"Senate Passes Sweeping Food Safety Bill, House Up Next"

Click here to read the latest word about the Senate's passage of the Food Safety Modernization Act.

The Black Isle Brewery: "Save the Planet - Drink Organic"

I'll first start off by saying that I don't know much about beer nor pretend to. But, I guess because I'm a white person, I've always been interested in the process, craft and story behind small breweries. Recently, I had the opportunity to visit a burgeoning brewery in Scotland - The Black Isle Brewing Co. - and see the process from hops to glass. So, here goes my first post about beer...

The Black Isle Brewery is located in an unassuming locale - close to Inverness and off the winding side roads and sheep-dotted fields of the A9. The Brewery itself is a small operation, marked only by the empty kegs in front of a processing barn and an adjacent gift shop where tours of the facility begin. The tour, lead by a cute, enthusiastic gray-haired woman lasted only about 20 minutes and took us through the grain and hop store, where the malt is mashed, the boiling and hopping station, the fermentation and conditioning tanks, and the sealing and packaging room. Our guide told us that in addition to kegs for local bars - including nearby Hootananny, which in itself is an experience (award-winning Thai food and traditional Scottish music mixed with every stereotype of a pub) - 10,000 bottles of Black Isle beer are shipped out every week, bottled, sealed and labeled by only three individuals. It's an unfathomable yet impressive number when you see the size of the space.

Since its creation in 1998, Black Isle and its founder and managing director David Gladwin maintain sustainability as a cornerstone philosophy. All of the barley and hops are sourced from organic operations, primarily from the U.S. and Germany. Any waste - from hops or malt - are used as compost or animal feed for nearby farms. So, even more reason to drink! 

Click here to check out Black Isle's range of beers. (I tried three different kinds in the taste-test at the end of the tour - Organic Blonde, Organic Yellowhammer and Organic Red Kite, the first beer made by the Brewery. At the pub, I ordered the Organic Red Kite. I can't really articulate why I liked this one the best, because, again, I know nothing about beer, but I just liked it.)

Maybe, even in the case of small breweries, it's that pastoral image of a small producer toiling away to perfect his or her craft that makes us want to root for them and see them succeed. Yet, the Black Isle Brewery doesn't need my praise - or that of the two friends, whom I'm traveling with and who do drink beer and thought it was excellent - to do so. It's won accolades from the Soil Assocation in the Organic Food Awards 2008 and 2010 and won the Society of Independent Brewers' Champion Beer of Scotland 2009. 

Black Isle is also in the process of completing a larger processing facility to keep up with demand, but in a controlled manner to maintain the quality and preserve what makes it popular among its loyal customers. The older facility will be used to make ginger beer, and perhaps, become a more appropriate facility for families.

Our tour guide also mentioned that the Brewery is in the process of finding a distributor in the U.S., so you may soon have a chance to taste Black Isle wares. But, if you ever do find yourself in Scotland, I recommend visiting The Black Isle Brewing Co. and see where it all began.

**The Black Isle Brewery: Old Allangrange, Munlochy, Ross-shire, Scotland. Tours: Monday-Saturday (10-6 - all year); Sunday (11:30-5 - April to September, inclusive)

Songs for Stuffing: A Thanksgiving Mix

Paulo Lopez/NPR

OK, it's a little - or a lot - cheesy, but here's a Thanksgiving mix compiled by NPR.

I know, as if this blog wasn't nerdy enough, I think I just brought it to the next level.

Click here to stream the playlist and listen wherever you are on Thursday.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Making food fair + showing thanks for our farmers

From Dave Murphy, founder and director at Food Democracy Now!:

This video highlights an impressive campaign by The Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW) who have advocated tirelessly for the rights of farmworkers to be paid a decent wage for the work of picking tomatoes. Every day in Florida, workers go out into the fields under the hot sun to pick the tomatoes that end up on our plates.

