Seeds of Freedom

Seeds of Freedom seeks to challenge the mantra that large-scale, industrial agriculture is the only means by which we can feed the world, promoted by the pro-GM lobby. In tracking the story of seed it becomes clear how corporate agenda has driven the take over of seed in order to make vast profit and control of the food global system.

Through interviews with leading international experts such as Dr Vandana Shiva and  Henk Hobbelink, and through the voices of a number of African farmers, the film highlights how the loss of indigenous seed goes hand in hand with loss of biodiversity and related knowledge; the loss of cultural traditions and practices; the loss of livelihoods; and the loss of food sovereignty.  The pressure is growing to replace the diverse, nutritional, locally adapted and resilient seed crops which have been bred by small-scale farmers for millenia, by monocultures of GM seed.

The story of seed has become one of loss, control, dependence and debt. It’s been written by those who want to make vast profit from our food system, no matter what the true cost.  It’s time to change the story.  http://seedsoffreedom.info/

“If we don’t radically transform the direction of the global food system we will never feed the billion who are hungry, nor will we be able to feed ourselves in the future.”

http://stephenleahy.net/2012/10/11/double-food-production-in-10-years-and-reduce-global-warming/

White Bean and Kale Soup with Spanish Chorizo

Cannellini beans simmered in homemade chicken stock with olive oil, cooking chorizo,  garlic, onions, red peppers, smoked paprika, saffron, kale and fresh rosemary..

Food Done Right

PARTICIPANT MEDIA’S TAKEPART.COM LAUNCHES ‘TASTEMAKERS’ CAMPAIGN SPOTLIGHTING TOP 100 U.S. BUSINESSES COMMITTED TO PROVIDING ‘FOOD DONE RIGHT’ JUST IN TIME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

 The Company That Brought You Food, Inc. Publishes The Ultimate Guide To Local, Organic, Sustainable and Delicious Shops In Ten of America’s Most ‘Foodie’ Cities.

“I originally partnered with Participant Media on Food, Inc. because of their belief in creating change around the food issues we face in the U.S. as well as globally,” said Robert Kenner, Director of Food, Inc. “It’s been three and a half years since the film released and I’m thrilled to see they are still committed to its core values, telling the story, educating consumers and inspiring action.”

LOS ANGELES – Nov. 1, 2012 –TakePart.com, the digital publishing division of Participant Media (Food, Inc.), today announced its TakePart Tastemakers series devoted to spotlighting leading local businesses that are committed to bringing their communities “Food Done Right.” Selected in partnership with the nation’s leading food journalists, these local shops were chosen based on themes underscored in the hit 2008 documentary Food, Inc. – humane, homemade, organic, do-it-yourself, artisanal, locally sourced and sustainable.

As part of this campaign, TakePart is also launching key social initiatives designed to help people make better food choices and improve America’s food system as a whole.  As an example, TakePart has joined forces with the Center for Foodborne Illness Research & Prevention, co-founded by Food, Inc.’s Barbara Kowalcyk, to host a petition urging the U.S. Department of Agriculture to withdraw their proposal to speed up poultry processing lines. This proposal gives each inspector only one-third of a second to inspect each bird – raising both food safety and worker safety issues.

“As the digital publishing division of Participant Media, TakePart is committed to continually highlighting the issues raised in our films and providing consumers with the most relevant and qualified actions they can take to make a difference,” said Karina Kogan, General Manager of TakePart.  “TakePart Tastemakers is a great example of our ongoing effort to engage and educate the public about our food system in a way that is both entertaining and actionable.”

Shops featured in the inaugural TakePart Tastemakers list were chosen based on proven leadership in providing thoughtful and healthier options to their community and were selected by prominent food writers such as James-Beard award-winning journalist Dara Grumdahl and Seattle Times restaurant critic Providence Cicero.

Each of the 100 businesses spanning across the 10 markets of Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Portland, Seattle, San Francisco, and the Twin Cities also represent an alternative to big supermarket chains. Austin standouts include:

Antonelli’s Cheese Shop
Sweetish Hill Bakery
Foreign & Domestic Bake Sale
in.gredients
Houndstooth Coffee
Lick Honest Ice Creams
Noble Pig Sandwiches
Pasta & Co.
Quality Seafood Market
Zhi Tea

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The full list of TakePart.com’s Tastemakers can be found starting November 1 at  www.takepart.com/Tastemakers. The Web series will premiere on November 13. For more information on the Social Action campaign, please visit www.takepart.com/Tastemakers/action.

MEDIA CONTACTS
Shannon Swallow:
[email protected]
310-246-7753

Shannon Leigh Turbeville:
[email protected]
615-254-9389

Four Questions Voters Should Ask About Prop 37

We have a fundamental right to know what’s in the food we eat and feed our families. Tomorrow’s the day to vote it into law!

Clear facts about proposition 37

No Cost to Consumers

Companies change their labeling all the time, and independent research shows Prop 37 will not affect food prices. Read more »

Nurses Support Prop 37

Genetically Modified Organisms are linked to allergies, organ toxicity, and other health problems. The Food and Drug Administration has said “providing more information to consumers about bioengineered foods would be useful.” Read more »

No New Bureaucracy

Prop 37 is self-enforced and requires no new bureaucracy. The state official analyst has said any costs for enforcement would range from 1 to 3 cents per year for each Californian. Read more »

No Loopholes

Prop 37 requires labeling for genetically engineered foods for the groceries you buy. The initiative contains exemptions from labeling requirements for practical purposes, such as food served in restaurants. Read more »

Backed by Consumers

Prop 37 is supported by consumers, farmers, nurses and many more. It is opposed by Monsanto, Dow, and foreign chemical companies spending millions to confuse us. Read more »