Agriculture

Despite the dangers many pesticides pose, the US is still using pesticides that other countries have banned, sometimes for over a decade. See data from the Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting on which banned pesticides the US continues to use, as well as how much of each, separated by hazard level.

At one time, small family farms provided most of the food eaten in the United States — and many of the livelihoods in communities across the nation. People knew where their food came from and how it was produced, and the profits mostly remained and circulated locally. These days, small family farms are in trouble. In this first article on family farms, we’ll take a look at the forces that threaten their existence and why their increasing loss is such a calamity for the food system.

Coffee is one of the most popular beverages worldwide, but whether or not it’s a healthy choice has often been the subject of debate for a very long time. In this article, we’ll look at some surprising coffee health benefits, potential downsides, and how to enjoy coffee in ways that are healthy, ethical, and sustainable.

Olive oil gets a lot of great press as a health food. And olives are popular staples of Mediterranean cuisine, which is considered by many to be the world’s healthiest way of eating. But olives are very salty, and olive oil is basically 100% fat. So what’s the truth about this savory fruit? How can we separate fact from myth?

More people than ever before are interested in optimizing their health and eating in a way that can help to heal the planet. Riding and building this wave of commitment and goodwill, Food Revolution Network expanded our reach significantly. Here are some of our top accomplishments from 2022.

Hazelnuts are a delicious food with a lot of health benefits. Unfortunately, the vast majority of the world’s hazelnuts are grown in ways that degrade the environment, harm farm workers, and end up in unhealthy processed foods. Is there a way to enjoy these fabulous nuts without contributing to harm to ourselves or others?

There’s a food shortage going on that’s unlike anything we’ve seen in the last 40 years. Billions of people around the world are now chronically hungry, and tens of millions may face imminent famine and starvation. So what’s going on that’s different from years past? And what, if anything, can we do as individuals to begin to make a difference?

Explore three of the most common food intolerances to understand what a food intolerance is, how it’s different from a food allergy, and how you can identify and adapt your lifestyle in order to manage or even heal food intolerances.

Lentils are unassuming culinary heroes, featured in dishes from a wide variety of culinary traditions. Not only are they delicious, versatile, easy to cook, and nutrient-rich powerhouses, lentils also feature prominently in efforts to mitigate climate change and engage in sustainable food production. So what can lentils do for you and how can you get more of them into your life?

Between 1910 and 1997, America’s Black farmers lost about 90% of the land they owned. The USDA was later found liable for a pattern of extensive discrimination, and in 2010, agreed to pay out more than $1.25 billion to Black farmers. Still today, Black farmers face unique stressors and challenges. Understanding these challenges is critical to building a safe and healthy food system for all.

GMOs — or genetically modified organisms — are a lightning-rod issue. For some, GMO crops represent the height of human ingenuity, and anyone who says otherwise is a science denier. For others, GMOs represent an unprecedented and irreversible experiment on the entirety of life on earth, as we place the power to create life into the hands of transnational corporations whose agenda is monopolistic control of the global food supply. But what is a GMO, where are they found, and how concerned should you be?

Water is an essential part of every form of life on Earth. But by 2025, two-thirds of the world's population may be facing freshwater shortages, and ecosystems around the world may suffer even more. So what can we do to save water so future generations can drink and grow food? A lot! And it can all start with the food on our plates.