Beyond Organic

Join host Jerry Kay as we make the connection between global warming and hyperindividualism and hear what local communities can do to curb greenhouse gas emissions.

For many people, the phrase comfort food conjures up images of hearty portions of meat and potatoes or the smells of rich cakes and cookies just coming out of the oven. However, according to Elaine Magee, You can have your comfort foods and eat light too.

Obesity, dangerous food additives and nutritional labeling are all being confronted at the state level. So how are Big Food industry lobbyists reacting? Will state laws continue to lead national policy?

Farmer John Peterson has been called a maverick, a philosopher and a devil worshipper for his approach to life, art and organic vegetable growing. Now, his story is hitting the big screen winning kudos from Al Gore and Roger Ebert while racking up film festival awards.

According to the Institute of Medicine, $10 billion a year is spent marketing food to children. How many of those dollars are put toward healthy food messaging?

With just two percent of the population growing food for all of us, it s fair to say farmers are a threatened species. They re also not the most social crowd. Michael Ableman - farmer, writer, photographer and educator - set out on a cross country trip at the height of harvest time to visit America s farmers on their own turf.

Over 20 million coral reef fish are sold to aquarium hobbyists every year. The majority of them are stunned by divers who use cyanide to poison the waters around them. Sensitive coral reefs and other marine wildlife suffer from this toxic collection method.

For renowned food writer Michael Pollan, a critical step toward understanding our food chains and making smarter eating choices is accepting that the cult of convenience is a cult of ignorance.

Flipping through your favorite cookbook, can you find a danger list of fruits and vegetables most likely to hold pesticide residue? Do you find yourself considering food safety studies and the global consequences of supporting local farmers? Authors Anna Lappe and Bryant Terry definitely do and they ve re-imagined the traditional cookbook. Join us as we hear thoughts on food industry myths, childhood obesity, shopping, cooking and more.

24 percent of pediatric hospitals in North America have a fast food outlet in them. Join us as we find out how healthcare facilities can overhaul their approach to food, meet a doctor who started an on-site farmer s market and hear how one hospital is even growing its own vegetables.

Join us as we hear first hand from Louisiana small farmers about the damage they ve suffered, their rebuilding efforts and a small relief fund that s become a life preserver in a sea of government indifference.

Shepherd Ogden hears people claim that starting their own organic garden is too complicated, he has a quick reply. I was an art major, he says, I didn t have any training in this. He says would-be gardeners who start small and commit to paying attention, can t help but waken their inner green thumb.

In celebration of tax season, find out how living a green lifestyle can also put money back in your pocket.

The living Farmer Pat Trask makes growing alfalfa could be threatened by the planting of GE crops nearby which will likely contaminate his own fields. He could then be sued for millions by the large biotech company who s patented the contaminating GE seed. So, he s suing the government.

If rising sea levels, melting glaciers and intensifying tropical storms have you shouting, take heart. The reason Europeans use half as much energy as we do is not because they have better technology", Bill McKibben believes "It's because they have better communities".

If rising sea levels, melting glaciers and intensifying tropical storms have you shouting, take heart. The reason Europeans use half as much energy as we do is not because they have better technology, Bill McKibben believes It s because they have better communities.

Join us as we discuss the emotional, nutritional and biological connections we have with comfort cuisine, learn about healthy alternatives and see how Slow Food USA is mapping America s traditional regional foods.

Obesity, dangerous food additives and nutritional labeling are all being confronted at the state level. So how are Big Food industry lobbyists reacting? Will state laws continue to lead national policy? Join us as we hear from food law expert Michele Simon, State Representative Sean Faircloth from Maine and a leading New Mexican additive activist.

John Peterson has been called a maverick, a philosopher and a devil worshipper for his approach to life, art and organic vegetable growing. Now, his story is hitting the big screen in "The Real Dirt on Farmer John". Join us as we hear Farmer John's opinions on topics including: the cost of organics, biodynamic farming and GMO's.

When Eric Morrow returned to his farm after Hurricane Katrina passed, he compared the damage to the impact of a nuclear bomb. Hear first hand from Louisiana small farmers about the damage they've suffered, their rebuilding efforts and a small relief fund that's become a life preserver in a sea of government indifference.

An estimated 100,000 homes in New Orleans suffered severe flooding when Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast last fall. Those homes are now contaminated with a mold growth that could pose a serious health hazard. So why are the EPA, FEMA and other government agencies dismissing the warnings of scientists and telling residents they can safely return to their neighborhoods?

For the low-income urban farmers of South Central Los Angeles, creating a 14-acre community garden has been a life changing opportunity. It’s allowed many to earn a living, create access to fresh produce, grow traditional ethnic foods, and expose children to a gang-free environment. When their 14-acre community garden was sold out from under them, they decided to occupy, refusing to leave despite legal challenges and intimidation tactics. On January 13th 2006, a court decision will decide whether the 300+ South Central Farmers can be forcibly removed.

In the USA, $10 billion a year is spent marketing food to children. Only a fraction is put toward healthy food messaging compared to the sums junk food manufacturers are spending. We talk about food marketing with Dr. Susan Linn, author of a recent book on marketing to children. We’ll also hear how a group of former teachers is building healthy lesson plans for elementary schools.

This week, we’re featuring some of our favorite interviews from 2005: Michael Pollan — Author/Journalism Professor, UC Berkeley Andrew Kimbrell — Executive Director, Center for Food Safety Brahm Ahmadi — Co–Founder/Director, People’s Grocery Dr. William E. Walsh — Author/Allergist, American College of Allergy, Ashma and Immunology

With just two percent of the population growing food for all of us, it's fair to say farmers are a threatened species. They're also not the most social crowd. Michael Ableman set out on a cross country trip at the height of harvest time to visit America's farmers on their own turf. Join us and find out what he saw and heard, and hear his predictions on the future of food and farming.

Between 1993 and 2003 not a single peer reviewed article published in a scientific journal cast doubt on global warming. However, more than 53 percent of mainstream news articles covering the topic did. So, where’s the disconnect between scientific fact, media coverage and readership interest.

Critics say hospitals are sending mixed messages to patients and visitors. Find out how healthcare facilities can overhaul their approach to food, meet a doctor who started an on-site farmer s market and hear how one hospital is even growing its own vegetables.

Join host Jerry Kay as he catches up with environmental business and community leaders at recent eco-conferences in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Over 20 million coral reef fish are sold to aquarium hobbyists every year with the vast majority of them wild caught. These are stunned by divers who use cyanide to poison the waters around them. Sensitive coral reefs and other marine wildlife suffer the consequences of this toxic collection method. We'll also learn about cruise ship pollution and a new type of biodegradable plastic that's being used in water bottles.

The question: are organic standards - and the process which guides their evolution - being undermined by corporate greed or are those same standards being protected to promote booming growth that benefits farmers and consumers?