Mexican officials and business groups are shifting the conversation around trade to highlight U.S. dependence on Mexican imports. A proposed bill hopes to shift Mexican corn imports away from the U.S. and business groups are following suit. Mexico is the largest importer of U.S. corn, sparking concern in corn-producing states of the potential economic backlash.
Agriculture
Leftover Plant Material Reduces Food Waste and Limits Pesticide Usage
Apeel Sciences uses what might otherwise be trash from agricultural processes to make a second skin that protects and preserves fruits and vegetables. Because of their Invisipeel and Edipeel products, more people can enjoy fresher, more nutritious produce.
Paul Willis, Niman Ranch: “Every person can ask and inquire about their food”
Paul Willis, Farmer and Founder of Niman Ranch Pork Company, is speaking at the inaugural Boston Food Tank Summit, “Investing in Discovery,” which will be held in collaboration with Tufts University and Oxfam America on April 1, 2017.
United Nations Report Rejects Pesticide Myth
A new United Nations report has rejected the myth that pesticides are necessary in feeding the world, highlighting the catastrophic damage they have caused to people and the environment.
Food Tank’s Reading List: 17 Books to Dig into this Spring
Mussels, cheeses, and biofuels. Permaculture and mini farms. Presidential chefs and scientists. Food Tank’s Spring reading list is a feast for the mind and stomach.
WANDA: Crossing Geographies And Generations To Unveil Hidden Food Heroes
As part of Black History Month, Tambra Raye Stevenson, Founder and CEO of Women Advancing Nutrition Dietetics and Agriculture (WANDA), discusses how they are crossing continents to create a new generation of women and girl leaders from farm to fork.
Oliver Gottfried: “Do not forget the hands that feed us”
Oliver Gottfried works around the United States and the world, focusing on farm workers rights, elevating their voices so that they can pursue better lives. He urges consumers to get to know their food system so that we can all take action when injustices arise.
Monique Mikhail: “Food is an issue that is at the heart of so many other issues”
Monique Mikhail looks for food system solutions by trading in big agribusiness for support of small-scale, ecological farmers. She calls for investment sustainability that is spear-headed by the current generation and an education system that passes on that knowledge to future generations.
Partnering with Traditional Land Owners for Harvesting Salt
Mount Zero Olive Grove, and the Barengi Gadjin Land Council, representing traditional landowners, have collaborated to respectfully hand harvest salt each year from a significant Aboriginal site.
Under Contract: Documentary Exposes Hardships of Contract Farming
Under Contract: Farmers and the Fine Print gives a voice to farmers who are trapped in merciless production contracts. The documentary allows farmers and industry experts to describe how production contracts—the new face of modern agriculture—is reshaping rural America
Brad McNamara on Working to Connect the Next Generation of Farmers
Brad McNamara discusses the future of urban farming and technology, and why the key to creating positive agricultural changes is providing the opportunity and power to regular people from all walks of life to get involved in the food system.
Alfrea Plants Garden Spaces into the Sharing Economy
Food Tank had the opportunity to interview David Wagstaff. He founded Alfrea, the company with an online marketplace for landowners, garden helpers, and farmers who want to sell produce.
Companies Earn USD$14 for Every USD$1 Invested in Reducing Food Waste
Champions 12.3, a coalition of leaders in food waste reduction released a new report claiming businesses earn USD$14 for every USD$1 spent to reduce food loss and waste. Findings from The Business Case for Reducing Food Loss and Waste incentivizes decisionmakers in a new way.
17 Food Heroes to Inspire Us in 2017
Check out how these 11 people and organizations are alleviating hunger, forging new attitudes about food, and partaking in vital research to better our relationship with food.
Top Five Reasons Why We Must Block Agrichemical and Seed Mega-Mergers
Antonio Roman-Alcalá outlines how three impending mergers between six of corporate giants will further consolidate market and political power, leading to even greater corporate control of our farms and plates
Tim Wise on Supporting Local and Sustainable Agriculture
Timothy A. Wise, Senior Research Fellow at the Global Development and Environment Institute at Tufts University, is speaking at the inaugural Boston Food Tank Summit on April 1, 2017.
Financial Conflicts of Interest Revealed in a Federally Backed Report
Some committee members that collaborated on a federally funded National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) report were found to have financial conflicts of interest (COIs). The 2016 report assessed the adverse effects of genetically engineered crops and their accompanying technologies.
Will Masters: “The food system offers common ground between people”
Will Masters, Professor at Tufts University, is speaking at Food Tank’s first Boston Summit, “Investing in Discovery,” on April 1, 2017, in collaboration with Tufts University and Oxfam America.
Inaugural Boston Food Tank Summit to Focus on Investing in Discovery
Food Tank presents “Investing in Discovery,” its first Boston Summit and its second one of 2017 on April 1. This event will bring together food experts and industry professionals for a day of unprecedented discussion.
South Sudanese Fighting Famine
The United Nations declares famine in South Sudan—42 percent of population requires immediate aid—and requests US$4.4 billion to avoid catastrophe.
