Chipotle's "Back to The Start Video" Gets National Attention During the Grammy Awards

Did you see the advertisement for Chipotle Mexican Grill during the Grammy Awards? If not, here's your chance to go Back to the Start.

Coldplay’s haunting classic “The Scientist” is performed by country music legend Willie Nelson for the soundtrack of the short film entitled “Back to the Start.” The film, by film-maker Johnny Kelly, depicts the life of a farmer as he slowly turns his family farm into an industrial animal factory before seeing the errors of his ways and opting for a more sustainable future. Both the film and the soundtrack were commissioned by Chipotle to emphasize the importance of developing a sustainable food system.

The video has had immediate effects.  Hurst, a former hog farmer who is now president of the Missouri Farm Bureau, notes that “The day after it ran, McDonald’s announced that it would require its pork suppliers to end the use of gestation crates.” And then Bon Appétit Management Company announced a comprehensive animal welfare policy that phases out gestation crates by 2015.

McDonald's one of largest fast food chains has been the headlines lately about their food supply practices. First the "Pink Slime" and now gestation crates. This goes to show the power of the internet and social media. Large corporations can longer hide behind a corporate veil like they once did. Companies are now forced to be more transparent which means better products and services for us the consumers.

Let's go back to start by educating ourselves about our food and where it comes from. Chipotle has shown us that consumers are willing to pay for a more sustainable food system. We shouldn't be willing to compromise our health and food system by putting more profit in the pockets of companies that care nothing our wellness or the wellbeing of animals.

Monsanto's Bt GMO corn to be sold at Wal-Mart with no indication it is genetically modified

By Ethan A. Huff, NaturalNews

(NaturalNews) Most of the genetically-modified (GM) corn products forced on American consumers today are hidden in processed foods in the form of high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS), corn oil, corn starch, and various other corn-based additives. But soon to be available at a Walmart near you is Monsanto's Bt sweet corn, the agri-giant's first ever GM corn product made available to consumers as whole ears right on the cob in the produce section-- and like with all other GMOs, neither Walmart nor Monsanto has any intention of labeling this new "Frankencorn."

Monsanto first unveiled this new variety of GM sweet corn back in August, which rivals Syngenta's GM sweet corn that has already been on the market in limited form for the past ten years, claiming that it would be available to farmers for planting during Fall 2011. Now, the corn appears set to make its debut in Walmart stores across the country as early as Summer 2012, unless massive public outcry is able to convince the multinational retailer to scrap the corn, or at least voluntarily label it.

This disturbing development comes courtesy of both Food & Water Watch and Sum Of Us, which recently drew attention to the issue by creating petitions against Walmart's potential sale of the corn. Though Monsanto's GM sweet corn contains three genetically-engineered (GE) traits that have never been used in food eaten directly by people, and that have never been properly tested, Walmart still intends to quietly stock its produce shelves with this phony corn in the very near future.

Whole Foods and Trader Joe's have rejected Monsanto's Bt corn, how about Wal-Mart?

In a recent campaign alert (http://sumofus.org/campaigns/walmart-monsanto/), Sum Of Us explains that immense consumer pressure has already resulted in commitments from Whole Foods Market, Trader Joe's, and General Mills not to use the new GM corn in any of their products. But as of the announcement, Walmart has made no such commitment, presumably because of the company's close-knit relationship with Monsanto, a "match made in hell" that Food & Water Watch has humorously dubbed "Walsanto" (https://www.facebook.com/WalsantoWatch?sk=info).

But there is still time to stop Walmart's stocking of Monsanto's latest GM poison which, if successful, has the potential to completely destroy the viability of the entire crop. If Walmart rejects the GM corn, many others will likely follow, which will result in farmers refusing to plant it.

It is a simple supply and demand situation, but one that is complicated by the fact that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) refuses to mandate that any GMOs be labeled, which means millions of people consume them all the time without knowing it. This is why YOUR help is needed to spread the truth about both GM sweet corn and GMOs in general to your friends, family members, neighbors, and coworkers.

You can also sign this petition by April 1, 2012, asking Walmart not to stock Monsanto's GM sweet corn:
http://www.foodandwaterwatch.org

Sources for this article include:

http://sumofus.org/campaigns/walmart-monsanto/

http://fooddemocracynow.org

http://www.seedsofdeception.com/Public/BuyingNon-GMO/index.cfm

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/035029_GM_corn_Walmart_Monsanto.html#ixzz1nPUi1UiS

Community Supported Agriculture

 Wendy on our team here at Whole Foods Network, recommended that I watch the video above entitled "The Real Dirt on Farmer John". I have often wondered what it was like when we had family farms everywhere across our nation, and why we only see remnants of what was once a thriving industry. It's sad to see empty farms houses and barns falling apart and land taken over by weeds, when I drive across our country. Because I know that every lost family farm means more factory farms. This story helped me to understand what happened from a farmer's perspective. In the end, farmer John goes back to the start with Community Supported Agriculture. Maybe we all should seek to do the same in our communities. Pull up a comfortable chair, get some organic popcorn, and enjoy the story!

