Eat Food. Not Too Much. Mostly Plants.

What a refreshing “eater’s manifesto” coming from Michael Pollan’s new book, In Defense of Food. He is in NYC this week promoting this newest book of his, and last night he spoke at a Just Food event in a beautiful loft in the Flatiron district. After being asked a million times (ok I made that up, but I bet it’s almost true) about what to eat after writing Omnivore’s Dilemma, he wrote In Defense of Food to answer that question. With simple suggestions such as not eating things that your Grandmother wouldn’t recognize as food, he is trying to save us from our over-thought “nutrient-by-nutrient” approach to diet.

Last night Pollan spoke about his own eating habits (not perfect!) and the lawn that he just tore out to grow vegetables. His veggies were so plentiful this year that he had to cancel his CSA. Pollan also addressed the very serious issues of the farm bill and the industrial food industry- and when answering a question about how we (the non-profits and individuals) can compete against these large forces, he said that sometimes we have to step around them and keep doing what we are doing. Jacquie Berger, the Executive Director of Just Food and our host last night, was happy to hear that comment- as that is what Just Food and many other organizations are doing. Teaching people about food, helping them to make healthy choices, and in the end- voting with their fork. Voting with our forks is the best way to change our system and Just Food, Sustainable Table, Michael Pollan and so many other organizations, individuals and family farmers are working to do just that!