Food: Eating Local, Global Food Crisis, and Food Irradiation - Research Paper Example

? Food al Affiliation Food Eating Local How could you implement a local diet into your lifestyle? One could implement a local diet into one’s lifestyle by acknowledging first, that there are major benefits from consuming a local diet. The advantages of implementing a local diet could actually be categorized according to the gain that would be generated for one personally; to the community; and to the environment (Shea, 2008). Therefore, to implement a local diet, one needs to follow the guidelines proposed by Priebe (2011) in the article entitled “An Overview of the 100-Mile Diet” published online in ecolife. As noted, a local diet could be implemented through observing the following steps: (1) starting simple; (2) try to connect with local farmers; (3) endeavor to grow vegetables in one’s own garden; (4) when shopping locally, purchase in bulk and learn how to preserve; and (5) just take things in stride and relax (Priebe, 2011). Starting simple could mean inviting neighbors and friends to a simple dinner or meal using local products; or it could also mean assigning days within a week to focus on consuming local produce. Trying to connect with local farmers would necessitate going around the locality and finding out what products are being sourced from farms and which could be availed easily. Likewise, one could even try to grow simple vegetables in one’s backyard; which was also noted to be, not only healthy; but also therapeutic. And finally, the effort of implementing a local diet in one’s lifestyle should not be made in stressful environment. One must simply enjoy discovering local farms and products and be able to savor the local produce which could be incorporated in one’s daily meal. Are there farmers' markets in your area? There is actually a Farmers Market in one’s area in New Jersey; which is specifically located in South Jersey, just 20 minutes away from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. All vegetables are therefore bought from the Farmers Market. Where is the nearest community supported agriculture farm (CSA)? The state of New Jersey has a lot of community supported agriculture (CSA) farm located in the following counties: Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, Salem, Sussex, and Warren (State of New Jersey: Department of Agriculture, 2013). The names, contact information, and addresses are found in the State of New Jersey’s Department of Agriculture official website. How could you encourage others to eat local? Other people could be encouraged to eat local by promoting the various benefits that could be gained from this move. From among the noted benefits, the following are noteworthy: (1) greater opportunities to lose weight; (2) savoring new flavor sensations; (3) being able to heighten awareness through learning more about local products (Priebe, 2011); (4) fresher and healthier foods; (5) learn more about food from the people who grew them; (6) contributes to lesser environmental impact through lessening of carbon footprint through travelling less, consumer lesser gas, lesser wear and tear of roads; and (7) supports the community through the revenues generated from local purchases (Shea, 2008). Global Food Crisis After reading the article, "Global Food Crisis" from this unit's studies, do you feel the U.S. ethanol fuel program is adding to the world food crisis? One is convinced that the arguments exposed by Gawain Kripke, the Senior Policy Adviser for Oxfam America is more convincing regarding the effect of the ethanol fuel program on the global food crisis. Kripke’s detailed explanation that production of ethanol is apparently significantly contributory to driving food prices up due to the increased use of corn for the production of ethanol is more viable and believable (Kripke, 2008). As compared to the arguments presented by Rick Tolman, the CEO of the National Association of Corn Growers, Kripke assumed a more unbiased stance at looking at the issue. Tolman could have protected the interests of corn growers, of which, he governs and administers. The arguments of Kripke clearly illustrated how increased use of bushels of corn for ethanol production could evidently mean lesser supply of corn in the world market for food consumption. Naturally, lesser supply would drive the prices of corn, especially when demand is still the same or is even increasing (given population increase and the number of people who categorize corn as their staple food). His arguments were even corroborated by the International Monetary Fund’s World Economic Outlook, which affirmed that “biofuel demand has propelled the prices not only for corn but also for other grains, meat, poultry and dairy through cost push and crop and demand substitution effects” (Kripke, 2008, p. 569). Thus, one strongly believes that the U.S. ethanol fuel program is in fact contributory to the driving prices of food upwards on a more global sphere. Food Irradiation Irradiation can be used to increase the life of food stuffs, allowing for foods to be shipped long distances and stored on the shelves without spoiling or creating health concerns. Although irradiation is a dependable way to rid food of bacteria, some are concerned about what effects the irradiation could have on the food and subsequently on human health. Do you think irradiation is a safe technology? Do you think labeling should be required on irradiated food? Food irradiation was described in the article published by the Iowa State University as “the radiation of interest in food preservation is ionizing radiation… These shorter wavelengths are capable of damaging microorganisms such as those that contaminate food or cause food spoilage and deterioration” (Iowa State University, 2013, p. 1). From the overview that was presented, one is led to believe that irradiation is a safe technology by asserting that it is a process which aims to fulfill four important aspects in food handling: preservation, sterilization, controlling sprouting, ripening, and insect damage; as well as controlling the potential onset of foodborne illnesses (Iowa State University, 2013). In addition, it was also stressed that the process has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and that “during irradiation, the energy waves affect unwanted organisms but are not retained in the food” (Iowa State University, 2013, p. 1). Finally, as in any relevant process that has been applied to food, labelling is deemed to be crucial and important. One also believes that labelling should be required on irradiated food. Apparently, it was disclosed that: “Since 1986, all irradiated products must carry the international symbol called a radura, which resembles a stylized flower. Treated with irradiation or Treated by irradiation FDA requires that both the logo and statement appear on packaged foods, bulk containers of unpackaged foods, on placards at the point of purchase (for fresh produce), and on invoices for irradiated ingredients and products sold to food processors” (Iowa State University, 2013, p. 1). References Iowa State University. (2013). Food Irradiation - What is it? Retrieved from extension.iastate.edu: http://www.extension.iastate.edu/foodsafety/irradiation/ Kripke, G. (2008). Is the U.S. ethanol fuel program worsening the world food crisis? CQ Researcher, 569. Priebe, M. (2011). An Overview of the 100-Mile Diet. Retrieved from ecolife: http://www.ecolife.com/health-food/eating-local/100-mile-diet.html Shea, S. (2008, June). Explore with a Localvore. New York State Conservationist, 2-6. Retrieved from New York State Conservationist. State of New Jersey: Department of Agriculture. (2013). Community Supported Agriculture. Retrieved from nj.gov: http://www.nj.gov/agriculture/jerseyfresh/find/communitysupportedag.html Read More