by Hannah Provost & Jessica Levy Many people and organizations in the Lehigh Valley are chipping away at the unsustainable industrialized food system that undermines our health, the climate, and a sustainable future. Their efforts are improving food education, expanding access, supporting local farmers, and more. Fresh, sustainably-grown local food means food … [Read more...] about Food for Thought
local food
Increasing Community Access to Fresh, Local Foods
Jessica Levy When I first moved to Bethlehem, I was disappointed at how far away my favorite restaurants were from where I was living. Coming from a town with more fast food chains than local restaurants, I was accustomed to picking up Chipotle on my way home from school or stopping at Panera before heading to a friend’s house. Living on Lehigh University’s campus as a first … [Read more...] about Increasing Community Access to Fresh, Local Foods
Support your local businesses during the coronavirus lockdown
With schools, colleges, libraries, and private workplaces shut down, many independent local businesses are facing a drastic drop in business.This includes cafés & restaurants, grocery stores, hardware stores, and more. It's up to us to support them as best we can. … [Read more...] about Support your local businesses during the coronavirus lockdown
Sustainability Practices for Cafés & Restaurants
→ Executive Summary Introduction We live in a world filled with concerns about climate change, food and health, pollution and degradation of the environment, and other aspects of sustainability. Unfortunately, the problems are growing at exponential rates. When we look at the causes, it becomes clear that many of our current practices cause or contribute to the problems. … [Read more...] about Sustainability Practices for Cafés & Restaurants
Sustainability Practices for Cafés and Restaurants
[See link at bottom to download the full report] Executive Summary We live in a world filled with concerns about climate change, food and health, and other factors critical for sustainability, and these problems are growing at exponential rates. We all need to take action to prevent these problems from spiraling out of control, including taking a close look at our … [Read more...] about Sustainability Practices for Cafés and Restaurants
Local Economic Systems
by Rich Fegley It is estimated that the average American meal travels about 1500 miles to get from farm to plate. If our food is grown that far from where we live, it is safe to assume that a fair percentage of the money that we spend to purchase food will go to the grower who is located 1500 miles away and to the food distributor, possibly located in Texas or Illinois. It … [Read more...] about Local Economic Systems
Sustainable Campus Dining Resources
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 food and health; a number of interns have completed projects on the sustainability and health impacts of food and campus dining services. If you want to see sustainable food on your campus, … [Read more...] about Sustainable Campus Dining Resources
Sustainable Living
by Julia Ward After attending a "Brown Bag" luncheon given by Professor Ben Cohen of the Engineering Studies Department, I learned about the numerous efforts to build a sustainable local food system. It is no surprise to me that there are many ways that someone can become apart of creating a sustainable food and agriculture system. When it all comes down to it, it depends on … [Read more...] about Sustainable Living
Sustainability in Food Businesses
There are many steps that can be taken to promote sustainability in food businesses. Today, there are numerous concerns that trouble businesses that are attempting to become more sustainable. This is because of the financial, environment, and psychological benefits that result from doing so. If a business is willing to make sustainability a priority, the tasks to complete this … [Read more...] about Sustainability in Food Businesses
Organic Is the Answer for Healthy Food, Healthy People, and a Healthy Planet
by Maya Rodale The idea that our health is connected to the food we eat isn’t really a shocking concept. It just makes sense: you are what you eat. What matters to our health just as much—if not more—is how our food is grown. When it comes to healthy food, healthy people, and a healthy planet, organic is the best and most sustainable way to go. The way we … [Read more...] about Organic Is the Answer for Healthy Food, Healthy People, and a Healthy Planet