4/09/2010

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Apple: Making a Difference
This Apple commercial pays tribute to people who make a difference.

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4/08/2010

PESTICIDES AND THE FOOD CHAIN. The dirty dozen.



http://www.ewg.org/

Pesticide Health Effects: The Latest Science
Every year, new research is published demonstrating the toxicity of pesticides to human health and the environment, often at doses previously declared "safe" by the pesticide industry and the government.
As acknowledged by the U.S. and international government agencies, different pesticides have been linked with a variety of toxic effects, including:
Nervous system effects
Carcinogenic effects
Hormone system effects
Skin, eye and lung irritation
Pesticides are unique among the chemicals we release into the environment; they have inherent toxicity because they are designed to kill living organisms – insects, plants, and fungi that are considered "pests." Because they are toxic by design, many pesticides pose health risks to people, risks that have been acknowledged by independent research scientists and physicians across the world.
Children Are Especially at Risk. More: http://www.foodnews.org/reduce.php

About the Environmental Working Group
The Basics:The mission of the Environmental Working Group (EWG) is to use the power of public information to protect public health and the environment. EWG is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, founded in 1993 by Ken Cook and Richard Wiles.
In 2002, we founded the EWG Action Fund, a 501(c)(4) organization that advocates on Capitol Hill for health-protective and subsidy-shifting policies.
EWG specializes in providing useful resources (like
Skin Deep and the Shoppers' Guide to Pesticides in Produce) to consumers while simultaneously pushing for national policy change.

Organizational Goals
1. To protect the most vulnerable segments of the human population—children, babies, and infants in the womb—from health problems attributed to a wide array of toxic contaminants.
2. To replace federal policies, including government subsidies that damage the environment and natural resources, with policies that invest in conservation and sustainable development.



How EWG Does It
Our research brings to light unsettling facts that you have a right to know. It shames and shakes up polluters and their lobbyists. It rattles politicians and shapes policy. It persuades bureaucracies to rethink science and strengthen regulation. It provides practical information you can use to protect your family and community.
And because our investigations and interactive websites tend to make news, you've probably heard about them. Even if you've never heard of us. Which is fine. We'd rather you remember our work than our name.


4/06/2010

PESTICIDES AND THE FOOD CHAIN. Food Markets.




WHAT ARE FARMERS MARKETS? http://www.lfm.org.uk/
Our farmers’ markets offer the freshest local food to Londoners every week. Meet the farmers, fishermen, growers and bakers who all share a passion for home grown products.
Easter Opening
Don’t miss the markets over the Easter weekend all markets will be open on Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th April. Pick up something for your Easter lunch. Expect fewer stalls on Sunday markets as some producers take a well earned rest.
Look out for new season lamb, rhubarb, spring flowering bulbs and crisp purple sprouting that will all liven up your Easter dinner table, enjoy the break and Happy Easter from all at LFM.
What can I buy?
The following foods and products are available at London Farmer's Markets. All are grown and produced within 100 miles of London. Some produce is organic. Click on a category below for a list of all businesses selling these procducts. To see what's available near you, find your local market.
Beef / Lamb / Pork
All our beef, lamb and pork come from high welfare farms. Look out for rare breeds and a huge selection of sausages. All farmers hang their beef for improved flavour and texture. Some cut on site. Order those more unusual cuts direct from the farm
Vegetables and Salads
Cut or picked within hours of a market ensures great tasting vegetables and salads. Because they're so fresh salads keep well in the fridge
Fruit
Rhubarb in the Spring, strawberries from May, rasperries, blueberries, currants, following on, cherries in July and fresh apples from August, blackberries, pears and plums in September. A huge range of fruit with varieties you'll never find in a supermarket
Cooked Local Foods
Everything from pies and soups to hand made pasta, all made using local ingredients
Eggs
All the eggs at our farmers' markets are free range or organic. You won't find fresher unless you keep your own hens!
Breads and Cakes
Local artisan bakers with a huge range of breads from tradtional bloomers to gluten free. Home baked cakes using free range or organic eggs and local ingredients where possible. Look out for seasonal specials.
Honey / Preserves
Local beekeepers selling London and regional honey. Preserves made using locally grown fruit and vegetableS
Fish
Shellfish and wet fish sold fresh from their day boats, caught from the south and east coast. To sell at our markets fishermen must have a licensed fishing vessel. Storms and strong winds sometimes stops fish getting to market but you'll usually find a good seasonal range.
Drinks
Juice, cider and wine, all made by the farmer and grower using their own fruit.
Garden Plants and Cut Flowers
Get expert advice from the growers and enjoy cut flowers that last for ages. You'll find specialist nurseries at our markets with fantastic ranges. Don't miss our annual garden plant fairs in the Spring.

Cheese and Dairy
All sold by the farmers using milk from their own herds. You'll find a huge range of award winning cheddars, unpasteurised milk and cream, buffalo, cow and goats cheese and yogurt.
Poultry / Game
All poultry is free range or organic. Game is wild and seasonal.
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Marylebone Farmers’ Market
Marylebone Farmers' Market put the 'Marylebone Village' on the map as a destination for great food. On Sundays, the market site usually has between 30 and 40 stalls and is heaving with locals doing their weekly shopping, as well as food enthusiasts from all over the capital.
There is a good reason why the market attracts so many people from far and wide. There is something for everyone, whether it be Adrian Izzard's unusual salad leaves, James Coe's outstanding beef and lamb, a mushroom sandwich from The Mushroom Table, or freshly shucked oysters from the Maldon Seafood Company. Sunnyfields Farm's mountains of veg are always a crowd pleaser.

Exmouth MarketClerkenwell, LondonEC1R 4QA
A food market bustling with an eclectic mix of producers, farmers and local artisans returns to Exmouth Market every Friday and Saturday. Stallholders include Neal's Yard Cheeses, De Gustibus and the Monmouth Coffee Company. Together with specialist producers such as Isle of Wight Tomatoes and Born and Bread, stalls display mouthwatering delicacies. Clerkenwell's talented designers and artists also have the chance to show off their creations.
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Which are you choices, your options?
Do you buy in food markets?
Do you think they sell healthier food?
Why, why not?
Have a look at the farmer's blog: http://www.lfm.org.uk/farmers-blog/