BlogHer - What would you ask activist Anna Lappe? Food, health, hunger and the environment are all on her agenda. - Comments

Thanks Belinda

Elisa Camahort — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 21:02:56 -0500

I think those are great questions. Most people do not live in big cities, so access to all this good stuff we're supposed to eat is critical!

Elisa Camahort
BlogHer
elisa@blogher.org

We're trying hard to get "off the grid"

ninjapoodles — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 20:49:56 -0500

of factory farming and agribusiness as much as possible, by learning to grow and preserve half of our own food this year (and if it goes well, maybe more next year), but since we do eat meat (granted, we're moving toward ONLY eating meat that we raise or hunt ourselves--and when I say "we" hunt, I mean my husband hunts), I don't imagine there would be a lot I could ask (or feel comfortable asking, anyway).

If there are tips about finding locally-grown produce, that would be helpful. People assume that if you live out in the country, there are just farm stands all over the place, and fresh produce is in abundance, but that just isn't the case. We only have large chain groceries and big-box stores--there are no greengrocers like you see in urban areas. Finding a clean source of grain is especially challenging to me. I don't at all mind grinding my own flour, but where to find the grain is always an issue.

Belinda

Any more questions? Omnivores, are you out there?

Elisa Camahort — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 12:39:45 -0500

I'm sure some of you non-vegans out there want to ask her questions about how to most ethically and environmentally shop, cook and eat if you're not quite ready for a plant-based diet, right?

I hereby promise to ask those questions in a completely objective reporter-like way!

Elisa Camahort
BlogHer
elisa@blogher.org

Good question!

Elisa Camahort — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 18:08:44 -0500

Thanks Virginia...I also think it's a good question to ask about what matters more: Food production or food distribution?

Elisa Camahort
BlogHer
elisa@blogher.org

Food and carbon footprints

Virginia DeBolt — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 16:21:32 -0500

My understanding is that it's really difficult to determine a carbon footprint for different foods because it depends on so many factors: water, fertilizer, transportation, packaging, location, and other factors.

Do you think we will ever be able to develop a way of knowing for sure which foods are really better for the planet?

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What would you ask activist Anna Lappe? Food, health, hunger and the environment are all on her agenda.

Elisa Camahort — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 08:57:52 -0500

I became a vegetarian almost 20 years ago, and when I did Diet For a Small Planet by Frances Moore Lappé was one of those bibles you kept by your side. It wasn't just inspiring, but a practical guide to leading a healthy vegetarian lifestyle.

Decades later Moore's daughter, author and activist Anna Lappé, carries on this tradition of activism that is both inspiring and dedicated to helping people make a difference via personal action. I'm thrilled to be conducting an exclusive podcast interview with Anna next week as part of our ongoing Earth Day is Every Day coverage this month. Our interview with Anna will coincide with a launch of an entirely new project that I'm also going to ask her about, and I'm also going to ask Anna about these three main goals in her work:

1. Illuminating the connection between food production and climate changeHere's a brief quote from a recent Op-Ed Anna wrote:

"With climate scientists warning we need an 80 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 to avert planetary catastrophe, it's clear we need bold action -- and that bold action must include re-thinking food. Here's the good news: We already know how to build a climate-friendly food system. "

2. Demystifying healthy food and eating

She's willing to tackle those nagging issues: Do you have to be rich and have all the time in the world to really eat healthy?

3. Providing tangible resources encourage and green and healthy food movement

One of Anna's latest endeavors is to create practical How-To videos for Howdini and Healthy Living videos for MSN's healthy living channel.Here's an example of one of her Howdini videos: How To Tell If Packaged Food Is Organic.

Now, I may be excited about this interview as a veg*n who appreciates Anna's encouragement of a "plant-centered diet", but actually she "encourages all self-identified food identities" and works to make sure we all know how to eat more healthfully for ourselves and our planet.

So, what would you ask Anna...how can she help you shop, cook and eat the way you want to?