Tag: Family

Social Implications in Agriculture, well-being, What is Organic

Life Lessons: Growing Food in an Iowa Backyard

Melody Meyer
I was digging it early on!
Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash

I recently interviewed my sister for an oral history project. She evoked images of the place we grew up next to our German grandparents. She proclaimed, “Those two small houses side by side, they were so close to the street!”

The houses (one purchased from the Sears and Roebuck catalog) were close to the street for a reason – it afforded us a large backyard of fertile soil – once a flood plain of the Cedar River.

From this patch of land, we ate well.

Continue reading “Life Lessons: Growing Food in an Iowa Backyard” →
Environment, Organic Policy and Regulations, Social Implications in Agriculture, What is Organic

Six Days and Seven Nights – Eating Organic Makes a Big Difference

Melody Meyer

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Photo by Boston Public Library on Unsplash

I began eating organic food back in the 1980s before Federal Regulations defined the category. Pesticides originated as chemicals used in warfare, and I intuitively felt that ingesting food grown with them just couldn’t be right.

It’s true that sometimes I fudge a bit. If my local store doesn’t have organic onions (which is rare these days), and I need one for a recipe, I’ll buy a conventional one rather than go to another store.

After hearing about a new study, I will rethink my recipe. This research shows that when people eat organic food for one week, their levels of glyphosate drop dramatically! Continue reading “Six Days and Seven Nights – Eating Organic Makes a Big Difference” →

Culinary Delights, Organic Policy and Regulations, Social Implications in Agriculture, well-being, What is Organic

Waste Not Want Not: Granny’s Tips on Reducing Food Waste

Melody Meyer

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Photo by Christian Bowen on Unsplash

My grandmother used the old adage “waste not want not” for good reason. She was a woman who lived during the Great Depression, she grew our family’s food most of her life. Planting, nurturing, harvesting and preserving food was her life—and she didn’t intend to waste any of it!

In the US, we throw away 30-40 percent of our food supply. That’s 219 pounds per person and $1600 per family each year.

Wholesome food that could feed families in need is sent to landfills. Food is the single largest component taking up space inside US landfills.

If that isn’t enough to motivate you, think about the land, water, labor, energy and other inputs used in producing, processing, transporting, preparing, storing, and disposing of discarded food.

For me, you and I, it may be about saving money. For others, it’s about contributing to the environment and doing your part to save the planet.

Whatever your reason is to reduce your food waste, I’m going to give you some hints from my pantry and Granny. Continue reading “Waste Not Want Not: Granny’s Tips on Reducing Food Waste” →

Culinary Delights, Environment, Organic Policy and Regulations, well-being, What is Organic

Cultivating Mental Health is Key to Conquering the Pandemic

Melody Meyer

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Photo by Lauren McConachie on Unsplash

Over the past several months, the world has been stuck in lockdown. Many of us have been self-isolating, hunkering down at home, so we don’t contract or spread the virus.

Life isn’t the same as it was. We cannot do the things we once did, nor can we be with some of the people we love.

It’s enough to make us all feel a bit mad.

These unprecedented times are having consequences, not only for our physical health and our livelihoods, but most importantly, our state of mind.

There are a few secrets I have discovered to keep me sane and centered amidst all the change.  Continue reading “Cultivating Mental Health is Key to Conquering the Pandemic” →

Culinary Delights, well-being, What is Organic

Grant Lundberg On Caring for Family, Customers and the Community During the Pandemic

Melody Meyer

 

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Since 1937, the Lundbergs have grown healthy, great-tasting rice while stewarding the soil, air, water, and wildlife as carefully as their crops. Lundberg Family Farms, led by the family’s third generation, uses sustainable farming practices and 100% renewable energy to craft wholesome rice, rice cakes, rice chips, risottos, quinoa, and more. All while protecting and improving the planet for future generations.

Before the pandemic, they experienced steady growth thanks to their efforts to optimize the retail distribution of their fastest-selling items.

After shelter-in-place orders were issued, consumers began purchasing staples for home-cooked meals. This resulted in unprecedented demand for their packaged rice, with year-over-year growth never seen before by the company.

Grant Lundberg has been the CEO of Lundberg Family Farms since 1998. He is the grandson of Albert and Frances Lundberg. They moved from Nebraska in 1937 after experiencing the ravaging effects of poor soil management during the dust bowl years.

I was able to speak with Grant about his experience, the importance of organic and what the future may hold. Continue reading “Grant Lundberg On Caring for Family, Customers and the Community During the Pandemic” →