Food Systems Pt. 1
The concepts of buying local, eating organic, "natural" and so on are nothing new. They're marketed to us everywhere. This is because it's the way food should work. With the introduction of chemicals, pesticides and hormones into our foods, there are lots of consequences, both to our health, and the soil and environment. Transportation of food, and the problems surrounding workers who grew and harvested that food in other parts of the world prompt us toward local eating. But we need to be careful also. Because the organic and local market is growing in popularity (for good reasons) we need to be careful not to fall for marketing tricks or half-truths.
Growth
Common food is grown with pesticides and hormones. Pesticides are basically cheaply made chemicals that prevent or kill bugs and/or disease that would effect the plant. It makes farming and growth much easier when farmers simply have to spray their plants or add these things to the soil. It's inexpensive and allows quick easy growth. But what are the consequences?
Our health is affected by these chemicals, some of which are carcinogens, and others which have alternate health affects. These synthetically grown foods are devoid of nutrients that they would naturally carry, because they have been stripped away by the pesticides and by speedy growing times.
http://www.videojug.com/interview/pesticides-and-hormones
These pesticides, fungicides, insecticides and etc. are also detrimental for ecosystems. As they run off into streams and soak into the ground, they effect insects that are not enemies to the plants being sprayed, or they destroy the soil and strip it of the life that gives our plants nutrients. If birds eat affected insects, then they are affected at an even worse rate. These chemicals tend to cumulate, as they are stored in fat content within the animals. These pesticides will combine with others, depending on what has been sprayed where and the effects are unknown, as that would be incredibly difficult to figure out. Therefore, animals, insects and fish hold high stores of chemicals in their fat tissues. Since the 1960's and the introduction of pesticides before that, we, and the nature around us has been exposed to various chemical combinations. There are now traces of such things as DDT in our watersystems around the world. Just because we do not drop dead instantly doesn't mean there are not health effects. They may come later, after a build-up in your tissues reaches a certain point, for example.
These pesticides, fungicides, insecticides and etc. are also detrimental for ecosystems. As they run off into streams and soak into the ground, they effect insects that are not enemies to the plants being sprayed, or they destroy the soil and strip it of the life that gives our plants nutrients. If birds eat affected insects, then they are affected at an even worse rate. These chemicals tend to cumulate, as they are stored in fat content within the animals. These pesticides will combine with others, depending on what has been sprayed where and the effects are unknown, as that would be incredibly difficult to figure out. Therefore, animals, insects and fish hold high stores of chemicals in their fat tissues. Since the 1960's and the introduction of pesticides before that, we, and the nature around us has been exposed to various chemical combinations. There are now traces of such things as DDT in our watersystems around the world. Just because we do not drop dead instantly doesn't mean there are not health effects. They may come later, after a build-up in your tissues reaches a certain point, for example.
For more on pesticides, I would recommend reading Rachel Carson's Silent Spring. It is claimed to be the book that began the environmental movement back in the 60's. I have it, so your welcome to borrow it, but you can also find it in book stores and libraries.
Production/Processing
Many foods today are highly processed. This is to either to make storing and keeping foods easier, to save money because preserved foods are typically cheaper, as they're processing involves many short-cuts and chemicals, and many processed foods are appealing... due to higher sugar, fat, or salt content.
What processed foods are regular in your life?
The production methods used in the food industry are typically wasteful. They use lots of energy and resourcesCertain foods, especially meats are highly inefficient. It takes a lot of other energy sources and resources to produce that food or meat. Here is an article I read in University: (sorry, this was the only free one I could find... it should come out translated.)
http://translate.google.ca/translate?hl=en&sl=zh-CN&u=http://songshuhui.net/archives/1562&ei=e8dvT-btCsjWiAKh1omxBQ&sa=X&oi=translate&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CDQQ7gEwAg&prev=/search%3Fq%3Ddinner%2527s%2Bdirty%2Bsecret%26hl%3Den%26biw%3D1280%26bih%3D685%26prmd%3Dimvns
Diversity
There are also problems surrounding the diversity of foods that now exist. As you will learn in this tedtalk, we have favoured certain types of plant species, we have lost so much of what was beautifully created. This is not just a problem with plant species, it is also with animals. There are essentially only the same of a very few breeds of cows, chickens and pigs that are being eaten, or really, are even living at this point. Which makes one beg the question: if there was a disease or sickness that, let's say, affected that type of pig, it could easily spread and effect all of those pigs because of the lack of immune diversity amongst them.
http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/en/cary_fowler_one_seed_at_a_time_protecting_the_future_of_food.
Solutions
Buy organic whenever you can, and do your research. Some fruits and vegetables are grown with very little, or no chemical treatments. Here are some helpful articles:
http://www.thedailygreen.com/healthy-eating/eat-safe/dirty-dozen-foods#fbIndex1
http://www.thedailygreen.com/healthy-eating/eat-safe/Save-on-Sustainable-Gallery-44032808?click=main_sr
Buy local - we'll be learning more about this in a couple weeks when I do "Food Systems Part. 2" It's better for you, better because there is less transportation involved, and better because you know that people were treated fairly when planting, harvested and so on, and that you are not taking resources from another part of the world (again, more on this next week)
Make your own: Instead of buying pre-made food, buy fresh ingredients and follow a recipe. The internet is filled with videos and articles telling you how to do things.
Eat lower on the food chain.
This week's Showcase
Thanks to Alison L for this week's submission. Alison reduced her plastic use by using cloth grocery bags, and storing bulk items in jars. She did some of her own research and found this article.
It was super neat to read and see. I feel this is something we can all strive toward. It is clearly possible with some determination and knowledge.
| Alison's collection of jars that she uses to shop for, and store bulks in. |
CHALLENGE:
Use ideas from the solutions above and be creative. Take photos as you make changes toward a more sustainable and healthy diet this week.
Also, it's time to start thinking about the Sustainable Picnic Party that the Environmental Challenge will throw in a few weeks. Submit your photos and brief description of your progress throughout the week, as well as date, time and location suggestions for our picnic party, by 3pm NEXT SUNDAY.
Thanks, and have a blessed and sustainable week.
Cassie
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