Because I feel very strongly about supporting local food endeavors and educating people on environmental issues, I recently made an announcement of an upcoming showing of “Fresh, The Movie” and “Food, Inc.”
In my e-mail I stated: “Please keep this in the back of your minds to come to because these are two VERY IMPORTANT films that anyone concerned about our food supply really needs to see.”
I received an reply from a editor in the Charlottesville area:
“I question the validity of your statement that either or both of these films are important for everyone to see.”
Excuse me????
If you are truly concerned about our food system I would think that you’d want people to see these films.
If you feel that the public has been purposely kept in the dark by the FDA, USDA, the food industry, large corporations like Wal-Mart, chemical giants such as Monsanto, fast food companies and large agribusiness concerns, how can you ‘question the validity’ of my attempt to educate consumers?
Current health statistics cite rising rates of cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, food allergies, birth defects and a host of diseases from our modern diet. Consumption of food laced with pesticides, additives, hormones, antibiotics, artificial colorings and flavorings are making people sick. Society’s dependence on cheap processed foods, proffered by our ‘friends’ in the food industry and fast food chains, have led to a frightening rate of obesity, illness & premature death. With this in mind, can you honestly say that either or both of these films are NOT important?
Pending legislation threatens the very existence of small farms and farmer’s markets across this country. Passage, without amendments, will sound a death knell for small farmers and severely damage organic food concerns. If you support our farmers and local food initiatives, then I would hope you would be for the dissemination of this information.
If you are committed to preserving the right of citizens to get their food directly from small farmers, instead of corporate giants who put profits ahead of the health of their customers, why then do you not support this venue?
Are you at all concerned about Monsanto and their tactics of bullying, spying on and putting small farmers out of business through litigation?
Do you question Monsanto’s worldwide monopoly for Round-Up Ready crops? What about the environmental effect of farmer’s increasing use of pesticides on all GMOs? Are you unfazed about the environmental impact of pesticides on the health of this planet & ALL of its inhabitants?
“Fresh” captured many accolades in 2009. Among them were official selections from: Environmental Film Festival, Sustainable Living Film Festival, Newport Beach Film Festival, Maine International Film Festival and the Kerry Film Festival. It was reviewed far and wide, garnering praise for insightful views into the food world.
“Food, Inc” also was applauded in many circles last year. In addition to the Gotham Award, it also was on the list for Academy Award for Best Documentary, the 25th Anniversary Spirit Award, and is on the list for an Oscar Award.
Everyone that I’ve talked to who has seen either (or both) agrees that these two films are important.
Methinks, dear scribe, that you are outnumbered!
The environment is tops on everyone’s list. Browse the ‘new and notable’ tables at your favorite book store and GREEN jumps out at every turn.
You can help introduce your friends and family to environmentally friendly living, too.
Give them a GREEN GIFT of organic personal care, 
or bath salts, 
or perhaps some
mustard bath. 
or a detox seaweed bath 
Henna hair coloring 
is a great way to lessen a loved one’s exposure to possible carcinogens in chemical dyes.
You can promote sustainability, independence and encourage environmentally friendly business in impoverished nations by purchasing fair trade gifts. 
Artisans worldwide produce crafts and are paid a fair wage. This also helps preserve ancient crafts which are rapidly disappearing as populations move to urban areas.
Another great way to introduce environmentally friendly living is to get a GIFT CERTIFICATE to start a friend sampling some environmentally responsible products. Often people are a bit hesitant to give up what they know, but once they try things, they find they are doing TWO things at once: saving the environment and being more environmentally responsible themselves!
This could be toward the purchase of a Sun-Mar composter 
or perhaps a rain barrel…, 
or even for a composting toilet 
or maybe for a portable solar powered battery charger, 
which is great for travellers!
We also have unusual 
art and 
gifts like original art 
by local Virginia artists.
There are many ways that you can spread the word about sustainable, green and helping the environment!
When most people think of ‘Fair Trade’ they usually think of Latin America, Southeast Asia and Africa. The Canaan Fair Trade Association benefits rural Palestinian communities. This is an empowering chance for Palestinian farmers in a war torn region.
Dr. Nasser Abufarha, of the Canaan Fair Trade Association, says that the empowerment of these rural areas caught in the conflict is enabling them to sustain themselves with respect and dignity. There is a direct working relationship with these communities using fair trade concepts.
The crop they produce is olive oil. There is no current Fair Trade Labeling Organization certification (FLO) for olive oil, so they have developed their own using those guidelines. After adoption by the Palestinian Fair Trade Association, their co-ops, processors and exporters, they have been certified Fair Trade by the institute of Marketology in Switzerland.
This provides access to a fair trade product that is produced across the largest sector of Palestinian society (Rural Palestine). The farmers receive sustainable prices for their products and fair wages for all the workers along the supply chain. Fair trade Palestinian farmers receive a 10% fair trade premium above the market price and another 10% organic premium, again above the market price.
What does this accomplish? It provides a place for Palestinians in the Fair Trade market and benefits rural Palestinian farmers. It promotes cross-cultural, multi-faith and multi-ethnic connections for all sectors of the fair trade process. From farmers to workers, processors, traders, exporters, importers, distributors and consumers - one community is created based on fair exchange.
The Canaan Fair Trade Associaton hopes to establish traditional sustainable farming and to build an alternate cultural expression with connections to the outside world.
These fair trade Palestinian products are available in the US: sun-dried tomotoes, couscous, olive oil, organic tahini, honey, almonds are available at: http://www.canaanfairtrade.com