June 17, 2010

These two luminaries of the food movement were in town to speak at a gathering of co-op purchasers. Wherever they travel to speak Frances and Anna want to see the progress of the local food movement. Today they toured Co-op Partners Warehouse and Gardens of Eagan organic farm. Between tours they stopped by the Wedge for lunch with members of our staff. We were thrilled to have the chance to converse with them and hear about their next projects.

Frances Moore Lappé is one of the Founding Mothers of the food movement. Her 1971 Diet for a Small Planet was an early milestone, bringing attention to the way dietary choices impact the world. She is a co-founder of the Institute for Food and Development Policy, commonly called Food First.

Her daughter, Anna, recently released Diet for a Hot Planet, building on what both she and her mother have learned about food production since the first book was published. This is a well-researched book with an amazing amount of information about the relationship of food to climate and global health. There are few surprises here for Wedge members. Anna promotes a diet of organic, local foods with an emphasis on eating real, less processed food, more gardening and home-cooking, more local and organic fruits, vegetables, grains and beans. She champions grass-fed and organic meat and dairy products for those who choose to eat them, and encourages us to reduce our packaging use. This may be the book to give your doubtful relatives at the holidays this year.