It’s been quite a week for US poultry. On Monday, 25 US Senators ranging across the ideological spectrum from Al Franken to Orrin Hatch, united to urge President Obama to use his meeting this Thursday with President Medvedev to negotiate an end to Russia’s ban on imports of US chicken. On Tuesday the USDA issued proposed rules to clarify the meaning of "unfair business practices" under the almost 90-year-old federal Packers and Stockyards (P&S) Act with the goal of reliving some of the abuses found in the poultry and livestock industries.
Nobody likes a massive outbreak of foodborne illness. On the upside, when 1,500 consumers are sickened by Salmonella and industrial processors are forced to recall more than half a billion eggs, people start to pay a bit more attention to how these things are being produced.
Since regulatory agencies are often unable and/or unwilling to provide this information, Food & Water Watch used the USDA’s Census of Agriculture to calculate the number of mega-livestock facilities in each county, providing an outstanding visual representation of national and state distribution trends.
As Program Director for Animal Welfare Approved, Andrew Gunther leads a fascinating and vital program that centers around auditing and certifying family farms that raise their animals humanely.
Perhaps best known as the chicken farmer from Food, Inc., Carole Morison is a long-time poultry producer, sustainable agriculture activist and outspoken critic of the industrial food system. Here, she discusses her transition from industrial producer to sustainable farmer.
Should the poultry industry be responsible for policing itself? The presence of banned antibiotics in the Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future/Arizona State University feather meal study released last week would seem to suggest not.
Industrial livestock facilities compromise the health and welfare of the animals they confine. Find out what they do wrong - and what you can do about it.
You'll find most of what you need for sustainable grilling at your local farmers market: grass-fed meat and locally grown, preferably organic, vegetables and fruits. Although "sustainable grilling" sometimes refers to what fuels the grill - charcoal, gas, or even solar power - here we're interested in what’s cooking on it.
Unlike sustainable farmers who raise animals on pasture, industrial livestock producers rely on grain-based feed, which often includes many unsavory additives. Learn how this affects animals and humans.
Thanksgiving is a time for family and friends to come together and give thanks. It’s the most celebrated (and most heavily traveled!) time of the year. Thanksgiving is a time to share, to give, and to be grateful for all that we have. It’s also a time to eat. The centerpiece of most Thanksgiving dinners is a turkey, surrounded by home cooked, delicious vegetables, dressings, condiments and pies. In the spirit of the holiday, we've brought you a selection of our favorite recipes, as well as some information on the food that you'll be eating. We've also included links to other sites.
Traditionally, farmers throughout the world raised thousands of different animal breeds and plant varieties. Though industrial farms now rely on only a few types of livestock and crops, traditional heritage breeds and heirloom varieties are still used by sustainable farmers.
Learn how sustainable farms raise healthy animals using practices that benefit the environment and bolster local economies.
You want to eat better but all those labels are so confusing - what can you do? Carry this handy glossary when you shop to find the best food for you and your family.
Asking questions is the best way to ensure that you're purchasing sustainably raised, healthy foods, and supporting sustainable farmers. Here are some questions to get you started.
Also known as factory farms, industrial livestock operations produce the majority of US meat, eggs, and dairy products. Find out why they're awful.
A landmark trial opens today in Baltimore’s Federal District Court, where Waterkeeper Alliance has filed suit against Perdue Farms, and a pair of the company’s farmer contractors, Alan and Kristin Hudson, for polluting the Chesapeake Bay with chicken manure.
