Posts

Image
What does 'local' really mean? Human Stories What does 'local' really mean? Eating local, or buying local products, is becoming more and more ingrained into our everyday life. Supermarkets advertise that some of their produce is local or from local farmers. Yet, 'local' Buying local keeps money within the community, helping small businesses thrive and creating more job opportunities for residents is a term that can mean everything and nothing at the same time. Can we really define local? A 'local food system' does not have one single definition, as everyone defines it a little bit differently. One of the most factors used to define local is the geographical distance between the point of sale and the point of production. Where it ge...

The Science Behind Your Food Choices

Image
Food and Place | Does Where You Live Influence Your Eating Habits Food and Place | Does Where You Live Influence Your Eating Habits Where food is sold is not decided randomly, and many factors go into determining where you can buy certain foods. But have you ever considered what goes into making those decisions and what consequences they can have on our own behaviors? Find out how the positioning of food outlets The availability of grocery stores, farmers' markets, and fast-food outlets in your area directly impacts the types of food you consume, with limited access often leading to reliance on processed or convenience foods can affect our health and society as a whole. Food outlets are all around us, and not one of them is located where it is by accident. From the smallest street vendor to the largest supermarket, every business selling food is doing so with a simple goal in mind – to be suc...
Image
Cashew Nuts: The Hidden Cost of Production Cashew Nuts: The Hidden Cost of Production Alongside the dramatic rise in health-conscious and vegan diets, cashew nuts are fast becoming the world's favorite nut. But does this rise in demand come at a cost? Discover the working conditions of cashew processors in India, the hidden costs of cashew processing, and how we as consumers Cashew nut production is highly labor-intensive, requiring manual processing at nearly every stage, from harvesting to shelling, which often exploits low-wage workers in developing countries can make a difference. Main Cashew Nut Suppliers India is a key figure in the global cashew nut trade, a food product with a market valued at some 6.27 billion dollars. After Vietnam, India is the largest grower, processor, and supplier of c...
Image
Imported Organic Food | Do They Meet EU Organic Standards? Imported Organic Food | Do They Meet EU Organic Standards? How much of the organic food supply in the EU is imported? Are the high European standards for organic food really met by these imports, and what are the difficulties? In 2019, about 3.24 million tonnes of organic agri-food products were imported into the EU. This included exotic fruit and vegetables grown in the tropics, animal feed, meat, spices, processed food Imported organic food is produced under strict regulations that prohibit the use of synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), and artificial additives, ensuring its purity and quality. , and non-edibles (e.g. cosmetics, oil, and plant extracts) from all around the globe. Which imported organic foods are more likely to be organic?...
Image
Health Benefits of Organic Rice The Health Benefits of Organic Rice: A Nutritious Choice for Your Diet In recent years, there has been a growing interest in organic foods as people become more conscious of their health and the environment. Among these organic options, organic rice Organic rice is packed with essential nutrients such as vitamins (B1, B3, B6), minerals (magnesium, phosphorus, iron), and fiber. These nutrients support overall health by promoting energy production, improving digestion, and maintaining healthy blood sugar levels. stands out as a nutritious and versatile staple that offers numerous health benefits. Whether you want to improve your diet or reduce your carbon footprint, organic rice is an excellent choice. Let's explore why this grain deserves a place on your plate. What Is Organic Rice? Organic rice is grown without the use of synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, or genetically ...
Image
Crops That Feed The World: Maize Crops That Feed The World: Maize Sin maíz no hay país – without maize, there is no country – is a popular slogan from a Mexican campaign that seeks to preserve the country's native maize seeds, varieties, and smallholder farmers' rights. In Mexico and many other countries, where millions depend on maize for their sustenance and livelihoods, protecting the crop and the means of its production has become a way of life. Globally, maize is produced more than any other cereal, and it's the subject of heated debate. Unlike wheat and rice, the second and third most-produced cereals, a large share of the maize we grow does not end up on our plates. Instead, around 85% of maize harvested each year is used for feeding animals in the food supply Maize, also known as corn, is one of the most widely grown cereal crops in the world, serving as a staple food for over 400 million people, p...