Community-based food systems

Like Food, Does Money Need to Go Local?

The current Wall Street financial crisis has me thinking about potential parallels to food. Not long ago, the vast majority of Americans had little choice but to consume a diet dominated by industrially produced food. We were becoming the culture of Wonder Bread. But then some alternative ideas started to break through.

Food Waste

The Stockholm International Water Institute issued a new report (while many of us were vacationing in August) that is worth revisiting. The report covers an aspect of the global food crisis that is often missed: waste.

One mini-market at a time

In the U.S., a food desert has been described as a large geographic area where mainstream grocery stores are absent. Most U.S. food deserts are found in low-income communities where residents often struggle to find fresh fruits and vegetables.

Wal-Mart and Local Food Economics

Last week, Wal-Mart announced a new commitment to "go local" and source more locally-grown fruits and vegetables. Where did this come from? Is Wal-Mart's announcement a signal that the global food economy is undergoing a major shift toward local - or just opportunistic corporate marketing? Or maybe a little of both?

That Ungrateful Middle Class

In his January 16 column in the New York Times, Professor Steven Landsburg criticized Republican Presidential candidates for pandering to displaced workers in Michigan, counter to the free trade dogma that he supports.
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