Shalini Kantayya

Shalini Kantayya, a Brooklyn-based film director, examines water access, nutrition and agricultural issues affecting present and future generations.
Fresh Ideas BlogFrom the DigestPricelessThe videos are clear: if you want a healthier America, take action. Every child deserves the opportunity to eat food in school that ensures their health and well-being and Farm to School programs are one solution to incorporating healthier foods into school meals. By Debra Eschmeyer Nicole Betancourt Shalini Kantayya IATP Food and Society Fellows on Facebook |
Meet the FellowsShalini Kantayya![]() Shalini Kantayya, a Brooklyn-based film director, examines water access, nutrition and agricultural issues affecting present and future generations. Tags |
Fresh Ideas blogDeputy Secretary of Agriculture Takes IATP Food and Society Fellows' Videos on the RoadPosted Wed., March 10, 2010 at 4:10 pm by abigailaugusta Filed under: Child Nutrition, Child Nutrition Act, farm to school, Kathleen Merrigan, USDA
At the recent USDA Outlook Forum, IATP President Jim Harkness did a double take: "On the screen at the front of the hall was a 30-foot-tall image of the IATP Food and Society Fellows' Web site! Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan was at the podium preparing for her talk, and she wanted to download a video about the Child Nutrition Reauthorization Act that she knew we were involved in producing."
The Deputy Secretary, it turns out, is a fan of Lunch Encounters, a school lunch spoof of Close Encounters of the Third Kind, created by IATP Food and Society Fellows Shalini Kantayya, of 7th Empire Media, Nicole Betancourt, of Parent Earth, and Debra Eschmeyer, of National Farm to School Network. The goal of the video is to raise awareness of Farm to School for the upcoming reauthorization of federal child nutrition programs by depicting the cafeteria tray as the centerpiece for a reformed school food system that supports healthy children, local farms and smart schools.
The Deputy Secretary took the videos on the road for a recent standing-room-only lecture at The New School. (One Tray and the "Lunch Encounters" video are introduced at minute 39.) We are thrilled to have our Administration use the incredible work of the IATP Food and Society Fellows as an example of the united advocacy work happening around Farm to School and Child Nutrition Reauthorization. Please visit One Tray for information on how you can get involved in the effort to provide fresh, healthy food to all of our nation's children. Roger Doiron and Deborah Kane Among the 10 "Most Inspiring People in Sustainable Food"Posted Tue., March 9, 2010 at 10:37 am by mmuller Filed under: Awards, sustainable food If you had to pick ten of the most inspiring people in sustainable food, who would that be? Well, a best-selling author (Michael Pollan), an Oscar-nominated movie director (Robert Kenner) and a celebrity chef (Jamie Oliver) are all obvious choices. But who are you going to pick that has been really working on the ground and closing the loop between food production and consumption? I'm delighted to say that two fellows are included in Fast Company's list of inspiring people. Deborah Kane, vice president of Food and Farms at EcoTrust, spearheaded the creation of FoodHub, an online service that connects food buyers with the bounty of locally grown foods in the Pacific Northwest. And Roger Doiron, director of Kitchen Gardeners International, was included on the list for his incredible organizing effort to get a kitchen garden on the White House lawn. Deborah and Roger are developing on-the-ground systems and inspiring people to eat better, grow their own food, and advocate for better food and agriculture policies. Congratulations to both of them, as well as all of the IATP Food and Society Fellows who are inspiring change!
