Imagine Magazine - Johns Hopkins - January/February 2009 - (Page 20)

the rest. The artificially low prices have driven extensive innovation in incorporating corn and soy into food products. High-fructose corn syrup and soybean oil have become ubiquitous in processed foods, now far cheaper per calorie than many fresh and whole foods, and accordingly consumed disproportionately by low-income people. These consumers also suffer disproportionately from obesity and related health problems, such as diabetes. The burgers and snacks in the store are cheap only if you stop counting at the checkout line. But in terms of effects on the environment and public health, they’re wildly expensive, both in dollars and in human impact. Toward a Healthier, More Sustainable Food System The good news is that there is growing recognition among scientists and the public that our current food system damages the environment and public health, and there is increasing interest in creating a better food system. The number of farmers’ markets is growing, and sales Photo courtesy of Sustainable Table. Take Action So what can you do to support sustainable agriculture? Here are some simple steps you can take to improve the quality of the food you eat and make changes in the food system. Be conscious of what you eat. Before you snack on that granola bar or that bag of chips, read the ingredients and understand what you’re eating. Pay attention to where your fruits, vegetables, and meats come from. If you live in a rural area, don’t assume that the meat and produce in your local grocery store or local restaurants comes from nearby farms. Find questions to ask your grocer here: www.sustainabletable.org/shop/questions Make changes to your diet. Your food choices are a way to vote with your fork to change business behavior. And many changes you can make to reduce the environmental impact of your food are also good for your health. These include substituting other forms of protein for meat (especially red meat) and seeking out sustainably produced options when you do eat meat, eating fresh produce in season, seeking organic and local food, eating fewer processed foods, eating less, and wasting less. See these sites for help in changing your diet: www.meatlessmonday.org www.sustainabletable.org Support local farmers. Studies have found that some grocery-store produce has traveled 1,500 miles from the farm; the actual national average may be even higher. Supporting local and regional farms, including through farmers’ markets, CSAs, and increasingly, at your supermarket, can benefit your area’s economy, help to ensure that your area can support itself with food into the future, and can significantly reduce fossil fuel use for transportation and refrigeration. Find sources of locally produced food at these sites: www.eatwellguide.org www.localharvest.org Spread the word and speak out. If you change one person, you’ve changed one person. If you go to your school cafeteria and start demanding healthier and greener options, you’ve created a market for a lot of farmers and made it possible for a lot of kids to eat those healthier, greener foods. Check out these sites to get connected and find resources: www.farmtoschool.org www.foodroutes.org See these sites for some quick actions you can take today: www.sustainabletable.org/getinvolved/takeaction www.ucsusa.org/food_and_agriculture Consider a career in environmental public health. We need the best and the brightest getting engaged in research—in biology, economics, geography, mathematical modeling, epidemiology, political science, engineering, agricultural sciences, behavioral science—and so on. We need people working on programs and policy, and communicating with the public and others. We need young farmers who recognize the intellectual challenges of developing sustainable agriculture practices. We need business people working toward adapting our food supply. And we need political leaders who understand that food policy is public health policy. —Roni Neff 0 imagine January/February 009 http://www.eatwellguide.org http://www.localharvest.org http://www.sustainabletable.org/shop/questions http://www.farmtoschool.org http://www.foodroutes.org http://www.sustainabletable.org/getinvolved/takeaction http://www.ucsusa.org/food_and_agriculture http://www.meatlessmonday.org http://www.sustainabletable.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Imagine Magazine - Johns Hopkins - January/February 2009

Imagine Magazine - John Hopkins - January/February 2009
Contents
Letters
Big Problems
In My Own Words
Witness to a Pandemic
An Ounce of Prevention
Of Math and Measles
Predicting the Next Pandemic
Medicine, Medicine Everywhere
Food Matters
Looking for a Challenge? Try Summer College!
CTY: The Real Deal
Hot Topic
Selected Opportunities & Resources
Off the Shelf
Word Wise
Middle Ground
One Step Ahead
Exploring Career Options
Planning Ahead for College
Students Review
Creative Minds Imagine
Sudoku
Knossos Games

Imagine Magazine - Johns Hopkins - January/February 2009