The Cleverness of Food Industry Marketing - Now Showing! Check Your Local Grocery Store for Show Times.

A recent trip to the local grocery store revealed the cleverness of food-industry marketing. From strange names for sugar to questionable claims on salt, I saw many processed and packaged foods disguised as healthy.

Most food-industry marketers know that we want to cut calories, fat, sugar, and sodium. This leads to the food-industry producing reduced versions of highly processed foods that have been stripped of vital nutrients, micro-nutrients, and nutrients we have yet to discover. Not to mention fiber that helps us to digest the foods that we eat.

For instance, an actual piece of fruit is full of nutrition. Packed with fiber, vitamins and natural antioxidants, fruit can help fight the cellular damage that leads to heart disease and cancer. However, once the fruit is processed, stripped of fiber, and the vitamin C has been cooked out of it, the nutritional value is null, void, nada.

Reduced or low sodium food products are another area where the food-industry tricks us into buying highly processed foods. Eating whole foods with 700 milligrams of sodium is much better than eating processed foods with the same amount of sodium. Whole foods contain complex carbohydrates, protein, fats, fiber and other critical nutrients to help lessen the effects of sodium.

A close friend once told me that there is no such thing as FREE in life. He said, "if I don't expect a lot for a little or something for nothing, I can never be misled." If the food industry removes or adds something to make natural foods more marketable and stay longer on the shelf, then the price we may ultimately pay is our health.

I have personally chosen not to expect a lot for a little from the food-industry cronies. I hope you will too.
 

Walmart Introduces "Great for You" Brand

What's for dinner? Walmart plans to feature some of its house-brands with a green "Great for you" label this Spring. This is a campaign to offer healthier food options and fight childhood obesity. While the label will not provide any nutritional information, it will be affixed to in-house brands with lower fat, sugar, and artificial additives. About 20-25% of the Walmart house brands will meet the criteria. Walmart believes that it shouldn't cost you more to eat healthier.

The criterion is outlined at www.WalmartGreatForYou.com, and it focuses on all-natural food, including fruits, vegetables, whole-grain pastas, and low-fat dairy products. Foods that have too much fat, or too many artificial ingredients won't make the cut.

I commend Walmart for taking action to help everyone afford to eat healthier. As our nation's largest grocery retailer, this is a giant step for all Americans to live a healthier style. We will do our part to educate consumers of the benefits of eating healthier through monthly webinars, articles written by health and nutrition experts, and a network of restaurants, farmers, and organizations that promote wellness.

I know that the views vary greatly from person to person in regard to Walmart. This is why I would like to focus on the good things that anyone does to further the movement to eating healthier in America. We can't wait for the government, lobbyist, food manufacturers, and others to do the right thing for our health. The journey of a million miles starts with the first step. Great first step Walmart!

Events Promote Healthy Food Choices

BY SUSAN SHERRILL

Whole Foods Market and Rip Esselstyn, author of “The Engine 2 Diet”, will host a screening of the food documentary, “Forks Over Knives” at the Ridgewood Public Library. 125 N. Maple Ave., on Monday, Feb. 13.  The film examines the claim that most, if not all, of the degenerative diseases that affect us can be controlled, or even reversed, by avoiding animal-based and processed foods – in other words, adopting a vegan diet. The evening begins with a reception from 6:30 to 7 p.m.; followed by the hour-long film and a question-and-answer session with Esselstyn.

On Wednesday, Feb. 15, from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., Esselstyn will host a Heart Health Workshop at the Whole Foods in the Bergen Town Center, Paramus. He will sign copies of his book and share tips on healthy eating, losing weight and decreasing your cholesterol.

Both events are free; for more information visit wholefoods.com.


Rip Esselstyn

Minimum Controllable Calories

When I was in flight school, we often practiced a maneuver to control the airspeed by pitching the airplane up to decrease speed and down to increase speed. The engine power was used to maintain altitude. This took some getting used to because I always associated power with speed.

Oddly, this maneuver has given me an idea for controlling calories. Instead of eating low calorie foods, let's control our calories by decreasing the portion size to reduce calories and increase the portion size to increase calories with real food.

