Sustainable Growing
To be sustainable, agriculture needs to take a holistic, ecological approach that builds healthy soil, eliminates the use of artificial fertilizers, pesticides, growth hormones, and antibiotics. Not only do organic farming practices reduce pollution, the resulting food supports the health of those who eat it. Industrial farming practices, on the other hand, create a variety of environmental health problems in and near the communities where it is grown.
Food Matters!
“Food matters” is probably the understatement of the year. Some of us are vegan, and some are carnivorous; some strive for a traditional, nutrient dense diet, and others follow a macrobiotic regime. But I think we all want food that … more
Principles of Ecology
The principles of ecology were derived from years of observation about how things work in natural systems, including Aldo Leopold’s observations and insights (many of them chronicled in his now-famous Sand County Almanac…). Leopold broadened ecological thinking from a biology-centered … more
Farmworker Health & Safety
By Sapna E. Thottathil* [This article was originally published in Greenhealth Magazine.] As the health care sector steps forward in support of healthy and sustainable food systems, two critical considerations are the health and safety of the workers producing our foods. … more
Sustainable Campus Dining Resources
Sept 6 2012 – Added AASHE Resources section The Alliance has had a strong interest in food issues since its formation in 2004, and food is a major concern in our initiatives on campus sustainability and the strong connections of … more
A Growing Community
The Lafayette College Community Garden is my favorite place to be. But what makes it so special? The essence of community: I’m not just growing food for myself, but we’re all growing food for ourselves and our loved ones, together. … more
A Local Food Economy
Obtaining more of our food from local sources is a great way to strengthen the local economy and obtain fresh, healthful food at the same time. If we’re going to increase local food production, of course, it’s essential to make … more
Social Research | Social Justice 2012 – Student Presentations
April 13, 2012, Moyer Hall (Muhlenberg College) More information 9:00 – 9:30 a.m. Continental Breakfast Mendham Gallery 9:30 – 10:40 a.m. RESEARCH SESSION I PANEL ONE: Framing Discourses of Popular Media: Gender and Sexuality [Moderator: Kate Richmond, Muhlenberg College] Melissa Pieller, … more
Big Changes in Fair Trade! [UPDATED]
As of December 31, 2011, Fair Trade USA (formerly TransfairUSA) has dropped out of the World FairTrade Organization and lowered their standards to the point where it will hurt small growers—as well as many small, independent shops here in the … more
Fair Trade links & resources
Reliable sources for information on authentic Fair Trade Reports & News Stories: Why Your Morning Coffee Could Be the Product of Child Labor (Faster Times, November 2011) Combating Slavery in Coffee and Chocolate Production, by Jeff Nall (Toward Freedom, January … more
Chocolate: The Bitter Truth
Fair Trade isn’t just about coffee. Many commodities are subject to abuse by large trading corporations and large growers. Coffee is perhaps the largest volume, but tea, chocolate, sugar, bananas, and many others are also important. Chocolate is subject not … more