Weekend Links 9/14

A lot of food news from this week continues to circle the Stanford Study on purchasing organic food, but I thought this week we would take a break from all the debate and look at what else is happening in the food world.

Yesterday, the New York City Board of Health banned the sale of sweetened drinks over 16 ounces as a step towards improving obesity rates. The ban will begin on March 12, but I’m sure much debate will take place until that point regarding what this decision means for public opinion or small businesses.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/14/nyregion/health-board-approves-bloombergs-soda-ban.html?_r=1

And here’s a video that gives a simplified visual explanation on what the ban means (and the few loopholes the ban presents):

http://video.nytimes.com/video/2012/09/09/opinion/100000001768095/soda-ban-explained.html

Miami is using the demand for local, organic produce at upscale restaurants to benefit the community in other ways. Verde Gardens offers a place to stay and a garden apprenticeship for pay for the formerly homeless.  Workers rotate around different areas of the 22-acre organic farm, where their harvest is then sold to restaurants around the area. Not only does Verde Gardens provide a community for the homeless, but also fosters a connection between the gardens and the local food community.

Here is a fun slideshow of old posters, dating back to the world wars, on conserving food:

http://www.treehugger.com/slideshows/green-food/its-time-do-something-about-food-waste/

Happy Weekend!