Comments on: Food Crisis a major issue for incoming president http://downtoearthblog.com/foodproduction/food-crisis-a-major-issue-for-incoming-president/archives/166 Facts, opinions and reflections on being a techno-geek granolarancher Mom Thu, 17 May 2012 21:01:20 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.2 By: Lisa http://downtoearthblog.com/foodproduction/food-crisis-a-major-issue-for-incoming-president/archives/166#comment-2709 Lisa Tue, 04 Nov 2008 18:50:35 +0000 http://downtoearthblog.com/foodproduction/food-crisis-a-major-issue-for-incoming-president/archives/166#comment-2709 I think there is room for reform, but the thought of Michael Pollan leading the way freaks me out. He is a gifted writer and has passionate followers; but his dismissal of modern ag practices (ie large scale production and biotech crops) is unrealistic in the face of the food prodcution challenges we (the world) face. According to the FAO, we have to produce as much food by 2050 as we have produced IN TOTAL in the past 10,000 years. Just isn't possible to do so if we limit ourselves to organic, slow food, or local production. There's room enough, and need enough, to embrace all food production methods. I think there is room for reform, but the thought of Michael Pollan leading the way freaks me out. He is a gifted writer and has passionate followers; but his dismissal of modern ag practices (ie large scale production and biotech crops) is unrealistic in the face of the food prodcution challenges we (the world) face. According to the FAO, we have to produce as much food by 2050 as we have produced IN TOTAL in the past 10,000 years. Just isn’t possible to do so if we limit ourselves to organic, slow food, or local production. There’s room enough, and need enough, to embrace all food production methods.

]]> By: Jennifer http://downtoearthblog.com/foodproduction/food-crisis-a-major-issue-for-incoming-president/archives/166#comment-2414 Jennifer Fri, 24 Oct 2008 03:05:14 +0000 http://downtoearthblog.com/foodproduction/food-crisis-a-major-issue-for-incoming-president/archives/166#comment-2414 I agree with Suzanne, Pollan does sometimes make good points but he also makes a lot of broad sweeping generalizations about agriculture. He also tends to want to blame obesity solely on high nutrient food density and totally ignores the fact that our lifestyles have become more sedentary over the last 50 years. Ignoring that as a factor is ridiculous. Poor city planning where suburban dwellers have to drive everywhere have higher incidents of people being obese that places that have neighborhoods that have services in walking distance and a culture of walking more. Entertainment is also a lot more sedentary amongst the urban public as well, yet Pollan ignores all of this and want to place all the blame for obesity on cheap industrially produced processed food. In the end there is plenty of healthy fresh food out there and there's nothing wrong with processed food if eaten in moderation. People just need to take responsibility for themselves, their eating habits and their activity levels. I agree with Suzanne, Pollan does sometimes make good points but he also makes a lot of broad sweeping generalizations about agriculture. He also tends to want to blame obesity solely on high nutrient food density and totally ignores the fact that our lifestyles have become more sedentary over the last 50 years. Ignoring that as a factor is ridiculous.

Poor city planning where suburban dwellers have to drive everywhere have higher incidents of people being obese that places that have neighborhoods that have services in walking distance and a culture of walking more. Entertainment is also a lot more sedentary amongst the urban public as well, yet Pollan ignores all of this and want to place all the blame for obesity on cheap industrially produced processed food.

In the end there is plenty of healthy fresh food out there and there’s nothing wrong with processed food if eaten in moderation. People just need to take responsibility for themselves, their eating habits and their activity levels.

]]> By: Suzanne http://downtoearthblog.com/foodproduction/food-crisis-a-major-issue-for-incoming-president/archives/166#comment-2287 Suzanne Mon, 20 Oct 2008 16:05:30 +0000 http://downtoearthblog.com/foodproduction/food-crisis-a-major-issue-for-incoming-president/archives/166#comment-2287 Thanks for mentioning this. I will say that I'm not sure Michael Pollan is the best spokesperson to frame food issues for our next president, but some of this stuff is important. Thanks for mentioning this. I will say that I’m not sure Michael Pollan is the best spokesperson to frame food issues for our next president, but some of this stuff is important.

]]> By: Sara http://downtoearthblog.com/foodproduction/food-crisis-a-major-issue-for-incoming-president/archives/166#comment-2184 Sara Fri, 17 Oct 2008 02:41:13 +0000 http://downtoearthblog.com/foodproduction/food-crisis-a-major-issue-for-incoming-president/archives/166#comment-2184 Today I got a (mass) e-mail from the <a href="http://www.farmland.org/default.asp" rel="nofollow">American Farmland Trust</a>. <blockquote>"While our stance is different on some topics, we applaud Mr. Pollan for highlighting the work that must be done to ensure a healthy future for farms, food and communities. "</blockquote> <a href="http://www.farmland.org/news/newsletters/farmfreshnews/2008/special-announcement.asp" rel="nofollow">Read the letter</a>. There's some thought-provoking things in there. Today I got a (mass) e-mail from the American Farmland Trust.

“While our stance is different on some topics, we applaud Mr. Pollan for highlighting the work that must be done to ensure a healthy future for farms, food and communities. “

Read the letter. There’s some thought-provoking things in there.

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