Category: Campaign for Fair Food

TheVoiceOfJoyce Sliding scale local produce farms offer a way for low income families to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables yearly. There are 500 farms Nationally that produce fruits and vegetables for a subscription community. Subscribers purchase whatever is produced weekly, for a price they can afford, based on their economic situation. At Rock Steady Farms in upstate New York, members are asked to determine their ability to pay and Food Stamps ( Snap & EBT cards from the Federal Nutrition Program), are accepted. Next year, these programs will be expanded Nationwide with Federal Assistance. Farms allowing you to pay what you’re able, give people agency and the ability to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables at affordable prices. It’s a win win for small farms and their subscription community.

January 7, 2023

http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/jan/01/local-csa-farms-low-cost-food-access Sosa has no idea what her fellow members are electing to pay. “And that makes such a difference, to not feel like a charity,” she said. At Rock Steady, the annual price for members, based on their income, is split into high ($1,155), middle ($825) and lower ($660) brackets. In the lower bracket, that … More TheVoiceOfJoyce Sliding scale local produce farms offer a way for low income families to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables yearly. There are 500 farms Nationally that produce fruits and vegetables for a subscription community. Subscribers purchase whatever is produced weekly, for a price they can afford, based on their economic situation. At Rock Steady Farms in upstate New York, members are asked to determine their ability to pay and Food Stamps ( Snap & EBT cards from the Federal Nutrition Program), are accepted. Next year, these programs will be expanded Nationwide with Federal Assistance. Farms allowing you to pay what you’re able, give people agency and the ability to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables at affordable prices. It’s a win win for small farms and their subscription community.

TheVoiceOfJoyce The COP27 was dominated by the interests of major agricultural businesses, promoting pseudoscience, instead of solutions to world food scarcity and lack of biodiversity.

December 8, 2022

When 90% of the World’s farmers are small farmers, why aren’t Nations promoting what works and give indigenous voices a chance to be heard? When Roosevelt wanted to understand desertification, he sent aides to the Sahara desert. He listened to people and gradually we reclaimed our land and resources. Now, the entire World is in … More TheVoiceOfJoyce The COP27 was dominated by the interests of major agricultural businesses, promoting pseudoscience, instead of solutions to world food scarcity and lack of biodiversity.

TheVoiceOfJoyce In order to survive harsh climate conditions and Wars effecting wheat production , scientists have been experimenting with the preservation of Wheat.

December 4, 2022

Lebanon has an excellent agricultural university and worked injunction with Middle Eastern farmers to develop Durum Wheat. It will be commercially available in Morocco next year. Durum wheat will become the mainstay of the community. It can be used to make pasta, pizza, pitta, puff pastry and bread. This new wheat (Jamal) is a cross … More TheVoiceOfJoyce In order to survive harsh climate conditions and Wars effecting wheat production , scientists have been experimenting with the preservation of Wheat.

TheVoiceOfJoyce Soda tax reduces consumption & changes manufacturers behavior.

November 12, 2022

A soda tax in several cities reduced consumption and increased the health of black and Latino citizens. Sodas high sugar content leads to obesity and diabetes, among other systemic diseases. Adding the tax has many benefits! Soda manufacturers produce more healthy alternatives at cheaper cost to the consumers. The tax collected goes directly into healthcare … More TheVoiceOfJoyce Soda tax reduces consumption & changes manufacturers behavior.

AmericaSpeaks TheVoiceOfJoyce Fast food companies disproportionately market an unhealthy diet to people of color.

November 11, 2022

It’s a proven fact, African Americans, Hispanics are 10% on average more obese than white kids. The FTC hasn’t changed their advertising Laws in years. Lobbyist are more powerful than the Federal Government and control Marketing content. Can the FTC change, yes? This issue has been a priority of the Black and Hispanic communities. Unfortunately, … More AmericaSpeaks TheVoiceOfJoyce Fast food companies disproportionately market an unhealthy diet to people of color.

AmericaSpeaks TheVoiceOfJoyce Ingenuity combines with science at the Arkansas State university of the Biosciences Institute. R&D, in conjunction with Virginia Tech, headed Dr Lorence, is progressing to find varieties of wheat and rice that will grow and thrive in a rise in temperatures. Their research is necessary. With every rise in temperature, wheat and rice crops decrease 6-10%. 10 years ago, when I visited Technion University, in Haifa, Israel, we visited a bio fuel plant, Canola plants were raised in the desert to supply bio fuels, leaving corn for food consumption and people. Israel also grows most vegetables in a saline solution. Can we adapt? We can’t afford not to adapt to this hotter environment. Kudos to Dr Lorence at the Arkansas State University.

