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Deconstructing Dinner|"Soil Matters CSA II / Marion Nestle" (encore) Episode
www.cjly.net/deconstructingdinner/052109.htmSoil Matters CSAOne of the greatest threats facing farmers today and hence facing our own food supply is the financial rewards
found in the field of farming, rewards that are seemingly more often then not, in the negative digits.
Many argue that food and agriculture should be removed from global trade regimes. One of the reasons for such
an idea comes from a belief that farmers themselves should not have to bear the financial risks associated with
such a volatile industry, and all people should equally share such risks as food is a need and not a desire.
One alternative to the dominant food system is the model of Community Supported Agriculture, whereby a set number
of people within a city or town become a member of a farm, and in doing so pay the farmers at the beginning of
the season when farmers need the money most. Members who join are then guaranteed what is most often a weekly
box of fresh produce. As many farmers know all too well how easily an entire crop can be lost due to weather,
pests or unforseen circumstances, members of a CSA share this risk with the farmer and on the other side can also
share in the abundance. Just outside of Nelson, British Columbia, two intrepid farmers who only began farming a few
years ago, have launched a CSA this year. Host Jon Steinman chose to become a member and document the process of
creating a CSA and the potential for such a model to reconnect people with their food and provide farmers with a
more secure source of income.
Part II
On September 8, Soil Matters hosted a members potluck and discussion. Deconstructing Dinner's Jon Steinman
facilitated the discussion where members shared their experiences of becoming part of a CSA. How has joining a farm
changed eating patterns? How has working on the farm reshaped our connection to food? What changes should be made to the
administration and functioning of the CSA for next year?
Marion Nestle - "The Ethics of Food Marketing"
Marion Nestle is the Paulette Goddard Professor
of Nutrition, Food Studies, and Public Health at New York University, in the department that she chaired from
1988 through 2003. She also holds appointments as Professor of Sociology in NYU's College of Arts and Sciences
and as a Visiting Professor of Nutritional Sciences in the College of Agriculture at Cornell University. Her
degrees include a Ph.D. in molecular biology and an M.P.H. in public health nutrition, both from the University
of California, Berkeley. Her research focuses on the politics of food with an emphasis on the role of food
marketing as a determinant of dietary choice. She is the author of "Food
Politics: How the Food Industry Influences Nutrition and Health" (University of California Press, 2002) and "Safe Food: Bacteria, Biotechnology,
and Bioterrorism" (University of California Press, 2003), and is co-editor of "Taking Sides: Clashing Views on
Controversial Issues in Food and Nutrition" (McGraw-Hill/Dushkin, 2004). Her new book, "What to Eat," was
published in May, 2006.
In November 2006, Princeton University hosted a
5-part conference, exploring the broad and compelling issues and
ethical dilemmas surrounding food production in the U.S. and the choices individuals make regarding the food they
eat. Marion Nestle was invited to speak on "The Ethics of Food Marketing". We hear segments from her presentation.
[ Sat, 23 May 2009 17:57:00 GMT ]
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