Supporting the Next Generation of FarmersPosted Fri., March 5, 2010 at 3:07 pm by abigailaugusta Filed under: USDA, young farmers
Farmers make up less than two percent of the U.S. population--a worrisome scenario as we increasingly face a world food crisis amidst climate change and dwindling oil reserves. According to Zoё Bradbury, "It's high time to turn the tide by buoying up a new generation of smart, savvy, sustainable farmers in America. But beginning farmers currently face enormous challenges: limited availability to good, affordable farmland; unsatisfactory access to credit; and lack of support withing the cultural mainstream." Zoё is one of the next generation of farmers working to turn the tide:
See this episode on kitchencaravan.com. Zoё also recently participated in a Washington, DC forum organized by the Drake University Agricultural Law School titled "America's New Farmers: Policy Innovations and Opportunities". The forum had a very strong Food and Society Fellows presence, with panels that included Zoё, Debra Eschmeyer, Curt Ellis and Ricardo Salvador. At the forum, Zoё described the financial challenges of becoming a farmer. When starting Valley Flora Farm three years ago, Zoё needed to borrow $10,000, in addition to the $10,000 she had saved, in order to to construct an irrigation system. Most banks weren't interested in providing agricultural loans, and she wasn't eligible for applicable USDA programs because she leased, rather than owned, the land. Like with many other new farmers, USDA programs didn't seem to be particularly well suited for her challenges. Zoё's story was covered by both the Washington Post and the Des Moines Register. Given the excellent media coverage, as well as the strong USDA presence at the forum, we can be hopeful that Zoё is plowing new ground that will provide more fertile opportunities for future new farmers. Finding the intersection of hope and action in CubaPosted Mon., March 1, 2010 at 4:48 pm by mmuller Filed under: Cuba Following a Kellogg Fellows Leadership Alliance meeting in Tulum, Mexico titled “Finding the Intersection of Hope and Action” we had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to tour food, health and agriculture systems in Cuba. Several Food and Society Fellows participated in the forum in Tulum, and ten fellows, with IATP’s Abby Rogosheske and myself, continued on for the Cuba trip. The themes of the forum were hope and action, and we found plenty of both in Cuba. It will take a long time before we can appropriately digest everything we saw and heard during the trip. Cuban society functions so much differently than other Latin American countries, let alone the United States. Some observations of interest:
The trip provided a fascinating glimpse into an economic and political structure foreign to most in the United States. We have already had some interesting discussions about the pluses and minuses of the Cuban approach. And perhaps most usefully, Cuba has created an 11-million-person experiment on how to manage food and health systems. As we prepare for a world with a changing climate, reduced fossil fuels and complex international relations, Cuba provides some examples of both what to do and what not to do. —Mark Muller Michelle Obama: “Our Kids Don't Decide What's Served To Them In The School Cafeteria”Posted Wed., February 24, 2010 at 5:31 pm by Eschmeyer Filed under: Child Nutrition, farm to school, school lunch
The first lady announced her Let’s Move child obesity campaign to the National Governor’s Association in DC on February 20th and for the first time publicly mentioned support of Farm to School:
“So let's move to get healthier food into our nation's schools, and that's the second part of this initiative. You know that when kids get the nutrition they need, they perform better in the classroom and they miss fewer days of school. So let's multiply that by 31 million, and we are talking about a serious impact on education in this country. This is no surprise as the CDC has singled out Farm to School as part of a community based solution to the obesity epidemic. The USDA Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack, emphasized the significance of support for Farm to School programs in the CNR recently, which the USDA has put a backbone to with a Farm to School Tactical Team working to link local farms to schools. Farm to School meals result in consumption of more fruits and vegetables with an average increase of one serving per day, and it appears to even encourage parents to serve more fruits and vegetables in meals at home. And for every dollar spent on local foods in schools, one to three dollars circulate in the local economy. Farm to School is a win-win solution just like Let’s Move. The Administration should continue working to move closer to a healthier generation by moving closer to what is on our children’s trays through programs such as Farm to School. Tasty Travel: Seven Tips To Explore Farmers’ Markets While On The RoadPosted Mon., February 8, 2010 at 2:00 am by Kivirist Filed under: farmer's market, travel Fellow Lisa Kivirist will be sharing perspectives from the California road this month, as she and her family trade their wintry Wisconsin farm scene for a few weeks of writing on the California coast, working on articles for Hobby Farm Home, Urban Farm and Green Options Media. Tasty Travel: Seven Tips To Explore Farmers’ Markets While On The RoadBy Lisa KiviristTalk about the trifecta of travel. Make farmers’ markets a priority on your travel agenda and you’ll save money (no admission fees), go green (most markets showcase seasonal, sustainable agriculture) and local (slap that cash directly in the farmer’s hand). As my husband, John, and I and our