DIGEST - Food News in 10min or less

Republicans in Congress are actively trying to ban state's efforts at GMO labeling laws, despite overwhelming support from the public and the rest of the world. California uses oil field waste water to water our crops, which feed much of the nation, but at what cost?

Tyson, one of the world's largest producers of meat and poultry, pollutes waterways at the U.S. more than almost every other company, including Exxon Mobil and Dow Chemicals. With fresh water becoming a rapidly disappearing commodity, why are we allowing the meat industry to contaminate what is left with little recourse? In Salinas, California some food growers are taking big steps to bring new life to the agriculture industry, connecting youth, agriculture, and technology through a new computer science program and an ag-tech startup hub. And the FDA finally begins testing our food for glyphosate residue. Glyphosate is the most commonly used pesticide and the World Health Organization recently listed it as probably carcinogenic to humans. 

Water wars are not a new story, especially if you live in the Western United States. But an interesting battle is taking place in Texas that reflects many people’s mindset about the precious resource. But what about farmers and our basic need to eat and drink? California Governor Jerry Brown includes $100 million in new funding for agricultural programs that combat man made climate change in the 2016 budget proposal. One of those solutions is to use the methane emitted from dairy cow manure as an energy source. A dairy in the UK is using poo to power over 6,000 homes, can we do that here? Lastly, Saru Jayaramen of the Restaurant Opportunities Center has a new book out called Forked, discussing the need to abolish the practice of tipping in restaurants and move towards a living wage for all workers. 

As artisanal chocolate reaches peak popularity, some point out the much bigger problem with one of our favorite sweet treats. Cacao, the basis for chocolate, is largely produced used slave labor in Africa and the increasing consumer price of chocolate is not being transferred to cacao farmers. A couple of new studies take a look at how our food tastes are tied to economic status and level of education, further underlining the need for increased access to healthy, affordable, culturally appropriate food. And the Canadian government partners up with a non-profit to help guide the food and beverage industry towards more sustainable practices. 

The Union of Concerned Scientists issued a report this week called Fixing Food: Fresh Solutions from Five U.S. Cities, highlighting the innovative efforts of five cities, including Oakland, to address problems created by our broken food system. A coalition of environmental and consumer groups oppose the new ruling expanding industrial fish farming in the Gulf of Mexico. And ICYMI, Campbell's soup is the first major food company to voluntarily adopt GMO labeling.

As armed domestic terrorists occupy federal buildings in the name of the meat industry, the USDA shoots thousands of coyotes to protect their assets, expanding farm to food bank programs help combat food waste, and bees are dying due to toxic pesticides while the EPA stands idly by.

Coca Cola tries to influence public university research in its favor by paying professors at the University of Colorado large sums of money; Congress passes a 2016 budget and sneaks in a few problematic provisions that affect our food; and fighting food waste with beer.

Coca Cola launches it’s holiday campaign in Mexico with a decidedly problematic message. COP21 leaves agriculture and farmers out of the agreement, and France passes an aggressive food waste law.

UC Berkeley’s Haas Institute for a Fair and Inclusive Society released a report on the Farm Bill, institutional racism and corporate control in our food system. We break it down and give you the the main points. Jaq covers the controversy surrounding the World Health Organization’s recent recommendations around the consumption of red and processed meats.    Resources:   Ayazi, H., Elsheikh, E. 2015. The US Farm Bill: Corporate Power and Structural Racialization in the United States Food System. UC Berkeley, Haas Institute for a Fair and Inclusive Society. Retrieved from http://diversity.berkeley.edu/sites/default/files/haasinstitutefarmbillreport_publish.pdf.   Holt, S. November 10, 2015. Does the U.S. Farm Policy Have a Race Problem?. Civil Eats. Retrieved from http://civileats.com/2015/11/10/does-u-s-farm-policy-have-a-race-problem-farm-bill/.   Berman, J. October 31, 2013. Walmart Is One of the Biggest Beneficiaries of Food Stamps. The Huffington Post. Retriev