A Plan to Add Supermarkets to Poor Areas, With Healthy Results

Wednesday, October 21st, 2009

We’re back in New York City again today with a good news story about the Bloomberg Administration’s efforts to bring supermarkets to poor neighborhoods around the city.

The New York Times reports, “Under a proposal the City Planning Commission unanimously approved on Wednesday, the city would offer zoning and tax incentives to spur the development of full-service grocery stores that devote a certain amount of space to fresh produce, meats, dairy and other perishables.”

This seems to be a fantastic solution to the city’s previously restrictive regulations on how big a store could be. Those regulations kept grocery stores out of certain areas because they couldn’t make a profit with such minimal square footage. It’s easy for Dwayne Reade to open a small store because they make plenty of money on prescription drugs, but the profit on produce isn’t quite as attractive. (more…)

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Childhood Obesity = Child Abuse?

Saturday, August 8th, 2009

A South Carolina mother named Jerri Gray was recently arrested and charged with criminal neglect when her son reached 555 pounds at 14 years old.

I generally tend to agree with Ron Jones, who is quoted in the story as saying, “If you gave your child a drug, you’d be held in the court. But if you kill them with food, that seems to be acceptable.” However, I would like to know the person’s income level before I jump fully on board with the prosecution.

Obesity statistics fall largely along economic lines. Poor people tend to be heavier because they can only afford to eat processed garbage. If the government would stop subsidizing junk food, it would help to stop this problem, but that is going to take time.

It also strikes me that this woman is an African American living in South Carolina. I’m curious to know if they would ever think to arrest a white woman in their town for the same alleged crime.

So, while it’s certainly time to get people to take responsibility for what they feed their children, it seems to me that this will create a precedent that could bring further injustice to the poor.

Here is the USA Today story, what are your thoughts?

Tags: Target: Children
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Food As A National Security Issue

Tuesday, October 21st, 2008

Following up on his open letter to the next President, Terry Gross had Michael Pollan on Fresh Air today to discuss American food policy.

As is usually the case on Fresh Air, it’s an extremely engaging 40 minute discussion. Pollan highlights the problem with farm subsidies, agribusiness, and the amount of fossil fuels our current food system uses; just to name a few.

I strongly encourage you to take the time and listen now.

Tags: Required Reading
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