Home again, home again, to our national food culture
“Make half your plate fruits and vegetables,” says the USDA, which recently introduced “My Plate,” a new nutritional icon. Not a problem for garden-tenders with productive backyards and back fields, or people who live near farmer’s markets and produce stands. ...
Not just nets…
In the global movement to fight malaria, we often hear the phrase “nothing but nets.” It’s catchy and alliterative and makes the containment of malaria sound oh-so simple; really it’s everything a catchphrase ought to be. And mosquito nets, especially...
Animal-less meat?
Would you eat a hamburger that was never part of walking, breathing cow? Apparently we’re not too far from that as an option. Stem cell research is allowing scientists to take two cow stem cells, put them in a petri dish, and...
Turning yachts to bread
On Thursday mornings I often meet with the men in my church for breakfast and a Bible study. It is a time of good fun and healthy conversation. Last week one of the regulars forwarded this post by Tony Schwartz...
Slow Food, Sore Feet
A bowl of chewy bread is placed in front of us, with a green bottle whose label, the size of a bandage, modestly identifies the town where this white wine was produced. Next comes a wooden plate of chopped octopus...
The future is bright…
So my last post pointed to what I perceive to be a ever growing crisis. Dennis’ comments showed at least one area where we can find more food… by limiting our waste! Here is a brief YouTube clip from über-genius doctor...
Hunger is about so much more than food
I’ve been watching the news of the Mississippi river flooding with interest. In any immediate way, it has nothing to do with me. I’m hundreds of miles away, going about my days. But at the same time, the news coverage...
A renewed sense of urgency
Two studies caught my interest last week. The first, from the UN, estimates that in October of this year, the world’s population will exceed 7 billion. If the current trends continue, in 12 short years (before my daughter is in...
Prophetic wisdom not my own
This morning I received an email from George Johnson, retired pastor and former director of the ALC Hunger Program (the predecessor to ELCA World Hunger). His thoughts were so provocative I felt they should have a broader audience. George asks...
Overwhelmed
I’ve been feeling overwhelmed by the food issues of my life and our world this week. It’s partly an occupational hazard, working in world hunger. But it’s also just life, and sometimes it hits me harder than others. This week, it’s...