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Total number of posts: 22695
Introductory
Marco Visscher introduces this month's theme on modern agriculture and food.Marco Visscher| April 2003 issue When children are asked where milk comes from, the majority says: 'From the supermarket.' I happen to know that this isn't quite true, as my grandparents had a dairy farm. But even so, I Read More...
Well done, Ryan!
How an 11-year-old Canadian boy became the hero of an African village. Tijn Touber | April 2003 issue When six-year-old Ryan Hreljac learned at school that there are many children in Africa without clean drinking water, he decided to help. Ryan, who lives in a small town near Ottawa, in Canada, was Read More...
Enjoying food
Rob Baris, who owns the Z&M delicatessen and the famous Zinc restaurant in Rotterdam, is a bon vivant without dogmas. He has worked out an action plan for Ode readers: a menu of delicious food that is healthy and socially responsible.Marco Visscher | April 2003 issue Going shopping The first step Read More...
Myth 1: Industrial agriculture will put an end to hunger
Not true. Hunger is not caused by food shortages, but by poverty. Marco Visscher | April 2003 issue Hunger plagues some 800 million people in the world. In India, 200 million do not get enough to eat, in Brazil 70 million and in the United States 33 million. Every four seconds someone in the world Read More...
Myth 2: Industrially produced food is safe, healthy and nutritious
Not true. In fact, industrial agriculture compromises food safety and nutrient values while increasing incidences of illnesses such as cancer, heart disease and obesity. Marco Visscher | April 2003 issue A trip to the local supermarket feeds the belief that there is nothing wrong with our food. Read More...
Myth 3: Industrial food is cheap
Not true. Social, health and environmental costs are not included. Marco Visscher | April 2003 issue The more technology and chemicals are used in farming, the cheaper our food. At least that is what the food industry keeps telling us. They insist that without industrial agriculture, our food Read More...
Myth 4: Industrial agriculture is efficient
Not true. Small-scale farms produce more agricultural products per hectare. Marco Visscher | April 2003 issue The bigger the farm, the more efficient, claim the advocates of industrial agriculture. Although they admit that large farms lead to the disappearance of family farms and rural Read More...
Myth 5: Industrial food offers greater choice
Not true. Supermarkets only offer the illusion of increased choice. Marco Visscher | April 2003 issue Thanks to industrial food, there is finally a much greater choice, or so agro companies claim. These days, tomatoes are always in season and kiwis are available all over the world. Pushing a Read More...
Myth 6: Biotechnology solves the problems of industrial agriculture
Not true. Biotechnology offers no solution to these problems. Marco Visscher| April 2003 issue The belief in the sanctity of industrial agriculture is based on a blind faith in technology. Accordingly, agro industry followers were quick to come up with a solution to cover up the cracks in their Read More...
Start a revolution in your kitchen
The shopping list that really contributes to a better world involves local, biological farmers, fair-trade products and vitamin supplements. Some steps for an action plan. Marco Visscher | April 2003 issue Local food Buying fresh, local seasonal food reduces the need for transport and, Read More...