NYT article: Urban Food Systems and Better Nutrition

There is an interesting article describing policy initiatives that aim to promote better nutrition by increasing access to local foods. Proposed policies would provide incentives for supermarkets and farmers' markets to locate in areas of need while restricting fast food restaurants. This policy would also require some public agencies to purchase a quantity of food from local sources.
This type of initiative is exactly the kind of systemic change I have been interested in for shaping a healthy, just and sustainable food system. While studying for my "first exam" this winter, I have gotten really into thinking about Kurt Lewin's notions of life-space and channels and gate-keepers (I wish I could say I had picked up on the relevance of this during my course last year...) and the consequences of how these issues shape the way people eat. It really all came together for me when one of my study-mates (thanks T!) said that Lewin was saying that if you want to change the way people eat you have to change the ways food gets to them. That just crystallized all my interests in food-system change in a single -forward sentence. Given this idea, I think that these policy initiatives are a great step and its about time that officials start thinking about shaping the food environment instead of the continual focus on individual lifestyle change.

NYT Article: good enough to eat; so go on and eat it already...

This article discusses some of the healthiest foods that folks aren't eating. It caught my eye because number one on the list are beets, a veggie I struggle with myself, but am gladly taking the challenge. However, this was one of the main veggies left behind (along with lettuce?!)in the swap box yesterday at the CSA pickup. So for all of you that fear the mysteries of the beet - be adventurous! It'll pay off in both health and the expansion of your culinary palette :)