New USDA Dietary Guidelines Just Out – Michael Pollan Did It First

The 2010 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee spent almost 2 years researching and writing a 453-page document, Report of the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010, which was provided to the USDA and to the public as well as food industry for comment. Michael Pollan said it first.

Mysterious Vanishing Food: Beef and Blueberries

In 1984, Clara Peller angrily asked “Where’s the beef?” in a series of Wendy’s commercials. Now, 27 years later, we’re not only looking for the beef – Hey, Taco Bell! We’re looking for blueberries, pomegranates, and all kinds of other real food in our “edible food-like substances.”

Voices From the Farm: It’s All about Sheep!

From the frozen hills of southeastern Minnesota, not far from the intersection of Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa, we got an email recently from Lea McEvilly, 84, shepherdess. After nearly 46 years of raising and caring for as many as 300 sheep on 80 acres with just the help of her dogs for most of those years, Lea is selling her last remaining flock.

Casino of Hunger – Wall Street Speculators and the 2008 Food Crisis

Food and Water Watch has published a new report that examines how speculation on the commodity markets – which include agriculture – drove up prices. In the spring of 2008, huge jumps in food prices – up nearly double in the previous two years – triggered food riots around the world.

USDA Deregulates Genetically Modified Alfalfa

In a decision that has the “good food world” scratching its head, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack made a quick u-turn to give big ag a free lunch when it comes to GMOs. Here are just a few of the comments from a wide range of publications.