New Reports Highlight Innovations in Community-Based Food Systems
Food projects around the US are changing the way food is grown, processed and distributed. Two new reports showcase success stories.
GRACE Communications Foundation
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Ecocentric Blog ]
James Rose
James Rose works on initiatives to promote public awareness of food and agricultural issues in order to transition to more sustainable practices. James provides research support and creates content, is a regular contributor to GRACE's Ecocentric blog and operates in other capacities to support program work. He was co-author and project manager for GRACE's award winning annual report on small scale renewable energy, "Freeing the Grid." Prior to GRACE, James interned at the United Nations, contributed to a report on alternative waste solutions for the NYC Economic Development Corporation, conducted wildlife research on the Western Bluebird and did research in a molecular biology laboratory. James received an MPA in Environmental Science and Policy from Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs and a BA in Biology from Earlham College. He enjoys running, gardening, reading and cooking for his family.
Fire up the Grill: Tips for a More Sustainable Cookout
Summer and grilling go hand in hand. If sustainability is on the menu, you are in luck, because there have never been so many options available at farmers' markets and even in supermarkets. Here are a few key tips we've put together for sustainable grilling this summer.
Researchers Find Wasted Food Means Wasted Nutrients
Evidence of the importance of reducing food waste continues to mount. With up to an estimated 40 percent of food in the US going to waste annually, researchers have now calculated the nutritional value of the wasted food.
Organic Milk: When a Label Does Not Tell the Whole Story
More dairies are becoming organic, but not every organic dairy farm is operated the same way. Here is a quick overview of some of the larger USDA certified organic milk brands on the market, and what to look out for.
Milk Money: How Incentives Lead to Milk Down the Drain
The 1990s ad campaign from milk producers, "Got Milk?," permeated the ad world and transcended into pop culture. Yet despite the public's awareness of milk and dairy products, farmers still need to dump millions of gallons of milk every year.
Waves of Grain: Incentives for and Costs of Commodity Crop Production
Farmers were told to get big or get out, so some got big. Check out how the commodity crop system helps drive factory farming, pushes farm consolidation, contributes to pollution and how the products made with commodity crops affect our health.
Wine and Chocolate Save the Day: Regenerative Farming to Improve the Environment
Farmers are finding ways to enhance the environment while producing profitable agricultural products. Some wine and chocolate producers are using regenerative agricultural practices to become more sustainable.
Corn and the Industrialization of Farming
How did corn go from a traditional American staple crop to an industrial product? Check out our new infographic and learn what the history of corn can teach us about the industrialization of the food system.
Are You Getting What You Paid For? Key Food Questions to Ask
In the world of food, a label does't always let you know what you are getting, let alone to know if it is sustainable. To navigate the complicated world of making more sustainable food choices, here are a few questions to ask to make sure you are getting the real deal.
A Thanksgiving Dinner Timeline: Thanksgiving Through the Years
From swan (yes, that's right - we said swan) to Jell-O salad to goat cheese mashed potatoes, our Thanksgiving menus have evolved through American history. Here are a few years from the American history book to take a look at how our Thanksgiving food has changed.
Investors Find Industrial Meat Too Risky, Tell Global Food Companies to Diversify
A new briefing seeks to "turn up the heat on meat" by outlining the risks and opportunities of reducing demand for animal proteins and developing a larger market for plant-based protein.
Corn, Factory Farming and the Global Economy
Little of the corn grown in the US goes to (directly) feed the American people. In this last piece of our series on corn's impact on agriculture in the US, we look at where industrially-grown corn actually does go: mainly to animal feed, ethanol production and overseas.
5 Ways Labor is Fighting for Fairness in Our Food System
Our food system is heavily reliant on people to plant, pick and serve our food - and many labor groups have been working tirelessly to advocate for the well-being of these food workers. Here are five examples of how the people who work in our food system are fighting for fair treatment - and how you can help.
Ethanol and a Mandate to Grow Corn
The corn crop in the US will help to supply the required 18 billion gallons of ethanol in 2016, which will add to the strain of devoting more environmental resources to produce corn. Read on for the latest in our series on corn and its impact on our food system.
Yes, Organic Farming Can Feed the World!
How we feed the world is currently out of balance: one billion people go hungry, while one billion eat too much. However, a recent Friends of the Earth report found that agroecological farming practices, combined with democratic institutions, can create a fairer, more resilient and sustainable food system.
What's Dent Corn and What Is it Used For? (And Why Should We Care?)
As the dominant agriculture commodity in the US, corn has found its way into a large part of American life, but this comes with costs from both environmental and public health standpoints. Learn more about what dent corn is, what's it made into and why we should care.