eight-year old son, Liam, trade Wisconsin winter on our farm for a few weeks working on writing projects on the California coast, indulging in the farmers’ market scene is the equivalent of a therapist’s couch for our frozen Midwestern souls. We see shiny happy people holding fresh spinach. The 20-degree below wind chill back home melts away as a far memory. You don’t have to escape parkas and snowplows to appreciate a farmer’s market while traveling. We seek out local markets year round wherever we may roam. According to USDA statistics, farmers’ markets grew in number by 13 percent between 2008 and 2009. Tanking economies may just be what folks need to connect back to their food roots, craving a better quality, authentic connection to what’s on one’s plate. Pack these seven tips the next time you travel to add some farmers’ market flavor and fare to your touring plans: 1. Determine a destination Thanks to increasing numbers of market and local food grassroots efforts, it’s usually quite easy to find farmers’ market schedule and logistical information on the web. LocalHarvest provides a national database of farmers’ markets as a starting point, but we also found lots of localized efforts like the San Diego Roots Sustainable Food Project that provide detailed listings specific to their communities. Another fortunate consequence of the flourishing market scene is expanding out of the Saturday morning schedule box. You’ll see more markets on weekdays. The weekday evening markets proffer a particularly jolly scene, as they are a social connection point for many who live in those local communities. No worries if you’re traveling outside the peak growing season: the thriving winter farmers’ market scene adds year-round opportunity for you to explore. Back on our Wisconsin home turf, the vibrant Dane County Farmers’ Market in Madison heads indoors during the winter months. While smaller in size, it features a tasty selection of “winter fare” such as cheeses, meats and preserved food. 2. Get there early Remember farm market stands operate on the opposite principle as a regular retail store: growers don’t want to end up with inventory at the end of the day. Tomatoes are not the same as toilet bowl cleaner that can sit on the shelf for years. Therefore get there early for the best offerings, and you also get to latch on to that fresh, positive energy and exuberance at the beginning of each market: the foodie equivalent of the first moments of Christmas morning. 3. Go hungry I confess that going to a farmers’ market hungry contradicts the recommended approach when heading to a supermarket: don’t shop hungry. You’re on holiday and taking in a new scene. Justify indulgences. You’re not stocking up the home kitchen, so let your taste buds be tempted. Savor the abundance of samples, wedges of freshly picked oranges, tomatoes or whatever and graze on the just-ripened perfection that is shared by farmers who love their livelihood. We hit the Wednesday evening market at Ocean Beach in San Diego ravenous, and the groovy California food scene filled us with both free samples offered by friendly farmers and tempting fresh offerings we could indulge in on site. From persimmons to pea pods chased with a bakers dozen of hot mini doughnuts, we satisfied both stomach and soul. 4. Bring supplies Realizing this intent to indulge and eat on the spot, come prepared. We always travel with our trusted “mess kit”: a set of lightweight plastic plates, bowls, cups and silverware for impromptu picnicking anytime, anyplace. Also don’t forget your cash, the currency of choice for the market scene. 5. Linger and people watch The market scene feels like you’re walking into a movie set, only this isn’t reality TV, it’s real. Surrounded by a cast of local characters, observe people and how they interact: the families, the spry senior, the multi-tasking twenty something. The Ocean Beach farmers’ market scene gifted us with a hefty dose of California creative culture at its finest, from street musicians harvesting tunes from a saw to chatty artists. 6. Connect and compliment With no need to stock up on the potatoes or parsnips like regular local shoppers, I freely dish out compliments to farmers, which spurs a serendipitous connection. An easy way to open up dialogue is share a comparison based on where you are from: “We can never grow beets this big back in Wisconsin.” This way you not only shoot out a kind word, but also open up the door for dialogue, depending on how busy the market scene is and how much time a farmer has to talk. Compliment a farmer on their display style. The folks from Morning Star Ranch at the Ocean Beach market created one of the most stunning displays I’ve ever scene, stringing homespun lanterns crated from upside down bushel baskets. 7. Bring home (non-perishable, non-liquid) treasures Keep your eyes peeled for some things you can bring home as gifts or for your own kitchen. I realize, unfortunately, in today’s airport scene with increased security traditional food gifts like jams and beverages are no longer realistic options. Think instead about dried foods like popcorn and dehydrated mixes. Next farmers’ market stop on our California tour: Santa Cruz. If the weather gods shine on us next week, hopefully we can savor some of the first strawberries of the season. Interviews with your Favorite Food Systems Experts on Food Sleuth RadioPosted Tue., February 2, 2010 at 3:26 pm by mmuller Filed under: Food Sleuth, radio interviews
As a kid, I remember hearing that one of my favorite bands was going to be interviewed on the radio, and so I would carefully set my tape recorder next to the radio speakers so that I could capture the important conversation for subsequent listening sessions.
