Environment
Starbucks, are you contributing to farmer suicides?
Just as it takes more than one formula to create a latte at Starbucks, sustainability includes multiple ingredients. Sustainability in food production takes a big picture look at the environment, the ability of family businesses to succeed long-term and contribute to their local communities – AND the nutrition value food brings to society. Expanding plant-based beverages does not necessarily mitigate climate change, but it does have consequences – many that impact farmers in a mental health crisis.
Read MoreDoes your voice matter in the politics of food & agriculture? Episode 21
“Misrepresentation that affects farm families through agricultural policy” is what food bullying looks like to to Oregon State Representative Shelly Davis. She shares her experiences as an elected official, building consensus by reaching across the aisle, and what she saw with the #TimberUnity movement in Oregon. “Your voice matters” – especially when combined with others.
Read MoreA father & farmer on food bullying & fruitcakes: Episode 17
“When we create anxiety around food because of different arbitrary rules that are put in place by people, especially with younger kids, it makes kids scared about what they eat.” Dad Ben LaCross shares how his daughter was food bullied by a teacher in school. As a Michigan cherry farmer, he takes us through the process of growing, harvesting, and processing cherries – and many of the challenges cherry farmers face.
Read MoreIs your emotional brain being tricked by food marketers? Episode 16
“Food marketers are well aware of the kind of differences amongst these technologies in terms of which ones we like and which ones we don’t like.” Dr. Tyler Davis, a neuroscience researcher at Texas Tech, helps us understand of the high-risk food technologies that he has researched and shares tips on how we can overcome food bullying by understanding more about the brain.
Read MoreWhy does food bullying hurt farmers?
There’s a lot of pressure on farmers to do the best that they can to not only protect our environment, but also have a sustainable business. Most of the time, we are not giving farmers space to thrive, but often dictating what they should and shouldn’t do. Theresia Gillie is a soybean and wheat farmer from Minnesota, helping listeners understand what it is like to be a farmer-and how food bullying hurts the families growing our food.
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