All calories are not created equal. It’s very important to consume only as many calories as is needed for your body and physical activity. However, it’s equally important to try to eat whole foods that are full of the nutrients and micronutrients that really keep your body healthy. Foods that are unprocessed and un-tampered with are more filling, delicious, and nutritious than the processed foods that may leave you feeling hungry all the time, and consuming more calories throughout the day.

I guess that flight training really did come in handy.

5 Slimming and Nutritious Foods

Now, that we've survived another January of fade diets based on low calorie foods,  let's get back to the basic principles of losing weight.  

Below is a great link to whole food choices that are nutrient dense and have been scientifically proven to fill you up, shrink your appetite, or help you drop pounds by Keri Glassman, R.D. from Women's Health. Hey guys don't laugh. We can learn a little something from the women and I won't even tell the boys.


http://fitbie.msn.com/slideshow/5-slimming-and-nutritious-foods

 

USDA awards $40 million grants to boost local food supplies

(Reuters) - The U.S. Agriculture Department on Friday awarded $40.2 million in grants to farmers, ranchers and farmer-controlled rural business ventures aimed at spurring locally produced food supplies and renewable energy ventures.

USDA Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan said 298 recipients in 44 states and Puerto Rico will receive business development assistance through the Value-Added Producer Grant program.

"These projects will provide financial returns and help create jobs for agricultural producers, businesses and families across the country," Merrigan said in a statement.

"This funding will promote small business expansion and entrepreneurship opportunities by providing local businesses with access capital, technical assistance and new markets for products and services."

Recipients included Living Water Farms, a 3-year old family company located in Strawn, Illinois, two hours south of Chicago, which produces hydroponic greens for restaurants and grocers; Agriberry, a family-owned berry and fresh fruit operation near Mechanicsville, Virginia; and Green Mountain Organic Creamery of North Ferrisburgh, Vt., which markets certified organic, bottled pasteurized milk, butter, ice cream and other dairy products.

Denise Kilgus, one of the founders of Living Water Farms, said in an interview that the grant will be a good boost.

"The grant is going to help us get out more so we can market our product, talk to the chefs and build out our business," she said. "It's a start up business and everyone pitches in."

She said they already serve gourmet restaurants in the Chicago area including Frontera Grill and retail markets like Whole Foods.

Funds may be used for feasibility studies or business plans, working capital for marketing value-added farm products and for farm-based renewable energy projects, USDA said.

"We gave them a grant so they could try and figure out what was the best path for them to take to be successful," said USDA Rural Development Illinois Director Colleen Callahan.

Eligible applicants included independent producers, farmer and rancher cooperatives, agricultural producer groups, and majority-controlled producer-based business ventures.

URBAN FARMERS FORGE AHEAD

The grants were announced at a conference on "local/regional food systems" at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago.

Aside from the farmers awarded USDA grants in the more traditional rural settings, the meeting also featured numerous innovative urban farmers in search of investors and customers.

Many of the urban farmers were seeking the same kind of grants for their operations as those awarded to rural farmers.

Growing Home, a not-for-profit business that uses urban farming of vegetables as community development and job training for ex-convicts and the unemployed, uses greenhouses and retilled, composted vacant city lots to produce organic food.

"We will have 40 people go through transitional jobs programs where they get paid," said Harry Rhodes, executive diretor of Growing Home Chicago, which operates in the economically depressed southside neighborhood of Englewood.

Rhodes said obtaining start-up money for greenhouses, equipment and other essentials has been one of the biggest challenges over the last ten years. But it now supplies farmer markets in the city as well as high-end local restaurants like Charlie Trotter's.

"Everything is certified organic. We are the only urban farm that is in Chicago that is certified organic," Rhodes said.

Another successful Chicago start-up is Farmed Here, an "aeroponic" and "vertical" farm in an Englewood building where basil and arugula are grown in water under controlled conditions and supply 20 local food stores and restaurants.

"We are on a commercial scale," said Jolanta Hardej of Farmed Here, adding that the group plans to open a 90,000 square foot facility in the Chicago suburb of Bedford Park.

Warren Ribley, state director for the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Development, said that the state has invested about $4.8 million over the past four years to expand urban gardening and "help build these new local food systems."More than 600 youths in Chicago neighborhoods have been employed through the urban garden program, he said. 

As Whole Foods Network expands across the nation, we will do our part by subsidizing loans, offering marketing assistance, and providing access to a network of restaurants for family farms, urban farms, and local organic and natural food suppliers. We realize that we must increase the supply of natural and organic food to decrease our dependency on commercial farming and drive down prices for consumers. 


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