Politics Of Food : An Interview with Bizymoms Top Blogger 2010 Recipients Kerry Trueman

1) Why did you start your blog?

I first began blogging about food and gardening for a website dedicated to “healthy living,” but the more I learned about all of the problems of our food chain, the more I felt the need to speak out about those issues without being censored by an editor who was fearful of being too controversial. So together with my tech genius husband Matthew Rosenberg (who is also an awesome cook), I started “Eating Liberally.” We are part of a progressive social network called Living Liberally.

2) What makes your blog different from other food related blogs?

We approach the subject of food from an ecological perspective; Eating Liberally’s motto is “Free Yourself From The Fossil Fuel Food Chain.” We have been trying for years to educate folks about the many ways that our food choices affect the world around us, so it’s really gratifying to see so many people becoming more thoughtful about what they eat.

3) Why are you so interested in the politics of food?

I believe that everyone should have access to safe, fresh, wholesome foods. As my fellow food activists often note, there is not a shortage of food in this world; rather, there is a shortage of democracy.

Here in the US, we actually produce enough food to provide every man, woman and child with about 3,900 calories daily. That’s nearly twice as many calories as most of us need. And yet millions of folks still go hungry. The problem is poverty, not food production.

4) What kind of an impact does food have on politics?

Oh, that’s a great question! I think of our current system of government as a “cornarchy,” because our agricultural policies are essentially dictated by the corporations who profit from commodity crops like the feed corn that’s used to make high fructose corn syrup, grain for factory farmed livestock, and all kinds of nutritionally bankrupt processed foods.

The USDA is supposed to encourage us all to eat our fruits and veggies, but it also promotes the interests of American agribiz, which makes a fortune selling us the cheap, unhealthy convenience foods that have led to an epidemic of diet-related disease (as well as environmental degradation). So our tax dollars go to subsidize the junk food that’s killing us while the USDA marginalizes fruits and vegetables as “specialty crops” whose growers receive little or no assistance. It’s a completely schizophrenic agency.

5) What type of work do you do in the field of food politics?

I raise awareness of these issues through blogging and hosting events, and serve on the food policy steering committee of the Manhattan Borough President, Scott Stringer, who is passionate about transforming New York City’s food system. It still amazes me that grassroots activists like myself can actually influence politicians and others who are in a position to do something about these issues. If you want to get involved, never doubt that you have the power to have an impact. I have seen firsthand that you can.

I’m also on the communications committee of the Food Systems Network NYC, a non-profit coalition of folks working to provide healthier food for everyone and greater support for our local farmers. FSNYC has connected me with so many amazing mentors and colleagues, and all through a random conversation at the farmers’ market a few years back that led me to attend a FSNYC meeting out of curiosity! Have you ever made any life-changing connections while shopping at the supermarket, or a big box store? Interaction with other people is one of the great joys and bonuses of buying your food directly from the folks who grow it, if you are fortunate enough to have that option.

6) What type of impact does food have on climate change?

You would be amazed at all the ways that food production and consumption affect global warming. A lot of folks are familiar with the concept of food miles, i.e. the distance that food travels to get to your plate, but there are so many other factors that go into figuring out your carbon “foodprint:” the excess packaging that goes into our convenience foods; the deforestation caused by industrial agriculture; the methane generated by all the food we throw away that goes to the landfill to rot instead of being composted and converted to a nutrient-rich soil amendment, and so on.

But the single greatest source of greenhouse gas emissions in our food chain is industrialized livestock production, which is incredibly fossil-fuel intensive. So if you want to eat in a more ecologically friendly fashion, the most significant change you can make is to cut back on your consumption of animal products.

That’s why I am an enthusiastic supporter of (and contributor to) the Meatless Monday campaign. You don’t need to become a vegetarian or vegan to make a difference; just let whole grains, fruits and vegetables play a bigger role in your diet and you will be doing yourself and the planet a favor.

7) What type of food eating philosophy do you follow?

I call myself a “retrovore,” which means that I prefer to eat whole, unadulterated foods that my grandparents would recognize—as opposed to all the packaged, processed, genetically modified gobbledy-gook in the supermarkets. I support the locavore goal of getting as much of my food as close to home as possible, but I’m not ready to give up things like avocados, lemons, chocolate, tea, or any number of the other wonderful foods that can’t be produced in my own region. And I don’t think people in hotter regions should have to give up blueberries and maple syrup! But I do support the notion of eating seasonally. I’m happy to wait for the asparagus from my local farmers in spring; I can live without asparagus from Peru or China in the winter.

When you cook with the freshest, best tasting produce and other high quality ingredients, you don’t need to do anything fancy or complicated to make it taste great. And there’s a place for ice cream, pizza, French fries or other indulgences in a healthy diet, as long as they are made with good ingredients, you don’t pig out, and you don’t make them the cornerstone of your diet. Oh, and get out of the house and go for a walk, a hike, or a bike ride!

8) What advice can you offer our readers on how to be an ‘engaged eater?’

The problem for most of us is that unhealthy food is the default in our culture. A salad should not cost more than a burger. Fresh produce should not be a luxury. Food companies should not target our children and influence them to nag their moms and dads to purchase sugary, salty, fatty junk foods. If all we are given are lousy, unhealthy options, where is the true freedom of choice?

I want to say to all you mothers—and fathers—who understand the importance of nourishing our children, encouraging them to be physically active, and reconnecting them with the natural world, please get involved!

Let your school officials know that you want your kids to have healthier choices; get your kids excited about cooking and gardening. We are all super busy these days and it’s a challenge to find the time to do these things, but knowing how to prepare quick, simple, healthy meals is one of the greatest gifts you can give your kids—and yourself. And learning how to grow some of your own food is one of the most gratifying hobbies around.

9) What happens at an ‘Eating Liberally’ event? How can one of our readers organize such an event in their neighborhood?

The NYC chapter of Eating Liberally brings folks together around a variety of activities: book parties for authors; screenings of relevant films; talks with farmers; potlucks, and so on. Other chapters meet regularly at a chosen café or restaurant just to socialize with like-minded folks in a convivial setting. The common thread to all these events is, of course, tasty, sustainably produced, lovingly prepared food! You can learn more about our organization at eatingliberally.org.