Last week, the Swedish-American Chamber of Commerce in New York held its fifth annual Green Summit, an annual event aimed at addressing the world’s biggest sustainability challenges. The theme of the occasion was sustainable eating, specifically focusing on the issue of “How to Feed a City.” Presided over by Green Summit Patron H.M. King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden, the day’s sessions tackled the concept of “From Farm to Fork” from a multitude of angles, including panels on corporate supply chains and changing public opinions on food and eating. Read More

By: Justin Chan

Many people are accustomed to going to their local grocery store and picking up fruits and vegetables that have been processed through conventional methods. More often than not, these products have gone through a series of chemical spraying, which keeps parasitic pests from cluttering around the food consumers eat. Some critics have voiced health concerns over this procedure but concede that these products are affordable to those who cannot purchase healthier food. One organization, the Rodale Institute, is determined to change the perception that only the rich can afford organic food and that organic farming is not sustainable.

Headquartered in Kutztown, Pennsylvania, the Rodale Institute is a nonprofit organization that focuses on promoting organic agriculture and farming through research and outreach. Its Farming Systems Trial, for instance, compares conventional chemical agriculture with organic farming. The institute also offers workshops, tours and programs geared at raising awareness about the benefits of growing food organically.

We got an inside look at the workings of The Rodale Institute through an interview with the organization’s executive director, Coach Mark Smallwood. Check out what he had to say about their mission… Read More

Photo: Simon Leufstedt

By: Justin Chan

While there has been some debate over whether organic farming is sustainable, the issue did not stop the European Union and the United States from agreeing on a pact that will allow organic producers to sell their products in the two regions.

According to the Wall Street Journal, the two sides agreed to recognize each other’s certificates on organic products. The move will make it more convenient for the E.U. and the U.S. to engage in a market that is worth approximately $50 billion. “This partnership will open new markets for American farmers and ranchers, create more opportunities for small businesses, and result in good jobs for Americans who package, ship, and market organic products,” said Kathleen Merrigan, the U.S. Agriculture Deputy Secretary. Read More

Photo: scyrene

By: Michele Wolfson

At what cost do out of season organic tomatoes get delivered to your market thousands of miles away? While organic agriculture is all the rage, growing by leaps and bounds to meet increased consumer demand for healthier food, the products are increasingly removed from the traditional organic ideal: produce that is not only free of chemicals and pesticides but also grown locally on small farms in a way that protects the environment.

Community Supported Agricultures (CSA’s) have become increasingly popular in the past few years, but when it comes to purchasing items like tomatoes or blueberries in a state like New York during this time of year, consumers often have to rely on grocery store produce that are imported from south of the border. This time of year, the tomatoes, peppers and basil certified as organic by the Agriculture Department often hail from the Mexican desert, and are nurtured with intensive irrigation. Read More

Photo: burntfeather

By: Dylan Rodgers

Strawberries are the most provocative of the berries, not only because they flash their seeds at anyone who will look, but also because they’re often labeled ‘organic’ when they are nothing of the sort.

Some Californian organic strawberry farmers are up in arms about the US Department of Agriculture’s vague federal regulations as to what constitutes “organic growth”.  Read More

Photo: Mat McDermott

Get ready to see the coolest (and hottest) ice cream truck you have ever laid eyes on! Solar energy company, Sungevity, just launched the Sungevity Ice Pop Truck to carry across the country free popsicles and news about their Rooftop Revolution. The truck not only passes out free organic ice pops, created by GoodPop, but also information for customers on how easy and affordable it is to bring solar energy into their homes. Read More

Photo: Arielle Hartman

BY ARIELLE HARTMAN

After all the working, running, cooking, calling, texting, emailing, and trying to stay on top of current events we all do in our everyday lives, that much anticipated summer vacation seems like a beacon of hope and relaxation, pushing us forward through our hectic weeks.  My ideal vacations included gently worn, beachside cottages, epic road trips with friends, Read More

Photo: James McNamara

BY LEAH RILEY

Antibiotics are microorganisms used to kill or slow down the growth of bacteria and to help your body recuperate from illness. They are also sometimes used in animal feed to fatten pigs or speed up the growth of chickens. However, overuse of antibiotics can lower their effectiveness. Read More

photo: Ken Banks

When you order steak at a restaurant, it’s hard to tell just by sight where the cow was raised or how the cow was fed. More and more restaurants are Read More

Walking along the pavement in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, you may not know it, but there is a farm lurking nearby. Passing the seemingly innocuous warehouse that stands under the farm may be part of your daily routine, but just a few floors off the ground is a totally different world. And that world is green.  Read More