Archive for March, 2010

Posted by Robert DuBois | March 31st, 2010

As you read in our post last week, my friend Aaron and I are about to embark on a 100-day cross-country bike trip across America, where we’ll capture the stories of local food through potlucks, and share them in rich media (photo/video/audio) on our website, bikeloc.org.

We’re currently competing for a $5,000 grant which is crucial to making our trip happen, and need as many votes as we can get to secure our position in the top 10 (top 10 projects receive funding). Today is the last day of voting. We’re currently in 6th, but rapidly dropped to 9th last night, so we know we’re not guaranteed a position in the top 10.

Please, if you have a few seconds to spare today, vote for us and spread the word. It only takes a couple of clicks, and will mean a lot for our project and local food! Thank you.

√ Vote for Bikeloc – today is your last chance: refresheverything.com/bikeloc

Note: Make sure to click “vote” again after you’ve signed in, otherwise your vote will not count.

In food,

Robert DuBois

Posted by Sharon Gruber | March 30th, 2010

During the two years I have seen patients in Bread for the City’s medical clinic, I have heard innumerable patients tell me that they won’t drink the DC tap water. They say that they are scared that the tap water has lead and other contaminants, and they don’t trust that it is safe. After some bad publicity in recent years about traces of pharmaceuticals in the water, and a history of withholding information from the public regarding lead in the water, fears of unhealthy tap water are not without reason.

Some people say they are okay with drinking the water if it’s filtered with a Brita, PUR, or other relatively low-cost filtration system, but many claim that they only feel comfortable drinking bottled water.

Last week I spoke with a patient who doesn’t have kitchen access in his basement apartment. “I won’t drink tap water, so I buy some bottled water and have about two bottles of juice and two bottles of Arizona Iced Tea a day.” We did the math, and at about six dollars a day in drink expenses, that amounts to roughly $180 a month.

If he felt comfortable drinking the water from his sink, how much less money would he be spending on beverages? How much more money would he have for purchasing healthier food with less sodium? How much money could he save each day to put toward renting a place with kitchen access?

In the meantime, what can we do to combat the fear of water and the idea that it’s preferable to drink sugar-laden bottled iced tea than some of the clear stuff from the tap?

If the water is safe, as we are assured it is by DC government, the Washington Aquaduct, and the Washington Sewage and Water Authority, then I think they need to make a concerted effort to better explain the steps they have taken to ensure safety. Too many people are still afraid to drink it, and it is unacceptable that a significant part of the public, including those with a limited income, feel forced to spend their money on beverages, many of which end up being unhealthy. This issue will not correct itself.

For more information about water quality in the District, go here. For more information about the downside of bottled water, go
here.

Posted by Kaitlin Sheedy | March 28th, 2010

On Tuesday, March 23, 2010, President Obama signed the Affordable Health Care for America Act into law. Nestled in the hefty legislation is Section 2572, which mandates chain restaurants with 20 or more locations display calories on menus, menu boards, and drive-through displays, as well as on vending machines. Temporary specials appearing on the menu for less than 60 days, condiments and test market foods are exempt. The Food and Drug Administration will establish the specific regulations and determine exactly…

Posted by Ed Bruske | March 27th, 2010

By Ed Bruske
Contributing Editor

Improved nutrition, easier access to school food and incorporating local produce in school meals would cost the District an estimated $6.5 million annually under proposed “Healthy Schools” legislation, according to the D.C. government’s Chief Financial Officer, Natwar M. Gandi.

Gandi released written testimony yesterday indicating that most of that money would be spent on increasing the city’s contribution to school meals by 10 cents for breakfast and 10 cents for lunch, as well as a 5 cent bonus for meals that contain locally grown products, free breakfast for all students and covering the cost currently paid by students who qualify for reduced-price meals under the federally-subsidized meal program.

The cost of the legislation, which had previously been undetermined, brought out a parade of charter school officials complaining that they did not have the means to pay for it. They appeared at hearings before D.C. Councilmember Mary Cheh (D-Ward 3), author of the bill.

“This is much like ‘No Child Left Behind,’ full of unfunded mandates,” said Donald Hense, of Friendship Public Charter School. “The financial incentives are not enough for us to change our food service.”

Along with setting healthier food standards, the legislation also mandates increased physical activity for children. Charter school officials said in many cases their schools have neither the funds nor the facilities to comply with the proposed standards. “How can charter schools implement all this?” said Josphine Baker, executive director of the Public Charter School Board. “Ten cents for breakfast and lunch is just barely enough. It could be cost prohibitive for all schools to use local produce. It’s a challenge sometimes to provide both a rigorous education and healthy, nutritious meals.”

Gandi estimated the total cost of the legislation for the city’s charter schools at $1.6 million. Cheh vowed that she will find funding to cover all of the bills requirements. “We fully appreciate the costs,” she said. “I’m working assiduously on getting that money. And I’m pretty much sure that I will get that money.”

Cheh added that the legislation will save money in the long run in reduced health costs for city residents. “Even if it cost money and we didn’t save money, how much is it worth to have people lead healthy lives?” Cheh said. “We will save money and have better lives.

Ed Bruske writes The Slow Cook blog.

Posted by Bradley Kennedy | March 26th, 2010

There’s a new opportunity in DC for anyone who enjoys working outside, wants to learn more about farming, or just likes to hang out with other farmy types. Originally started by some farmers-at-heart in North Carolina, “crop mobs” have been sweeping the nation since The New York Times published an article about them - and there’s one starting up right here in DC.  Think “flash mob” rather than “angry mob”: crop mobs work by  descending en masse onto a local farm for a few hours, where they get a phenomenal amount of work done while having a ball.

Basically, a crop mob is just a group of people who enjoy getting together to do farm work, whether to get some exercise and fresh air, learn more about farming, contemplate an agricultural career, or get ideas for their garden. For farmers, it’s an opportunity to get those jobs done that you’re always putting off until next year, or haul in an unexpected bumper crop of beans. Farmers and crop mobbers collaborate to organize one farm visit per month. The farmer, in exchange for the help, generally provides a hearty lunch to the hardworking volunteers. Everyone returns home a little richer from the experience.