September 1, 2022

http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/sep/01/heat-resistant-crops-hotter-night-temperatures-climate

AmericaSpeaks TheVoiceOfJoyce In San Francisco Bay and Lake Merritt, there is a dark toxic algae bloom and a massive fish die off. The Putrid odor can be smelled immediately. What caused this die off? Most likely waste water high in Nitrogen and other chemicals that are filtered by the treatment plant coupled with the drought, the fish have no oxygen to survive. Without fish of all sizes, will the birds come? This was there feeding ground. How many circumstances of fish dying off can we, as a consumer, tolerate. Food insecurity is already on the rise. One more problem to tackle before the next heat wave hits. Still think we’re wise to have no back up to fossil fuels? There’s no debate. Our World is changing rapidly, we’re experiencing temperatures that will continue to increase. It’s predicted, this will be the coolest of the hot years. What’s America’s plan for the equitable survival of all citizens? We certainly can’t afford a political Party that says no, to Voting Rights and no to R&D of renewable energy and their implementation and no to moving forward with our lives.

September 1, 2022

http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/sep/01/dead-fish-oakland-lake-merritt-algae-bloom

AmericaSpeaks TheVoiceOfJoyce How is it possible, the Tampa Bay Area has more inflation than the rest of the Nation? Food prices up 8.3%, rents doubling? The Middle Class going homeless, lacking childcare, sick days and amidst this tragedy,Le Segundo, a family owned and operated business, provides a lifeline to its 140 employees. The cost of wheat , added $40,000 a month to his overhead, yet Mr More, the owner, managed to maintain his business, National customers and his employees. They have a pension plan, vacation days, sick days and a good salary. His hard work is paying off and he sees prices coming down for wheat. The food pantries, staffed by the Hernandez, husband and wife team, in another part of Tampa, aren’t as lucky. They’ve just been told, their rent will increase from $1500 – $3000 in a few months? What is Florida’s government doing to help their Cuban population, their Middle Class & poorer residents of the Tampa area? Why is Tampa experiencing a greater rate of inflation then the National average? What’s driving Tampa’s excessive inflation? Is it Greed?

August 28, 2022

http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/aug/28/how-a-century-old-bakery-is-weathering-inflation-in-the-uss-worst-hit-city

TheVoiceOfJoyce As the World becomes hot, our reliable grains, can’t withstand drought. These 5 ancient grains are mostly perennial and can be eaten whole, leaves and seeds, providing proteins and amino acids. Good food substitutes for diabetics and those who are gluten intolerant. What are these plants? Amaranth, Fonio, Pea grass ( black eyed peas), Kearnza and one annual root plant, Taro. Additionally, if you asked Israeli scientists 10 yrs ago , what to use to replace corn for ethanol, they’d recommend canola. The plants grow in the desert and don’t compete with any other food source. 10 yrs later, the Technion biologist, must have more innovations. I know for a fact, Israeli vegetables are grown in salivated water, giving them intense flavor. Farming and plantings can evolve to bring different and healthier tastes to our pallet. What was “ old” will be new to us and in many ways, more nutritious!

August 20, 2022

http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/aug/20/ancient-crops-climate-crisis-amaranth-fonio-cowpeas-taro-kernza

TheVoiceOfJoyce Indoor vertical farming is developing rapidly in America. Even Walmart is investing in Vertical Farms and selling their vegetables in stores. The big problem is energy usage. The renewable grid hasn’t caught up to vertical farming and greenhouse farming in America. The pluses are use of LED lighting, freshness locally and 70-95% less water. Zero contamination from bacteria. The models have room for growth and positions vertical farms in industrial parks, close to cities. No fertilizer, no Carbon emissions. In fact, where emission’s must be trapped, these farms can safely use their power. Vertical farms, like renewables, are an evolving industry with room for improvement on quality production with low priced clean energy. It’s part of our future. The Netherlands already supplies the EU with fresh produce. More vegetables, high in protein will evolve and be used in Vertical Farming. Like Solar Power and other renewables, this industry is nascent and a necessary supplement to todays, field crops.

August 18, 2022

http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/aug/17/indoor-vertical-farms-agriculture