Food and Farming
Vegan Misgivings
Thanksgiving is upon us. I once loved this holiday above all others — but no more.
The Skinny on Farm Subsidies and Obesity
The nation’s increasingly poor diet, packed with processed and fast foods, is driving the obesity epidemic. This is leading many media commentators to blame government subsidy payments to farmers who grow crops like corn and soybeans. But this just isn’t true.
Food System Pays Dearly as Wall Street Occupies Washington
Despite the Occupy Wall Street movement’s now month-long direct challenge to corporate and financial industry power, the machine keeps rolling along.
Manliness in a Can
If you worry that American corporations have lost the innovative, can-do edge necessary to compete in today’s global economy, you need to spend some time with Dr Pepper.
New Rules will Support Farmers and Jobs
Several lawmakers are proposing a time-out on new regulations to supposedly generate a more job-friendly environment. To some that might sound reasonable given the nation’s entrenched unemployment, but there’s one set of new rules in particular that should not be blocked.
Wendy’s ‘Improved’ Burger
At first blush, you might think that “Dave’s Hot ‘N Juicy” is the title of a pornographic movie. Actually, it’s only a hamburger.
Big Agriculture’s Latin American Exploits
You may wonder why President Barack Obama is so intent on passing a free trade agreement with Colombia. One answer is simple enough: Big Agriculture.
DuPont’s Herbicide Goes Rogue
In the corporate world’s tortured language, workers are no longer fired. They just experience an “employment adjustment.” But the most twisted euphemism I’ved heard in a long time comes from DuPont: “We are investigating the reports of these unfavorable tree symptoms,” the pesticide maker recently stated.
Truckers Play a Key Food Safety Role
Food safety is running afoul in Springdale — in more ways than one. First, meat and grain agribusiness giant Cargill Inc. recalled 36 million pounds of ground turkey linked to a salmonella outbreak and temporarily shut its turkey processing plant in the Arkansas city in early August. Then, a Tyson Foods driver died after being pinned between two truck trailers outside a Springdale poultry plant.
Waiter, There’s a Newfangled Technology in My Soup
The U.S. food system has a new bedfellow, and it may already be on your plate.