For a full bucket of tomatoes, weighing 32 pounds, farmworkers are only paid 45 to 50 cents. Unimaginably, this wage has not changed in more than 30 years. Fortunately, there are groups like the Coalition of Immokalee Workers who are advocating to change this.

Incredibly, these farmworkers are only asking for a raise of as little as a penny a pound.

As we eat our Thanksgiving meals this year, I want to ask that we all begin to think deeper about our food and the consequences that our meals have on everything around us. It’s really unfathomable that as little as a penny per pound could make a difference in someone’s life, but time after time, as we’ve found out, it’s the little changes that eventually add up.

Here at Food Democracy Now!, we’d like to honor all the farmers and farmworkers who make this day possible and to all the people across the country working tirelessly to bring us the stories of those who help make the world a better place by growing and harvesting our food.

"What Food Says About Class in America: Divided We Eat"

As you begin your prep for Thanksgiving, maybe you think about the less fortunate for a day or two, donate old, generic canned goods and then get back to the details of your own family feast. However, food insecurity is a real and pressing issue for millions of individuals.

In the U.S., still deemed an affluent country, millions of individuals don't know where to find their next meal. Hunger and malnutrition demand our attention for longer than the winter holiday season when charity becomes a forced concept rather than voluntary one. Sure, some people can perhaps buy their way out - via organic, local or insert any other foodie, ethical buzzword - and, while they shouldn't be knocked for making the effort, our food system remains extremely divided.

Here's an expert from "Divided We Eat" by Lisa Miller, contributor at Newsweek that puts the issue into perspective. (There may be some statistics that local food advocates have already seen, however, the evidence is still alarming.)

According to data released last week by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 17 percent of Americans—more than 50 million people—live in households that are “food insecure,” a term that means a family sometimes runs out of money to buy food, or it sometimes runs out of food before it can get more money. Food insecurity is especially high in households headed by a single mother. It is most severe in the South, and in big cities. In New York City, 1.4 million people are food insecure, and 257,000 of them live near me, in Brooklyn. Food insecurity is linked, of course, to other economic measures like housing and employment, so it surprised no one that the biggest surge in food insecurity since the agency established the measure in 1995 occurred between 2007 and 2008, at the start of the economic downturn. (The 2009 numbers, released last week, showed little change.) The proportion of households that qualify as “hungry”—with what the USDA calls “very low food security”—is small, about 6 percent. Reflected against the obsessive concerns of the foodies in my circle, and the glare of attention given to the plight of the poor and hungry abroad, even a fraction of starving children in America seems too high.

Mine seems on some level like a naive complaint. There have always been rich people and poor people in America and, in a capitalist economy, the well-to-do have always had the freedom to indulge themselves as they please. In hard times, food has always marked a bright border between the haves and the have-nots. In the earliest days of the Depression, as the poor waited on bread lines, the middle and upper classes in America became devoted to fad diets. Followers of the Hollywood 18-Day Diet, writes Harvey Levenstein in his 1993 book Paradox of Plenty,“could live on fewer than six hundred calories a day by limiting each meal to half a grapefruit, melba toast, coffee without cream or sugar, and, at lunch and dinner, some raw vegetables.”

But modern America is a place of extremes, and what you eat for dinner has become the definitive marker of social status; as the distance between rich and poor continues to grow, the freshest, most nutritious foods have become luxury goods that only some can afford. Among the lowest quintile of American families, mean household income has held relatively steady between $10,000 and $13,000 for the past two decades (in inflation-adjusted dollars); among the highest, income has jumped 20 percent to $170,800 over the same period, according to census data. What this means, in practical terms, is that the richest Americans can afford to buy berries out of season at Whole Foods—the upscale grocery chain that recently reported a 58 percent increase in its quarterly profits—while the food insecure often eat what they can: highly caloric, mass-produced foods like pizza and packaged cakes that fill them up quickly. The number of Americans on food stamps has surged by 58.5 percent over the last three years.

Click here to read the article and hopefully feel inspired to do something, or at the very least, start a discussion.

