by Sarah Irani
Spinach, tomatoes, and now green onions?
Americans are looking to more regulation to keep our food supply safe rather than admit that industrial agriculture is very deeply flawed. According to this article from the Washington Post, "The patchwork of federal and state regulations that is supposed to ensure food safety has become less effective as the nation's produce supply has grown increasingly industrial [emphasis added]. Three months after the spinach scare, there is no agreement on what should be done to reduce health risks from the nation's fruits and vegetables even as each episode of illness has heightened a sense of urgency."
I'll offer a few suggestions: Gradually break apart the industrial agriculture system and return the farmland to small, sustainable family farms. Support your local farmer. Offer farmers living wages. Down with big box food chains. Stop with the shoving of grain down the throats of ruminants.
There, at least we have a place to start.
