Food First's blog

The Biofuels Bailout: (M)ethadone for our Fuel Addiction?

admin — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 12:03:25 -0500

By Eric Holt-Gimenez
Originally published on the Huffington Post

The recent announcement by the Obama Administration of renewed support to the bloated biofuels industry has the Brazilians jumping for joy.

The Brazilians? Wait a minute... Yep, here are the latest headlines from UNICA, the Brazilian Sugarcane Industry Association:

Brazilian Sugarcane Industry Welcomes U.S. EPA's Renewable Fuels Rules

“EcoFarm is Thirty…and Still Dirty” - Unofficial theme of the 30th annual EcoFarm Conference, Jan 20-24, 2010

Zoe Brent — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 18:58:28 -0500

By Zoe Brent

With the sky falling and the ocean rising along central California's
beautifully rugged coastline, the Asilomar Conference Grounds hosted
farmers, retailers, processors, consumers, advocates and sustainable
agriculture enthusiasts this past weekend. The event was sold out and
despite flooded roads and fallen trees, more than 1600 attendees
flocked to the Ecological Farming Association's annual conference in
Pacific Grove, Ca.

Haiti: Roots of Liberty, Roots of Disaster

admin — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 19:45:03 -0500

By Eric Holt-Gimenez
First published on the Huffington Post

In overthrowing me, you have cut down in Saint-Domingue only the tree of liberty. It will spring up again by the roots for they are numerous and deep.
-Toussaint L'Ouverture

The Science Simplified: How genetic material from GMO corn finds its way to our gut

admin — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 16:04:42 -0500

By Krista Beckley

There have been several reports recently about genetic material from GMO corn making its way into soil, animals and insects. (The study these reports refer to appeared in the Journal of Chemical Ecology in July - Hart et. al 2009) The concept of how these genes enter into other organisms and food systems is often convoluted, and worth laying out again for readers who may have questions.

Should patenting of barnyard pigs be legal? What were they thinking?

admin — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 21:25:53 -0500

View this video clip to learn more about Monsanto's patenting of life.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-ouf_gmA5o&feature=related

Help for Haiti: Supporting grassroots organizations after a disaster is crucial

admin — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 20:38:41 -0500

As we learned in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, not all aid is equal. Haiti’s January 12th earthquake has left thousands dead. Many more need urgent medical attention.

Breaking Through the Asphalt: Food Policy Councils

admin — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 19:52:05 -0500

By Eric Holt-Gimenez
Originally published on the Huffington Post

Listen to Voices from Africa on Climate Justice

admin — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 20:42:37 -0500

Pambazuka News just released a great audio piece with interviews from some of the most inspiring African climate justice advocates present in Copenhagen.

Hunger, Jobs and Water Wars

admin — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 14:09:42 -0500

By Eric Holt-Gimenez and Zoe Brent
Originally published on the Huffington Post

FRESNO, CALIFORNIA: Food aid is rolling in to the breadbasket of California. In Fresno County, the state’s most productive agricultural area, a hunger crisis has been unfolding for the better part of a year. Some 90,000 people a week lined up at local food banks this holiday season, many of them farm workers. Owing to what he declared a “drought disaster” California Governor Schwarzenegger delivered $4 million in food aid to Fresno last June. This winter he pledged to extend the aid indefinitely.

A Strong Climate Justice Movement Emerges from the Wreckage of Copenhagen

admin — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 17:13:16 -0500

Climate Justice Now, a coalition of social movements and civil society groups from around the world recently released this statement on the global movement emerging from the official disaster in Copenhagen:

Call for “system change not climate change” unites global movement

Corrupt Copenhagen ‘accord’ exposes gulf between peoples demands and elite interests

Update from Copenhagen: The "Great Betrayal" Has Begun - Newest targets weak; ag offsets back on the table

admin — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 11:38:02 -0500

In Copenhagen tonight, a leaked UN document on a new proposal from developed countries points to what civil society is calling "The Great Betrayal."

Back Door Deal Between Ethiopia and France Decried by African Oragnizations as "Death to Millions of Africans"

admin — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 09:49:56 -0500

A back door deal to get African nations to accept a weaker overall emissions target and less mitigation financing was struck today between France and the Prime Minister of Ethiopia. The deal would endanger the food systems of millions. The release from Pan-African Climate Justice Alliance follow below.

"Africa Will Not Be Sold!"

Is Democracy Failing in Copenhagen? Protesters Demand Climate Justice, Are Met with Violence; NGOs Selectively Barred from Climate Negotiations

admin — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 09:31:30 -0500

Dramatic Protests for Climate Justice Are Met with Violence
NGOs Selectively Barred from Climate Negotiations

Dramatic protests erupted inside and outside the climate summit in Copenhagen today. Non-profit organizations are being severely restricted from the talks, and several groups that have been most critical of the negotiating process were selectively denied access en masse.

Monsanto Wins Award for Worst Corporate Lobbyist in Copenhagen

admin — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 15:27:30 -0500

The Angry Mermaid has been swimming around the streets of Copenhagen asking activists and civil society to vote on the ultimate object of her wrath. The winner: Monsanto.

The biotech giant won the award for its efforts to promote monocultures of Round-Up Ready GM crops as a solution to climate change. Shell oil came in second place, followed by the American Petroleum Institute.

Read more at http://www.angrymermaid.org/

As Climate Talks Come Down to the Wire, Social Movements Call for Direct Action

admin — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 15:12:32 -0500

Social Movements Call for Direct Action, Call the COP Process a “Failure”

Today social movement organizations held a press conference calling for non-violent direct action to protest the climate negotiations. Representatives of social movements on every continent spoke, demanding that people’s voices and local knowledge be respected in the negotiation process.