized by the governor's office, the Virginia Recycling Association, the League of American Bicyclists, and the Princeton Review for its dedication to environmental stewardship.

Urban Spoon

To search for local restaurants that offer organic, vegetarian, and vegan food options visit the urbanspoon website. You can narrow your search by location, price, cuisine, and extra features. So the next time you're in the mood for organic food in Harrisonburg, try the Local Twin Oaks Tofu Steak at the Local Chop & Grill House or the Eggs-ceptional Sandwich at the A Bowl of Good Cafe.

urbanspoon.com, Harrisonburg Organic Restaurants

Sustainable Eats at JMU

View the whole Sustainability pdf here

One of the reasons that I wanted to create this blog was so that I could share information about food sustainability as J.M.U. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that the J.M.U dining services do a pretty good job at upholding and maintaining "environmental stewardship." Above is a page from the sustainability pdf that explains in detail J.M.U's commitment to environmental conservation. Check on the rest of the slides by clicking the link above, and visit the "Sustainability at J.M.U Dining" homepage to learn more about the various sustainable food options available on campus. You can also sign up to volunteer in the J.M.U student garden here! (betcha didn't know we had one of those)

Sustainability Humor with Jimmy Fallon

With all of the melting polar icecaps, and the dying bees, and the impending extinction of various kinds of plants and animals it's sometimes hard to to see our environment as anything more than a ticking clock of death and destruction. So I offer you this clip of "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon" as a little "pick me up" to help us all keep fighting the good fight.