SWYF Find: The Edinburgh Farmers' Market

Just below the grandiose Edinburgh Castle exists the lively Edinburgh Farmers' Market. Even on a rainy Saturday morning, loyal market customers came out in droves to support their local farmers and producers, all located in or just outside Edinburgh. Nearly 60 vendors, including small organic vegetable and meat farmers, cheesemakers, soapmakers, specialty tea and coffee kiosks, talented knitters and craftsmen, non-profits and bakers, line the sidewalks of Castle Terrace.

The market offers regional delicacies - including venison, wild boar and haggis for the meat-eaters - as well as ewe and goat cheeses, breads made from natural yeasts, wheat, spelt and other grains grown within the British isles.

Some of the vendors you should visit:

• The Chocolate Tree: hand-crafted chocolate truffles, bars and other treats. Uses fair-trade and organic ingredients. Excellent flavor combinations. Business right in Edinburgh!
• East Coast Organics: incredible looking produce - the bright green, purple, red and off-white veggies provide a much-needed color boost against the dreary November weather.
• Caurnie Soaps: a range of handcrafted, herbal and vegan body-care, available to the Scottish community since 1922. Unique scents, including a range of nettle-based soaps said to be good for dry skin sufferers - it smells excellent too.
• Stoats Porridge Bars: the most decadent granola bars you've ever had. Very few ingredients in each bar, but filling and good for breakfast or snack for hikes.
• Kate Sharp Knitwear: Some of the most beautiful sweaters and hand-spun wool I've seen from my trip. Wool from the artisan's own flock of sheep.

Many of these artisans have online stores, but for the sake of the environment and staying truly local, try to experience the market if you visit Edinburgh and support its local economy.

**Edinburgh Farmers' Market: Castle Terrace, Edinburgh; year-round, Saturdays (9-2). Visit the market's Web site for more information, recipes and news from vendors.

You Are Who You Eat With by Katherine Gustafson — YES! Magazine

Click here to read "You Are Who You Eat With," by Katherine Gustafson from the Winter 2011 issue of Yes! Magazine. Certainly busy schedules and economic situations determine the pace of family lives, but Gustafson points to how eating as a family contributes to health of the family - or friend - unit and individual happiness.

A good article to read and share before Thanksgiving.

SWYF Find: The Edinburgh Larder

Perhaps November is not the best time to travel to the UK, but you can manage to avoid huge crowds of tourists and come across some amazing food. London was a bit overwhelming, and, although the restaurants were good, Edinburgh has impressed me thus far.

Edinburgh's historic castles, chapels, closes (or alleyways) and cobblestone streets are enough reasons for you to visit. But, you'll find a few food gems like The Edinburgh Larder that make you appreciate Scotland's local food flavors.

Located just off the famed stretch The Royal Mile, The Edinburgh Larder provides a rustic and delightfully refreshing menu. The cafe prides itself on sourcing as many local ingredients as it can, including beer from two of Edinburgh's breweries - Belhaven and Falkrik Tryst. Flavor combinations of local cheeses, meats, seasonal or canned produce, along with homemade breads, and daily soup and sandwich options leave you anything but bored with the menu.

The prices are extremely reasonable, especially for good, local food. You can get half a sandwich and a bowl of soup - which I had - for around $8. If cheese isn't your thing, there are vegan options on the menu as well that all looked tasty.  (One of the things I've noticed about the UK, on its menus at restaurants and labels on food packaging, is that "V" doesn't necessarily mean "vegan," but almost always "vegetarian." If you love dairy, you'll love these countries...)

The cafe itself is cozy, without being hippy-dippy or cluttered. It's airy and its decor is simple, displaying art from local photographers and painters, gifts and take-away options.

If you're ever in the Edinburgh area, I strongly suggest the Edinburgh Larder for omnivores, vegetarians/vegans or anyone who likes, what the proprietors call, "good mood food."

