Featuring: leading consumer GMO expert and author Jeffrey Smith Location: Old First Reformed UCC Church, 151 N. 4th (at Race Street) Philadelphia, PA, 19106 Date: Earth Day, Monday, April 22, 2013  Time: 7 pm. Doors open at 6 pm.

Featuring: leading consumer GMO expert and author Jeffrey Smith Location: Old First Reformed UCC Church, 151 N. 4th (at Race Street) Philadelphia, PA, 19106 Date: Earth Day, Monday, April 22, 2013  Time: 7 pm. Doors open at 6 pm.

Featuring: leading consumer GMO expert and author Jeffrey Smith Location: Old First Reformed UCC Church, 151 N. 4th (at Race Street) Philadelphia, PA, 19106 Date: Earth Day, Monday, April 22, 2013  Time: 7 pm. Doors open at 6 pm.

Today's New York Times has a story (fortunately for the purposes of educating people, it's their "Most Emailed" story of the day so far) about the continuing die-off of honeybees, which is apparently getting even worse. The article mentions several different theories for why this is happening with special emphasis on the possible role of a pesticide derived from nicotine that actually gets delivered through the plants themselves. I imagine most people who read this blog have some idea of how serious this issue is but in case you didn't here's the fun fact of the day from the article:

Nor is the impact limited to beekeepers. The Agriculture Department says a quarter of the American diet, from apples to cherries to watermelons to onions, depends on pollination by honeybees. Fewer bees means smaller harvests and higher food prices.

(Emphasis added.) And I'm pretty sure that the quarter of the American diet being most effected is not the one that includes diet soda, cheeseburgers and pixie sticks. So what can be done? Start voting with your wallet. Shop at places where the food was produced by small-scale farmers who avoid these kinds of pesticides. Consider CSAs, farmers' markets, and local co-ops. Your budget may take a hit in the short run but that's nothing compared to the hit we're all going to take if one-quarter (the good quarter) of our diet disappears.

Today's New York Times has a story (fortunately for the purposes of educating people, it's their "Most Emailed" story of the day so far) about the continuing die-off of honeybees, which is apparently getting even worse. The article mentions several different theories for why this is happening with special emphasis on the possible role of a pesticide derived from nicotine that actually gets delivered through the plants themselves. I imagine most people who read this blog have some idea of how serious this issue is but in case you didn't here's the fun fact of the day from the article:

Nor is the impact limited to beekeepers. The Agriculture Department says a quarter of the American diet, from apples to cherries to watermelons to onions, depends on pollination by honeybees. Fewer bees means smaller harvests and higher food prices.

(Emphasis added.) And I'm pretty sure that the quarter of the American diet being most effected is not the one that includes diet soda, cheeseburgers and pixie sticks. So what can be done? Start voting with your wallet. Shop at places where the food was produced by small-scale farmers who avoid these kinds of pesticides. Consider CSAs, farmers' markets, and local co-ops. Your budget may take a hit in the short run but that's nothing compared to the hit we're all going to take if one-quarter (the good quarter) of our diet disappears.

  Dozens of states are working on legislation that would require labeling of food containing Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO). Groups like Food and Water Watch are working to make such a labeling law a reality. The risks of GMO foods are unclear, in large part because the research so far conducted has been inadequate in scope, duration, and independence, because the vast majority of the research has been conducted or funded by companies selling GMO crops. These companies use their patent rights to limit independent research on their products. Please take action by signing the Food and Water Watch petition demanding labeling of GMO foods in Pennsylvania.

Dozens of states are working on legislation that would require labeling of food containing Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO). Groups like Food and Water Watch are working to make such a labeling law a reality. The risks of GMO foods are unclear, in large part because the research so far conducted has been inadequate in scope, duration, and independence, because the vast majority of the research has been conducted or funded by companies selling GMO crops. These companies use their patent rights to limit independent research on their products. Please take action by signing the Food and Water Watch petition demanding labeling of GMO foods in Pennsylvania.

