Comments on: Where Are The Conservatives in Local Foods? http://www.sustainabletable.org/2009/07/where-are-the-conservatives-in-local-foods/ Sustainable Table Mon, 14 Jun 2010 16:02:21 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Kelly http://www.sustainabletable.org/2009/07/where-are-the-conservatives-in-local-foods/#comment-268975 Kelly Sat, 05 Sep 2009 04:28:30 +0000 http://www.sustainabletable.org/?p=3419#comment-268975 I'm a limited government conservative and an advocate of small business and sustainable, local food. We do exist out here! I was happy to read your article and know that I am not alone. Actually I am looking for an internship next summer for my graduate studies. Do you or does anyone else have any suggestions? Thank you-- I’m a limited government conservative and an advocate of small business and sustainable, local food. We do exist out here! I was happy to read your article and know that I am not alone. Actually I am looking for an internship next summer for my graduate studies.

Do you or does anyone else have any suggestions?

Thank you–

]]> By: Robert Lombardi http://www.sustainabletable.org/2009/07/where-are-the-conservatives-in-local-foods/#comment-268661 Robert Lombardi Fri, 24 Jul 2009 21:14:07 +0000 http://www.sustainabletable.org/?p=3419#comment-268661 I'm a Christian and a conservative. My meat comes from Morris Grassfed Beef, veggies from Live Earth Farm CSA, Eggs from Jim Dunlop at TLC Ranch, Coffee from Fair Trade Barefoot Coffee Roasters and my milk is approved by the Cornucopia Institute. I tend to my own veggie garden at the local community garden, work in high tech, grow herbs in our backyard, and turn the compost pile all before an evening of family time, which consists of worship and devotions around the Bible and episodes of "So You Think You Can Dance." :) I know other Christians that are interested in similar things, though not doing everything that I'm doing. But I do see more of us getting interested in it. I've built up my habits over years, and spent a lot of time learning and now it's really paying off because it all kinda just seems like normal living and I love it. And now I can also share my experience with my friends and encourage them to do the same. P.S. My compost pile is at 150 degrees right now. ;) I’m a Christian and a conservative. My meat comes from Morris Grassfed Beef, veggies from Live Earth Farm CSA, Eggs from Jim Dunlop at TLC Ranch, Coffee from Fair Trade Barefoot Coffee Roasters and my milk is approved by the Cornucopia Institute. I tend to my own veggie garden at the local community garden, work in high tech, grow herbs in our backyard, and turn the compost pile all before an evening of family time, which consists of worship and devotions around the Bible and episodes of “So You Think You Can Dance.” :)

I know other Christians that are interested in similar things, though not doing everything that I’m doing. But I do see more of us getting interested in it. I’ve built up my habits over years, and spent a lot of time learning and now it’s really paying off because it all kinda just seems like normal living and I love it. And now I can also share my experience with my friends and encourage them to do the same.

P.S. My compost pile is at 150 degrees right now. ;)

]]> By: joe http://www.sustainabletable.org/2009/07/where-are-the-conservatives-in-local-foods/#comment-268625 joe Mon, 20 Jul 2009 18:57:00 +0000 http://www.sustainabletable.org/?p=3419#comment-268625 Dreher mentions how agribusiness has gamed the system in meat production, but in collusion with the USDA and lobbying groups like the Organic Trade Association, "big organic" has gamed the organic label. There may be a conservative faction in the slow food movement but as Jeffrey Toobin pointed out in the New Yorker (May 25, 2009) the real power in the conservative movement will always side with established power over the individual, and this is the face of conservatism that the sustainable foods movement will have to deal with. Dreher mentions how agribusiness has gamed the system in meat production, but in collusion with the USDA and lobbying groups like the Organic Trade Association, “big organic” has gamed the organic label. There may be a conservative faction in the slow food movement but as Jeffrey Toobin pointed out in the New Yorker (May 25, 2009) the real power in the conservative movement will always side with established power over the individual, and this is the face of conservatism that the sustainable foods movement will have to deal with.

