I’ve organized the resources and FAQs in six categories: Sustainable Eating & Nutrition, Growing Food, Politics & Policy, Animal Welfare, Journalism & Writing, and For Parents & Kids. Under each category I’ve included my answers to the questions I’m most often asked on that topic. I’ve also listed links to organizations, publications, individuals and companies doing useful or interesting work in these areas. While this is not a comprehensive list, there are some great resources here and I hope you’ll take some time to familiarize yourself with them. And be sure to check out this fantastic list from Civil Eats — it’s a perfect starting place for those that want to change the food system.
Sustainable Eating & Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I eat vegetables and fruits seasonally and locally if I live somewhere with a long winter and a short growing season like Alaska?
- Is soy bad for me?
- Organic food is more expensive; is it worth the money?
Useful Links
- Eat Well directory of sustainably-raised meat, poultry, dairy, and eggs.
- Eat Wild lists local suppliers for grass-fed meat and dairy products.
- Food Routes on average food travels 1,300 miles from the farm to your table, this site offers resources on locally produced food.
Cooking
Frequently Asked Questions
- Most of us have hectic schedules and every minute counts. How do we find the time to cook?
- What are some of the repercussions of becoming more and more dependent on processed and prepared foods?
- I don’t know how to cook. How can I learn?
Useful Links
- America’s Test Kitchen Youtube channel how-to cooking videos on hundreds of dishes and techniques. They also offer an online cooking school for $20/month.
- SkillShare: this innovative platform allows almost anyone, anywhere to teach a project-based class either online to a global community or offline in their local community. You can search for cooking, brewing or bread baking classes in your region.
- The Institute of Urban Homesteading (Oakland): diverse, local instructors providing great, affordable classes on basic food skills for the “urban farm kitchen.”
Growing Food
Frequently Asked Questions
- I’m interested in planting a vegetable garden; how do I get started?
- I want to be a farmer; how do I get started?
Useful Links
- The Stockman Grass Farmer information on livestock grazing.
- Seeds of Change organically grown vegetable, flower, herb and cover crop seeds.
- Native Seeds/SEARCH diverse varieties of agricultural seeds from the American Southwest and northwest Mexico.
Politics & Policy
Frequently Asked Questions
- Which organizations are working to reform the American food system and agriculture and how can I help?
- Which organizations are working to reform our school lunch program and how can I get involved?
- What university programs can I enroll in to study food issues?
Useful Links
- The Ethicurian a site that focuses on sustainable, organic and local food.
- Civil Eats food politics blog.
- Obama Foodorama a daily diary of the “Obama Foodscape.” More links on Politics & Policy »
Animal Welfare
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why aren’t you a vegetarian?
- How do I know what type of seafood is sustainable?
Useful Links
- Animal Welfare Institute audits and certifies family farms.
- Temple Grandin a designer of livestock handling facilities and a Professor of Animal Science at Colorado State University.
- Farm Sanctuary works to end cruelty to farm animals.
Journalism & Writing
Frequently Asked Questions
- Will you blurb my book? Write a letter of support for my grant?
- Why have you not written a cookbook?
- Can I quote your books or articles in my writing, on my website, printed on a T-shirt, in an art project, on a poster etc?
For Parents & Kids
Frequently Asked Questions
- Where can I find good resources on food, agriculture and nutrition aimed at educating children?
Useful Links
- Center for Ecoliteracy’s Rethinking School Lunch Guide contains tools for improving school lunch programs, showcases success stories and offers a list of resources.
- The Center for Science in the Public Interest comprehensive, downloadable School Foods Tool Kit packed with resources.