Americans are getting fatter

Americans are fast becoming the fattest population in all of recorded history. According to the article, "American adults are fatter than at any time in history. And their overweight kids are on track to grow up to be even fatter." The healthcare costs of obesity are beginning to rival those of smoking.

What's the solution? Eat an unprocessed, plant-based diet and get 40 minutes of exercise every day. The excess weight will melt off of you.

It is about time we start waking up to the food additives that are wreaking havoc with our lives and our metabolism. Kids learn by example. If their parents are having pop-tarts for breakfast, the kids will eat those as well.

Rich are getting richer

According to an IRS report, the rich are getting richer, faster than ever before. "Had President Bush's latest tax cuts been in effect in 2000, the amount of taxes paid by the wealthiest Americans would have dropped an additional 20 percent, according to analysis by the New York Times."

Organic Ice Cream

Ben & Jerry's are going to try organic ice cream and will use as much organic milk as Vermont dairy farmers can provide.

While large-scale processed food operations fundamentally leave a lot to be desired (e.g., they cannot provide truly fresh, locally produced products), much good can come from the impact they provide. True change in agriculture and sustainability will come from grassroots demand, not governmental legislation. If we can provide the demand, companies such as Ben & Jerry's will take notice and attempt to meet that need.

Increased Cost for Organic Foods

The biotech revolution is driving costs up for organic foods. Genetically modified crops are so pervasive, many organic farmers cannot assure that their products are free of genetically modified ingredients.
Some processed food producers are turning overseas for organic ingredients because they cannot be assured that American products are free from cross-pollenization contamination. Organic farmers also face difficulties selling their products overseas where public opinion against GMOs are still quite strong.

More information at the Organic Farming Research Foundation.