]]> By: Elaine http://www.sustainabletable.org/2009/07/where-are-the-conservatives-in-local-foods/#comment-268603 Elaine Wed, 15 Jul 2009 14:43:02 +0000 http://www.sustainabletable.org/?p=3419#comment-268603 I am also very happy to see this conversation. I am a conservative/libertarian who believes in limited government. The farm bill is monstrosity of regulation and is a major cause of our health care crisis. It drove me crazy to hear Repulicans criticizing Obama for eating arugula. I can think of nothing better for him to be eating. Should he be eating Cheetos like the rest of America? We should all be eating arugula. It is wrong to associate real food with snobbery. The average American should be outraged that they are practically forced by our farm subsidies to consume cheap processed foods. The farm subsidies must stop and meanwhile, Americans must take some responsiblity for what has happened. Those of us who can truly afford it (and if we're honest with ourselves many us of of can) must stop buying processed packaged foods. The movement has already starting. Farmer's markets are growing rapidly. Most grocery stores sell organics. Walmart now sells organics. (I realize that "big organic" can be a controversial issue - but its a step in the right direction). Corporations have all the power ONLY if we continue to buy their products. We don't need a soda tax, we need simple supply and demand. I believe that we are on our way.... I am also very happy to see this conversation. I am a conservative/libertarian who believes in limited government. The farm bill is monstrosity of regulation and is a major cause of our health care crisis. It drove me crazy to hear Repulicans criticizing Obama for eating arugula. I can think of nothing better for him to be eating. Should he be eating Cheetos like the rest of America? We should all be eating arugula. It is wrong to associate real food with snobbery. The average American should be outraged that they are practically forced by our farm subsidies to consume cheap processed foods. The farm subsidies must stop and meanwhile, Americans must take some responsiblity for what has happened. Those of us who can truly afford it (and if we’re honest with ourselves many us of of can) must stop buying processed packaged foods. The movement has already starting. Farmer’s markets are growing rapidly. Most grocery stores sell organics. Walmart now sells organics. (I realize that “big organic” can be a controversial issue – but its a step in the right direction). Corporations have all the power ONLY if we continue to buy their products. We don’t need a soda tax, we need simple supply and demand. I believe that we are on our way….

]]> By: Noelle http://www.sustainabletable.org/2009/07/where-are-the-conservatives-in-local-foods/#comment-268602 Noelle Wed, 15 Jul 2009 14:26:37 +0000 http://www.sustainabletable.org/?p=3419#comment-268602 These are some great points. Our leaders, both conservative and liberal, have failed us by consistently siding with corporate lobbyists (and corporte $$) instead of focusing on what is best for the citizens of this country. We should all join together to change this broken part of our government. After all, buying local, natural food and products benefits everyone - no matter what political views we hold. These are some great points. Our leaders, both conservative and liberal, have failed us by consistently siding with corporate lobbyists (and corporte $$) instead of focusing on what is best for the citizens of this country. We should all join together to change this broken part of our government. After all, buying local, natural food and products benefits everyone – no matter what political views we hold.

]]> By: Robin http://www.sustainabletable.org/2009/07/where-are-the-conservatives-in-local-foods/#comment-268575 Robin Sat, 11 Jul 2009 04:55:41 +0000 http://www.sustainabletable.org/?p=3419#comment-268575 What a breath of fresh air this is! I am a conservative, and a big supporter of local, sustainable produce and artisans. In fact, I've based my catering business model around it! We need to continue to educate the people around us, to help them understand the benefits of buying local. Most of America falsely assumes that the lettuce and milk they buy in their supermarket came from a beautiful farm with rolling green hills and "happy cows" who frolick in the sun. If they only knew! I feel hopeful that we will see a day where the masses know what we know, but that means we have to be the voice. I don't understand why the local, sustainable movement has become such a partisan issue. Forget the politics, let's just work together to protect our local farmers and keep locally grown food on our tables. Thanks Zach, for a great piece! Robin What a breath of fresh air this is! I am a conservative, and a big supporter of local, sustainable produce and artisans. In fact, I’ve based my catering business model around it! We need to continue to educate the people around us, to help them understand the benefits of buying local. Most of America falsely assumes that the lettuce and milk they buy in their supermarket came from a beautiful farm with rolling green hills and “happy cows” who frolick in the sun. If they only knew! I feel hopeful that we will see a day where the masses know what we know, but that means we have to be the voice.

