Two documentaries, Fresh and Food, Inc., have recently premiered, addressing the dangers of our industrialized food systems and offering some examples of how changes are being made. Both films remind us of how we can make a difference in reducing the amount of fossil fuels, antibiotics, growth hormones, and unhealthy ingredients go into our food system.

In both films, Michael Pollan, author of The Omnivore’s Dilemma, describes some of the worst impacts of our food system from reliance on corn to the loss of diversity in farming. Joel Salatin’s Polyface Farm is portrayed as an idyllic diverse farm, but both films also show the struggle that a majority of farmers and ranchers have in escaping the industrialized markets. Gary Hirshberg, the inspirational founder of Stonyfield Farms shows how better-for-you foods can be affordable through selling organic yogurt to Walmart and trying to keep the perfect from being the enemy of the good. These themes are what has inspired the feelgoodfastfood.org blog to continue the conversation started by Eric Schlosser in Fast Food Nation. It is also what inspired the launch of Amanda’s in Berkeley, CA to offer affordable, approachable, convenient meals that use good quality ingredients and embrace environmental values.

While these topics can be discouraging, especially when most of us face limited time and budgets, there are hopeful suggestions that we can all start to incorporate. We can start to ask questions of our current food suppliers - what do you serve that is organic or local? is your meat naturally-raised without the use of antibiotics and growth hormones? We can start to make incremental choices to eat more local ingredients, less meat, and more fruits and vegetables to change our own health and the health of our world. Please see these films, discuss them with your communities, and join us in helping to change the world one meal at a time.

There’s no use belaboring the facts of climate change and its potentially drastic effects. What is important however, is how we respond to the new knowledge we have about human impact on climate change. In choosing to be more environmentally conscious, businesses and homeowners have options over how to reduce negative effects of global warming..

Some utility companies now offer green pricing programs which gives their customers the choice to pay extra to ensure all of the energy they use is produced by renewable sources. Another option is to invest money in more energy efficient technology to reduce overall electricity consumption. From an economic perspective, money being spent to reduce the impacts of global warming should be spent in the most cost effective way; thus, the greatest amount of emissions reduction per dollar spent.

As California’s renewable energy portfolio (20% renewable by 2010) continues to lead the country with its high standards, our utility companies will increase the percentage of their power mix coming from renewable sources. PG&E in Northern California, in particular, already boasts that about half of the electricity delivered to its customers comes from either renewable and/or non-greenhouse gas emitting sources, such as hydroelectricity. Utility companies dedicating a greater percentage of their power mix to renewable energy means that concerned customers may prefer to focus their emission reduction efforts on increasing energy efficiency, being able to get the same job done with less energy.

In this spirit, Amanda’s Restaurant in Berkeley, CA has dedicated itself to being more energy efficient, using the latest Energy Star rated appliances as part of its environmental commitment. Energy Star is a program backed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy that helps customers easily recognize efficient products that reliably demonstrate energy savings. Look for the Energy Star logo when supporting local businesses and purchasing new appliances for your home. Energy Star and other energy efficient products may be the most cost effective way concerned consumers like you and I can do our part to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

It’s true—gone are the days when slow food and fast food were unheard of as being one and the same.

 Because we believe in creating a community through environmentally sustainable practices and healthy foods, we support  and encourage the three principles of “good, clean and fair” foods that the Slow Food movement was structured upon.

 The Slow Food movement, as defined by Slow Food USA, is “ an idea, a way of living, and a way of eating” supported globally yet primarily reliant upon community’s involvement, with a mission to change the food system by making it affordable to all and reconnecting Americans with the people and traditions that generate our foods. Through it, there is the hope of ensuring “ equity, sustainability, and pleasure”.

Good news! There are several opportunities for community involvement available through Slow Food USA.  Not only is there a chapter established in Berkeley , but there are also national programs dedicated to expanding this food movement to areas such as elementary schools and college campuses through activities that range from improving school lunches, to examining food justice issues.

Local Slow Food events this summer:

 June 13, 2:00 to 5:00 p.m.

-Potluck Picnic Party in Tilden Park – enjoy summer with shared organic and locally grown/raised/brewed foods!