Food Industry

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?

When millions of people suffer from malnutrition, either due to insufficient calories or a lack of access to affordable, wholesome food, their health, wealth, resilience, and even their mental clarity are impacted. If we want to create a just and sustainable world, we must tackle the twin issues of food inequality and food insecurity.

Food additives run rampant in the modern food system, even in foods labeled natural or organic. So what purpose do food additives serve; which ones are allowed in organic foods, and which ones are the safest to consume?

Sales of organically grown food are booming. But in the US, organic agriculture still lags far behind where it could be. Many farmers are struggling to make the transition to organic as they face a challenging certification process and short-term financial hardship. Fortunately, there are solutions that could make a huge difference.

Internal company records show both Monsanto and BASF knew crop damage from their weed killer would be extensive. They sold it anyway. Read on to find out about their alarming campaign of denial and greed, all at the expense of farmers, food, animals, the environment, and consumers like you.

Worldwide, figures for obesity continue to rise to mind-blowing levels, including obesity in children. A fundamental shift in awareness and nutritional education is necessary in order to address this issue head-on. Jyl Steinback, of the nonprofit Shape Up Us, discusses the issues influencing our children’s eating habits — and the ways in which teachers, parents, and the children themselves can improve nutritional knowledge and experience for kids.

Grass-fed beef is often marketed as a healthier, more eco-friendly, and more ethical option for red meat-eaters. But how true are these claims? Is grass-fed really better than conventionally-raised beef? And can it be good for your health or the planet?

Beef burgers, veggie burgers, and now… lab-grown meat? You may have heard rumblings that cultured meat — made from animal stem cells — may become a mainstream consumer option soon. Is it true? And if so, is it a good thing? What is lab-grown food? And should we be preparing for it to change the food system as we know it?

In this video interview, New Jersey Senator, Cory Booker, sits down with John Robbins for a look at the powerful impact our food choices and food policies have on our health and world. Senator Booker gives his candid take on how our food system got so broken and what we can do as individuals, and as a society, to work toward an end to factory farms, food deserts, climate change, hunger, and extreme poverty. Despite the enormity of the problems we’re all faced with today, this interview will fill you with hope and empower you to take action for a healthier, more equitable, and more compassionate world.

BigAg’s influence on seeds isn’t limited to the United States; their hybrid seeds have also pushed out traditional seed varieties across Africa. But many Africans are fighting back by forming seed collectives and practicing seed saving of indigenous seeds, recognizing that the continuation of these seeds is integral to their own stories of survival.

Olive and avocado oils are widely used, popular ingredients around the world. They are often touted for their health benefits and flavor. But they are also controversial, and may not be of the quality that you would like to think. Even the Mafia is in on it. Find out what you need to know about olive and avocado oil.

Modern grains produced by the industrialized food system are highly processed, tainted with pesticides and GMOs, and often relatively devoid of nutrition. But farmers and everyday people are beginning to diversify their grain sources, rejecting modern variations in favor of local, heritage, or ancient grains. As a result, communities are reclaiming their heritage — and their health.