Filed under: Local Food, Sustainability | Tags: Dan Imhoff, Dinner and Discourse
The talk wasn’t much of a fight, but we definitely discussed some very important issues. Tonight Companion Bakehouse hosted another Wednesday Dinner and Discourse, featuring Dan Imhoff, activist and author of Food Fight. In general we discussed the Farm Bill and its impact on food, nutrition, the environment and world society as a whole. Dan Imhoff is a very passionate, aware speaker and activist. Here are just a few of the points that I took away from the evening:
- our current food crisis is an existential problem – we have obesity and starvation!
- the Farm Bill is a tremendous public expenditure
- the Farm Bill influences both the market and the environment
- the current bill supports Big Agriculture commodities (corn, cotton, wheat, rice and soy) almost exclusively compared to health, nutritious vegetables
- the Farm Bill does provide for some conservation efforts
- the bill is also a key piece of legislature for school lunch programs, food stamps and other socially important programs
And a few numbers to scare you:
- the total new Farm Bill is over $307 billion
- $400 million goes to race horse breeders in Kentucky (what?!?!?!)
- $10 billion in “permanent disaster funds”
- $100 million to organics (over 5 years, increased from $30 million)
On the upside, Dan is optimistic that with the public awareness and outcry experienced over the past year, when the Farm Bill comes up again in 5-7 years things will be REALLY different. Dan mentioned a quote from Thomas Jefferson, “The price of freedom is the cost of constant vigilance.” For years we have ignored the Farm Bill, now is the time to be vigilant!
One attendee asked what she can do to “Vote with Her Fork”, see Dan’s blog on How to Eat Like an Activist.
Last night I hosted Dinner and Discourse at Companion bakery in the Central West End. We discussed issues relating to primary nutrition, integrative nutrition and just the whole big cycle of life that involves and revolves around food. One topic that came up was the current Farm Bill. And in just two weeks, Companion will be hosting a special event with author Dan Imhoff, author of Food Fight, will likely discuss some similar, and very important issues. Here’s the info if you’d like to attend! I’ll be there…
Wednesday May 21, 7pm at Companion in the CWE
Topics will likely include the farm bill, politics of food, and farming.
you can go to www.companionstl.com for directions
(picture from Companion’s website)
