Health
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 MoreHow to overcome food anxiety & B.S. health claims: Episode 22
“The food and health marketing industry is out-of-control,” says Australian RDN & exercise physiologist Bill Sukala. Advertising confuses people and creates anxieties around food and health. Bill brings a voice of reason and is concerned that the “gatekeeper of information has been chloroformed.” His B.S. detector raises red flags about bad information, misinformation and quackery in food and health claims.
Read MoreHow to have a meaningful conversation about food: Episode 20
“Do you think our psychology around food is skewed not just because sometimes we can be hypocritical in our choices but because what we want to believe isn’t always true?” It’s tough to have a meaningful conversation with others in today’s overly emotional food arena. Millennial dietitian Leia Flure explains the steps to maintaining respectful discussion and making personal choices about what you eat. She suggests more critical thinking is needed in food-based decisions by being analytical and verifying information.
Read MoreWhy do bullies call farmers animal abusers? Episode 19
Why is it so easy to call farmers names despite the great efforts they put in place to ensure we have food? “It hurts so much when someone says that I am an animal abuser because sometimes I work day and night take care of my animals.” German dairy farmer Agnes Greggersen, from the northern…
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.
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