Michael Pollan, author of The Omnivore's Dilemma and In Defense Of Food, has a great article in the New York Times (http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/12/magazine/12policy-t.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1 ).
In the form of a letter to the president-elect, Pollan outlines why the president should be working on food policies, since it directly affects global warming (farming is the second largest user of fossil fuels after cars), the economy (food is not so cheap anymore), and health care (1 of 3 children born in 2000 are expected to develop type 2 diabetes).
Pollan explains how we got to where we are today and gives some excellent detailed advice for how a new food system could work, where the government:
- encourages and reward those that do "sun farming" rather than farms relying on fossil fuels
- builds an infrastructure that supports diversified farming rather than monocrops
- allows foods stamps and issues WIC coupons to be used at farmers markets which woulds also help attract farmers markets to urban areas
- makes sure all schools have gardens, kitchens and workers trained to cook real food
- sets an example by hiring a white house chef active in the local and organic food movement
No comments:
Post a Comment