Resource ListKaplan University

HW 499

Unit 6

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)

CSAs are ways for consumers to buy weekly shares of a farmer’s crops, usually locally grown, very fresh and less expensive than supermarkets.

The advantages of joining a CSA are to have very fresh foods with all their nutrients and vitamins, to be exposed to foods you generally would not, and to learn more about how our food is grown.

Simple definition of CSA is to create a relationship between farmers and consumers in which risks and bounties are shared.

Tons of information about CSAs here:

Local Harvest Community Supported Agriculture found at www.localharvest.org/csa/

Growing Diverse Economies Through Community Supported Agriculture. White, Ted. Northeastern Geographer. 2013, Vol 5, p 1-24. 24 p, 11/1/2013.

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO)

There is much controversy surrounding GMOs. The definition of GMOs is living organisms whose genetic material that has been artificially manipulated in a laboratory through genetic engineering (GE).

Corporations that are developing the GMOs are doing the studies that say they are okay for humans so the US government approved them to sell.

Most developed nations do not consider them to be safe, more than 60 countries have significant restrictions or outright bans on production and sales of GMOs.

www.responsibletechnology.org/10-Reasons-to-avoid-GMOs

10 Reasons to Avoid GMOs

www.nongmoproject.org/lean-more/

GMO Facts

Organic Foods

There are many different labels claiming that foods are organic: certified, 100% organic, etc.

100% organic means that the product(s) must be either all organic or made of all organic ingredients.

Benefits of buying organic: fewer pesticides, fresher, farming better for environment, no antibiotics, hormones or fed animal by-products, GMO free.

Drawbacks of buying organic: high cost, may spoil faster, may look less than perfect

www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/organic-food/art-20043880

Organic Foods: Are They Safer? More Nutritious?

www.helpguide.org/articles/healthy-eating/organic-foods.htm

Are Organic Foods Right for You?

Food Pantry

Food assistance programs, like a food pantry, were designed to be used in the short term, but the reality is that these programs are being used as long term answers for the hungry.

Personally working at a food pantry has opened my eyes to the need, even on my tiny island. There appears to be an average of 50 or so families that receive food from the food pantry.

The people who help at the food pantry do not receive enough thanks. Lifting and pulling huge boxes filled with canned goods, dried beans, peanut butter, pasta, etc. is a difficult job.

Volunteer at your food pantry!!

When Even the ‘Dollar Value Meal’ Costs Too Much: Food Insecurity and Long Term Dependence on Food Pantry Assistance. Paynter, Sharon, Berner, Maureen, and Anderson, Emily. Public Administration Quarterly. Spring 2011, Vol. 35 Issue 1, p 26-58. 33 p. 5 charts, 1 map.