Was it just me, or was January a weird month? I’m glad it’s over. And I am happy to say that February seems to be going swimmingly thus far. In optimistic spirit, I bring you…the First Friday in February edition of News Bites. Brew up a mug of tea and read along.
- SUGAR: PART OF YOUR COMPLETE BREAKFAST. What are students at H.D. Cooke Elementary in D.C. dining on at 7 am? Kellogg’s Crunchmania Cinnamon Buns, chocolate milk, and grape juice. And no, grape juice does not count as one serving of fruit. Its sugar level is 50 percent higher than that of Coca-Cola. I wonder how many of those sugar-infused children are being “diagnosed” with ADHD or anxiety and put on Ritalin.
- NIRVANA AND URBAN GARDENS. The city known for McDreamy, coffee, and grunge is designating 2010 the Year of Urban Agriculture. One goal: to “encourage residents to get their hands in the soil”. Nice. A number of initiatives, including a new urban food bank farm, are planned. With food prices escalating and oil peaking, the future lies in looking to the past, with household and community gardens providing fresh, local produce. It makes sense.
- WE NEED A NEW SYSTEM. Fewer than 1% of US farms are organic, per the USDA. This despite the increasing demand for organic products. We MUST vote with our dollar and demonstrate our unhappiness with the mono / factory farm culture by buying products that are created in a more sustainable way. On a positive note, California’s organic operations account for 20% of the state’s farming operations. Go Cali!
- POO SALAD. While there are always creepy crawlies on, around and in us, some foods harbor more than others. A recent Consumer Report indicated that pre-packaged bags of leafy greens contain high levels of bacteria that are indicators of poor sanitation and fecal matter. I have inherent suspicion of anything packaged. Why would you pre-package leafy greens, anyway? Is it THAT hard to pull a plastic bag off the hanging thingie and shovel some of your spinach in?
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