I don’t understand why the local, sustainable movement has become such a partisan issue. Forget the politics, let’s just work together to protect our local farmers and keep locally grown food on our tables.

Thanks Zach, for a great piece!

Robin

]]> By: Zachary Adam Cohen http://www.sustainabletable.org/2009/07/where-are-the-conservatives-in-local-foods/#comment-268574 Zachary Adam Cohen Fri, 10 Jul 2009 20:30:54 +0000 http://www.sustainabletable.org/?p=3419#comment-268574 Brett I agree that no political party has a strangehold on conservatism. Of course, one will find more true conservatives within the ranks of Republicans, but many conservatives are NOT ok with the behavior of the republican party. That being said, there are many libertarians and democrats who have conservative sympathies. I agree also with you that food independence is truly important and one of the hardest forms of freedom there is to achieve. When we look at how influential a few major corporations are in American food we realize very quickly how much choice has been taken away from us, replaced with a veneer of choice. We think we can have almost everything, but in effect, we have almost nothing. Brett

I agree that no political party has a strangehold on conservatism. Of course, one will find more true conservatives within the ranks of Republicans, but many conservatives are NOT ok with the behavior of the republican party. That being said, there are many libertarians and democrats who have conservative sympathies.

I agree also with you that food independence is truly important and one of the hardest forms of freedom there is to achieve. When we look at how influential a few major corporations are in American food we realize very quickly how much choice has been taken away from us, replaced with a veneer of choice. We think we can have almost everything, but in effect, we have almost nothing.

]]> By: Brett Henderson http://www.sustainabletable.org/2009/07/where-are-the-conservatives-in-local-foods/#comment-268567 Brett Henderson Fri, 10 Jul 2009 15:36:34 +0000 http://www.sustainabletable.org/?p=3419#comment-268567 Great perceptive understanding of true concervitism. Conseritisim is neither republican or democrat & and in our present political structure concervitives appear to be represented by none. I as a concervitive will continue to support the values of small Ag and indipendent farmers. Too many seem enamoured by the directions and instruction of mega-corporations who are controling our food supply. If you don't have food indipendence, you can't have freedom. Great perceptive understanding of true concervitism. Conseritisim is neither republican or democrat & and in our present political structure concervitives appear to be represented by none. I as a concervitive will continue to support the values of small Ag and indipendent farmers. Too many seem enamoured by the directions and instruction of mega-corporations who are controling our food supply. If you don’t have food indipendence, you can’t have freedom.

]]> By: J Fowler http://www.sustainabletable.org/2009/07/where-are-the-conservatives-in-local-foods/#comment-268566 J Fowler Fri, 10 Jul 2009 15:16:19 +0000 http://www.sustainabletable.org/?p=3419#comment-268566 Brilliant post! We're rallying the troops. It's time for Christians and Conservatives to stand with the sustainable food movement. Brilliant post! We’re rallying the troops. It’s time for Christians and Conservatives to stand with the sustainable food movement.

]]> By: Zachary Adam Cohen http://www.sustainabletable.org/2009/07/where-are-the-conservatives-in-local-foods/#comment-268565 Zachary Adam Cohen Fri, 10 Jul 2009 15:09:00 +0000 http://www.sustainabletable.org/?p=3419#comment-268565 Thanks guy for picking this one up! Awesome. I;ve just messaged my facebook group so hopefully there will be some good traffic, and the response has been so overwhelming that I will have to beging thinking about follow up posts. Z Thanks guy for picking this one up!
Awesome. I;ve just messaged my facebook group so hopefully there will be some good traffic, and the response has been so overwhelming that I will have to beging thinking about follow up posts.

Z

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