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Foodborne illnesses cost billions

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Americans spend $152 billion for medical and pain and suffering costs related to foodborne illnesses.

Pennsylvania, Illinois, Ohio and Michigan rank in the top 10 states for the number of cases and money spent on them.

Nationwide there are 76 million cases a year resulting in 300,000 hospitalizations and 5,000 deaths.

Echo

Sampling menus: School lunches and dumpster dives

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Last February, I began a story that would end up being one of the greatest challenges and investigations of my journalism career thus far. I decided to investigate food waste by diving into dumpsters behind grocery stores and bakeries in my then town of residence, St. Augustine, Florida. I committed myself to eating only what I found in the dumpster, I suppose to prove how much food was going to waste. I documented what I ate everyday and my experiences while digging through the garbage.

Echo

The Great Lakes underground milk market

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Way to go Whole Foods, you’ve pissed off the foodies. There is currently a swirl of controversy on discussion groups, listservs and news articles, and probably grocery store aisles surrounding Whole Foods’ recent decision to discontinue offering raw milk in four states. Raw milk is milk that has not been pasteurized or homogenized, and to many, it is considered a much healthier alternative to processed dairy. The natural and organic grocery store that was once a haven or heaven for the regular purchasers of wheat germ, kale, and organic dog food, has stopped selling the product in California, Florida, Washington, Pennsylvania and Connecticut. The Miami New Times Food Blog cites an interview with Whole Foods, who responded that the decision was simply a regional, business decision, and could not get into the details.

Echo

Making the transition from mystery meat to gardens: a safety issue?

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For almost a month now, I have been watching an interesting discussion unfold about school food safety occur on the ComFood Listserv, a discussion place for people interested in issues dealing with community, food and agriculture. And today, I feel I have to finally weigh into the conversation. The public procurement of local food has recently made its way through a variety of unique institutions. Hospitals, prisons, schools, and universities are now purchasing and using the food. They are supporting local farmers, reducing their food miles, and providing themselves with one more environmentally friendly marketing initiative.

Echo

Feeling okay about being an “Organic Foodie Guru”

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I have been groomed to be an “organic food snob.”

I munched on whole grain bread with organic peanut butter and jelly, organic apples and grapes as a 5-year old in the cafeteria. I had organic carrot cake for every birthday until I was 16 and trips to the local farmers market in my family were made more frequently than trips to any major supermarket. So, today I guess that it is understandable that I feel very comfortable spending a significant part of my income buying groceries with the organic label on it. I am not ashamed to admit that I have driven across Lansing, Mich. for an hour looking for organic bananas and raspberries, which are not always available at the conventional grocery store here.