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Fresh! The Movie

Six cases of E.coli contamination have been reported in a Washington State county this week. The town of Smithfield, North Carolina was also struck with E.coli when routine water testing revealed traces of the bacteria. And, four public beaches in Missouri will be closed this weekend after levels of E.coli were found to be too high in the water. As if that weren’t enough, a Salmonella outbreak at a country club in Illinois has caused illness in nearly 30 people, and affected more than 50. Stories such as this do not seem to garner much attention these days, as we seem to have gotten used to routine contamination of our food and water by dangerous bacteria and microorganisms like Salmonella and E-coli. But such outbreaks are clearly a symptom of our national food production system that rewards factory farming and vast monocultures, resulting in produce soaked in pesticides and chemical fertilizers over diverse, small-scale, pesticide-free farming that was a staple of decades past. Standard meat production relies on squeezing farm animals into such confined spaces that it is routine to administer antibiotics against the inevitable diseases that arise. It seems as though the family farmer is a dying breed. Or is it?

A growing awareness among the public and farmers about the benefits of small-scale, local, family-farming, has helped foster a revival of a bygone era in food production. A brand new documentary called simply Fresh, profiles family farmers who have braved the pressures of investing in pesticides and factory farms and have instead chosen to grow clean food in harmony with natural ecosystems instead of being at war with nature. Fresh features Michael Pollan, the acclaimed author of Omnivore’s Dilemma, In Defense of Food: An Eater’s Manifesto, and Food Rules. It also profiles nationally recognized urban farmer Will Allen, and Good Natured Family Farms based in Kansas. The film offers a clear path toward healthy, clean food that’s good for the planet, good for workers, good for animals, and good for consumers.

Find out more about the film at www.freshthemovie.com.

Please patronize our local partners and thank them for supporting KPFK:

• Intelligensia Coffee, a “direct trade” coffee roaster that travels around the world and meets all of their coffee farmers in person, and buy the beans directly from them. More info at www.intelligentsiacoffee.com. Locations in Southern California: 1331 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, CA 90291 & 3922 W Sunset Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90029

• Press Restaurant in Claremont, 129 Harvard Avenue in Claremont Village. Great food, full bar, and live music! Comfortable atmosphere, perfect for a summer night out. More info at www.thepressrestaurant.com or (909) 625 4808.

• Sweet Lady Jane Bakery and Café, 8360 Melrose Avenue, LA, 90069. Bakery offering triple berry shortcake, cakes, pies, baked goods, custom and wedding cakes. Serves limited lunch and brunch. The internationally-renowned Zagat Guide calls Jane’s cakes “works of art,” her pastries “heavenly,” her sandwiches “yummy,” and says that Sweet Lady Jane is “the best place in town for dessert.” More info at www.sweetladyjane.com or 323-653-7145.

• Euro Pane Bakery, 950 E. Colorado Blvd. Pasadena, Ca 91106. Delicious sandwiches, freshly baked bread, and dessert (and one of Sonali’s favorite places to eat!). More information at (626) 577-1828 or http://www.yelp.com/biz/euro-pane-bakery-pasadena

• Zephyr Vegetarian Cafe, 340 E 4th St., Long Beach, CA 90802. Delicious Dishes made with seasonal fruits and vegetables, all vegetarian, and vegan deserts, a very popular restaurant in downtown Long Beach. More information at (562) 435-7113 or at http://www.yelp.com/biz/zephyr-vegetarian-cafe-long-beach

• Carol Henry, local artist, whose tote bags feature her original art. 100% unbleached cotton, featuring a pink water lily detail one side and a green orchid on the other, with the Carol Henry Studio logo. More info at www.carolhenrygallery.com. See her other merchandise and artwork, including her series of life-sized paintings of President Obama, on her website.