Chard Over Cheetos: Fostering Healthy Food Choices in an Era of Junk

A panel discussion with: Kenji Tabery, Healthy Corner Store Initiative, The Food Trust Charles Matthews, Rebel Ventures, Urban Nutrition Initiative (to be confirmed) Tia McDonald, Vetri Foundation for Children Thursday, March 28, 2013 6:00-7:30 p.m. South Philadelphia Branch of the Free Library, Broad and Morris Streets FREE TO ATTEND! ****PLEASE CLICK HERE TO RSVP ONLINE**** Experience National Nutrition Month at the Free Library of Philadelphia! In an age where more than two-thirds of the nation is overweight or obese, type-2 “adult onset” diabetes is striking children, and health care costs are skyrocketing, the need to develop healthy eating habits in our communities is more urgent than ever. But spreading the gospel of health and wellness is an uphill battle, especially when the areas most at risk are places where healthy food choices are most inaccessible. Despite the challenges, there is progress being made towards a healthier reality for many Philadelphia neighborhoods, especially when it comes to kids. In honor of National Nutrition Month, the South Philly Food Co-op and the Free Library of Philadelphia are pleased to welcome a panel of experienced game changes to highlight some of the innovative efforts from across the city to make the healthy choice the easy choice. We hope you’ll join us as we hear from a few of the amazing folks that are out on the street making healthy food choices available to everyone. We’ll hear from Kenji Tabery, program manager from the Food Trust’s Healthy Corner Store Initiative, which is leading the nation in its efforts to bring fresh food to corner stores in underserved neighborhoods. From the Vetri Foundation for Children, which is turning the lunchroom from a junk food gym into a real deal dining room, Chef Tia McDonald will give us her perspective on helping kids eat great, five days a week. Fresh food is so hot the kids are doing it too – we’ll also be joined by Charles Matthews, a 10th grader from West Philadelphia who is working to run Rebel Ventures, a business venture of Penn’s Urban Nutrition Initiative, producing homemade granola bars to sell to fellow students. The Co-op is very excited to hear from this great group and we hope that you’ll join us to explore the challenges and rewards of switching Cheetos for chard! Rebellious refreshments will be served.

Chard Over Cheetos: Fostering Healthy Food Choices in an Era of Junk
A panel discussion with:
Kenji Tabery, Healthy Corner Store Initiative, The Food Trust
Charles Matthews, Rebel Ventures, Urban Nutrition Initiative (to be confirmed)
Tia McDonald, Vetri Foundation for Children

Thursday, March 28, 2013
6:00-7:30 p.m.
South Philadelphia Branch of the Free Library, Broad and Morris Streets

FREE TO ATTEND!

****PLEASE CLICK HERE TO RSVP ONLINE****

Experience National Nutrition Month at the Free Library of Philadelphia!

In an age where more than two-thirds of the nation is overweight or obese, type-2 “adult onset” diabetes is striking children, and health care costs are skyrocketing, the need to develop healthy eating habits in our communities is more urgent than ever. But spreading the gospel of health and wellness is an uphill battle, especially when the areas most at risk are places where healthy food choices are most inaccessible. Despite the challenges, there is progress being made towards a healthier reality for many Philadelphia neighborhoods, especially when it comes to kids. In honor of National Nutrition Month, the South Philly Food Co-op and the Free Library of Philadelphia are pleased to welcome a panel of experienced game changes to highlight some of the innovative efforts from across the city to make the healthy choice the easy choice.

We hope you’ll join us as we hear from a few of the amazing folks that are out on the street making healthy food choices available to everyone. We’ll hear from Kenji Tabery, program manager from the Food Trust’s Healthy Corner Store Initiative, which is leading the nation in its efforts to bring fresh food to corner stores in underserved neighborhoods. From the Vetri Foundation for Children, which is turning the lunchroom from a junk food gym into a real deal dining room, Chef Tia McDonald will give us her perspective on helping kids eat great, five days a week. Fresh food is so hot the kids are doing it too – we’ll also be joined by Charles Matthews, a 10th grader from West Philadelphia who is working to run Rebel Ventures, a business venture of Penn’s Urban Nutrition Initiative, producing homemade granola bars to sell to fellow students.

The Co-op is very excited to hear from this great group and we hope that you’ll join us to explore the challenges and rewards of switching Cheetos for chard!

Rebellious refreshments will be served.

File this in "supporting local businesses!" (While also dining at some great places.) Feast on a 3-course prix fixe lunch and/or dinner at 21 award-winning East Passyunk restaurants for either $15, $25 or $35. From low key BYOBs to elegant candlelight dining, East Passyunk Restaurant Week boasts a diversity of dining experiences and cuisines that offers something for everyone. Come hungry! For a full list of restaurants, menus and reservations, go to www.eastpassyunkrestaurantweek.com. Tell your friends you plan on going by RSVPing at their Facebook page. And if you happen to get to chat with one of the owners of these fine establishments, let them know that you saw information about them on the South Philly Food Co-op's website and ask whether they'd like to be part of our Shop South Philly Program. (It can't hurt to ask!)