Hunger & Food Security
"Do we really need industrial agriculture to feed the world?"
How can we feed the world—today and tomorrow?
The biggest players in the food industry—from pesticide pushers to fertilizer makers to food processors and manufacturers—spend billions of dollars every year not selling food, but selling the idea that we need their products to feed the world. But, do we really need industrial agriculture to feed the world? Can sustainably grown food deliver the quantity and quality we need—today and in the future? Our first Food MythBusters movie takes on these questions in under seven minutes. So next time you hear them, you can too.
Descargar el guión de video en Español.
Take Action
For a Fairer Farm Bill
In case you haven’t heard, things are heating up on Capitol Hill around the Farm Bill, the federal policy that shapes food, farm, and nutrition policy. Now’s our time to flex our collective muscle and speak up for a fair farm bill. Will you join us?
Food Heroes
Food Hero: FEEST
FEEST is the Food Education Empowerment and Sustainability Team! Based in Seattle, FEEST creates on-the-spot youth-driven cooking – of ideas and ingredients! – in the kitchen. Decisions are made communally about what will be prepared to create the day’s menu and serve up a delicious, healthy meal followed by a family-style feast – all while learning more about food and its […]
Food Hero: Kristin Carbone
Our Food Hero of the Chesapeake Bay is Kristin Carbone, the farmer of Radix Farm. After an initial career of community organizing and affordable housing advocacy, a stint with green building construction, a few seasons tending and establishing urban gardens, and four years helping to run a 300 member CSA farm, in 2009, Kristin started Radix […]
Food Hero: The Nelson Family
The Nelson Family in Minnesota used to raise their cattle conventionally, until illness and financial difficulties made the alternative path obvious. They switched to organic and selling milk though Organic Valley, a cooperative of farmers. Now they run a thriving family farm business. See them reflect on their transition and where it’s led them.
Q & A
Question:
Ever heard - or been asked - any of these questions: How is the playing field tilted to favor industrial agriculture? Why does concentration of control in the food system matter? What’s the pesticide treadmill? What's a "CAFO"? Aren’t there some crops you simply can’t grow with organic methods? How do you define “sustainable farming”?
For an in-depth look at the questions raised by this myth — download the Companion Reading Guide for this film, including answers to these questions and more. In this guide, Anna Lappé builds on the issues raised in the first MythBusting film and walks through some of the most critical questions related to the myth that we need industrial agriculture to feed the world.
Reports and Resources
Standing on the Sidelines: Why food and beverage companies must do more to tackle climate change
For the food and beverage industry, climate change is a major threat. For millions of people, it means more extreme weather and greater hunger. The Big 10 food companies are significant contributors to this crisis, yet they are not doing nearly enough to help tackle it. As part of the Behind the Brands campaign, Oxfam calls on the Big 10 to step up and take action on climate change.
Agroecology Fact Sheet
Agroecology applies ecological science to the study and practice of food and farming. It links ecology, culture, economics, and traditional knowledge to create healthy, plentiful food, enrich soil, combat climate change, and conserve water and other resources. Download and share this fact sheet on the benefits and success of agroecology, created by Small Planet Institute.
American Wasteland
American Wasteland chronicles how we waste food from farm to fork and examines the impact of our squandering. With an upbeat tone, the book offers suggestions on how we—as a nation and as individuals—can trim our waste. A word of warning: It’s a book that forces you to reconsider your approach to food. Because once you’re looking for food waste, it’s hard to miss.
From the Blog
Stop the TPP Fast Track
If you flex your civic muscle one time this month – or even all year – now is the moment! Join us in calling on your representatives to send a loud and clear message to say no to a Fast Track for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).
What’s Doritos Got to Do with Rainforests?
Check out this brilliant video by our friends at Rainforest Action Network - a cheesy (literally) love story brought to you by Doritos and palm oil. Then change the ending with SumofUs.org.
Don’t Panic, Go Organic: The IPCC Report Should be a Wakeup Call for Climate-Smart Food
The stark predictions of the recent IPCC report need not result in more hunger. In fact, they can also be the wake-up call we need to make “climate-smart” food decisions. And for once there is some good news in the story of global warming: We already have a solution. Read on for 4 climate-smart food strategies.