**THE EDINBURGH LARDER: 15 Blackfriars St., Edinburgh. Open Monday-Saturday (8-5); Sunday (9-5). Visit its site for more information and to view the online store.

SWYF Find: The Borough Market - London

After roaming the streets of London today, we stumbled upon an amazing open-air market - the Borough Market. Amid pub grub, TESCOs, ASDAs and other familiar big box and fast food establishments, this was an awesome find.

It's definitely a foodie mecca. There's booth after booth speciality, hand-crafted wares from small food producers - organic olives, artisan cheeses and meats, piles of specialty mushrooms and cases of truffles, small-batch jams and preserves, freshly made breads and baked goods, spice mixes, locally sourced produce, craft beers and endless amounts of prepared, yet healthful foods.

Some vendors or traders I liked:

• Oliveology: Organic olives straight from a family-owned farm in Greece. This vendor also sells a unique olive leaf tea.
• The Cinnamon Tree Bakery: Small artisan bakery based out of South London. High quality ingredients, sensitive to dietary needs and offers incredible baked goods. The brownies are unreal - and gluten free!

Courtesy of Kasey Clark/hellokasey.tumblr.com

A word to vegetarians: There are a lot of options open to you, especially cheeses, vegan and vegetarian dishes and fresh produce. However, there is a prominent meat and fish section, which you can choose to ignore. This area is worth looking at for its cultural significance and striking photo opportunities.

Sure, shopping at Borough Market is a bit more expensive than going to a regular grocery store, but if you're a regular at farmers' markets in the U.S., you'll appreciate it. It's an excellent place to find items for a roving picnic as you wander around London.

**BOROUGH MARKET: 8 Southwark St., London; housed in the Jubilee Market, and adjoining Green Market. Open Tuesday-Wednesday (11-5); Thursday (11-5), Friday (12-6) + Saturday (8-5). Check out the Market Web site for more news on vendors, events and additional information.

Ramsbottom + Scout Moor Wind Farm

Where I stayed for the first few days in England, I could see a wind farm from several different angles. We took a hike up there and the turbines are pretty amazing to see up close, especially in contrast to the green and brown hues of the English countryside, sheep grazing in the field and the bustling towns below. 

Here's a few of my favorite shots so far from my pictures from the hike (I'll post a slideshow when I have some more time!)

"Feeding the Faith"

Read my article in the current November/December issue of E Magazine about how "religious orders are growing vegetables, raising cows and making cheese in the name of the spirit."

You can also see my attempt at taking photos for the magazine (sorry to the professionals out there - I did my best.)

What I already love about England

I've only been in the Manchester area for a few days now, and there are already many things I like about it...

1. Afternoon tea. It's real!
2. There's a tax on plastic bags. As there should be.
3. Food labels are super detailed, but user friendly. Not only do all food items contain a country of origin (where they're grown) label [which, again, the U.S. should be required to enact nationally], but almost all the stickers and packages I've seen clearly list if they're suitable for distinct diets and a recycling symbol, which, in some cases, seems to suggests remorse if the package cannot yet be recycled. (Litter is also heavily taxed, so the less, the better.)
4. The 'right of way' policy. If you love hiking or just taking long walks, England - and I think Wales - is an awesome place to do so. Traversing both public and private property are hundreds, maybe even thousands of, acres of foot or bridle paths in which people can walk, free from penalty of trespassing, for recreational purposes or to get to their nearest location. You get a really excellent view and experience of the countryside, and get your exercise for the day as well. Since the towns are so close together, it's a cheap (free) and enjoyable form of travel. 

Pictures to follow and more posts to come.

Speak With Your Food goes abroad!

For the next month, Speak With Your Food will be going global - well at least European. I'll be blogging from there, trying to post as often as I can with pictures and tidbits about local food culture, agricultural and environmental issues in the UK and other countries that I visit.

While I have a general plan of where I'm going, I'm open to recommendations on farms, farmers' markets, restaurants and other food-related suggestions.

Happy reading!