I'm happy to say that technology has progressed since then. I can now hear interviews with some of my favorite food systems experts with just a few clicks on my computer thanks to the work of fellow Melinda Hemmelgarn, who is frequently referred to as the Food Sleuth. Food Sleuth Radio, which can be heard live on KOPN Radio in Columbia, Missouri, now has an extensive list of interviews available online. Interested in hearing Angie Tagtow talk about soil and human health, Debra Eschmeyer talk about farm to school? Or fellows Jennifer Wilkins, Zoe Bradbury, Curt Ellis, Lisa Kivirist, Rose Hayden-Smith, Jim Goodman, and T. Susan Chang talk about their areas of expertise? Interviews with all of these fellows and many others is now available. It should also be said that part of the joy of the interviews is to also gain the insight of Melinda, who is a registered dietitian and urges people to "think beyond their plates," and connect the dots between food, health and agriculture. Melinda wrote a weekly "Food Sleuth" column for 25 years and continues to serve as an investigative nutritionist. Check out the Food Sleuth! A Better Approach to Agricultural AssistancePosted Thu., January 28, 2010 at 4:39 pm by mmuller Filed under: ECHO, global agriculture, hunger, IAASTD Seeing the images of Haiti the past couple of weeks has reminded many of us that, despite the excessive supply of things in our society, much of the world and parts of the U.S. are still lacking for adequate food and other basic necessities. What role can we play to help alleviate these hardships? Several agribusiness companies brought attention to this issue over the past several months with plans for increasing yields over the next four decades. Research into new seed technologies and other aspects of technology transfer have a role to play in feeding a more populous and more resource-challenged world. But as the extensive agricultural assessment report prepared by over 400 scientists with the International Assessment of Agricultural Knowledge, Science and Technology for Development (IAASTD) points out, this type of research focused on increasing production is not sufficient for alleviating hunger and poverty. As is stated in the report summary:
(IATP Food and Society Fellows co-sponsored a presentation by IAASTD co-chair Dr. Hans Herren and several other experts on food security issues during last October's World Food Prize week in Des Moines) How do we diverge from business as usual, and not only provide agricultural development opportunities that ensure an adequate food supply, but also generate an economic return for the hundreds of millions of families that rely on food production as a source of income? Fellow Fred Bahnson’s latest article in the Christian Century describes research that can provide these multiple benefits at the ECHO Global Farm outside of Fort Myers, Florida. ECHO (Educational Concern for Hunger Organization), a nondenominational Christian organization, has spent the past 28 years training missionaries and development workers in small-scale sustainable agriculture for the tropics. Their mission is "to equip people with resources and skills to reduce hunger and improve the lives of the poor." The staff does not consider its role to be as teachers for poor farmers, but rather as providers of information for effectively growing food crops under harsh tropical conditions. One of Fred’s examples of ECHO’s innovative use of resources is a symbiotic duck/tilapia pond. As the photo shows, the duck cage is situated on top of a pond, which is used to raise tilapia. The ducks have free range during the day and return to the cage at night. Normally, a cage such as that would require regular cleaning to remove the litter. But with this innovation, the litter falls through a wire screen and provides a feast of nutrients for the pond’s algae. The algae are an excellent source of feed for the tilapia, thereby creating an ecologically sound and extremely productive use of resources. Can we feed the world with innovative duck cages, smoke-reducing cook stoves, rice hull-blowing bicycles, and the other impressive innovations of the ECHO staff and other adherents of small scale, appropriate agricultural technologies? In the decades since the Green Revolution, we’ve hardly given anything else a chance except for corporate-dominated, debt-inducing, monoculture production practices. Given the challenges that the developed countries have faced trying to achieve the hunger and poverty eradication targets of the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals, perhaps it is time to pay more attention to the work of organizations like ECHO. The Case for Food Policy Councils in Washington and BeyondPosted Tue., January 19, 2010 at 5:04 pm by abigailaugusta Filed under: food democracy, food policy council, policy Erin MacDougall, PhD, the Healthy Eating and Active Living Program Manager for Public Health in Seattle/King County and an IATP Food and Society Fellow makes the case for a Food Policy Council in Washington State in her recent blog post on Urban Farm Hub. Friends Don't Let Friends Exploit Farm LaborPosted Tue., January 19, 2010 at 6:57 am by mmuller Filed under: Chipotle, Coalition of Immokalee Workers, farm labor A wonderful blog posting recently appeared in Simple, Good and Tasty (SGT), a Web site dedicated to local, sustainable and organic foods in the Twin Cities. The author, Shari Danielson, describes the recent news about Chipotle's unwillingness to negotiate with the Coalition of Immokalee Workers to improve the treatment of Florida tomato workers. She describes how much she appreciates Chipotle's food, hiring practices, and corporate philosophy. Chipotle is like a friend, and that friend is doing something very wrong and out of character.
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