According to a World Health Organization study, an entry of which appears on Encyclopedia Britannica, in the United States, “roughly 15 percent of adults age 20 to 74 were obese in the early 1980s and 34 percent were obese in 2007,”” while the Center for Disease Control describes American society as “obesogenic” who live in environments that “promote increased food intake,” and unhealthful eating.
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| Uptown CSA's Rae Mindock makes her presentation |
Obesity has become such an epidemic that is costing lives in America and causes for concerns grow every day. However, it seems all is not lost. Four women, who spoke at Truman today, agreed that the answers to obesity prevalence may just lie in the foods we eat and that changing what we eat can improve our health, and save lives.
As part of the “One Book, One Truman” spring events series, Ray Cosgrove library hosted these four speakers engaged in promoting urban agriculture and in reconnecting famers with consumers on Wednesday, Apr. 13 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. The four women who represented Windy City Harvests, Uptown Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), Growing Home and Angelic Organics Learning Center made presentations to more than 30 students, staff and faculty.
They explained their work in promoting healthy eating by building local organic food systems such as vegetable gardening, seasonal fruit baskets and beekeeping. In addition, they offer workshops and establish working groups such as schools, youth groups, and communities.
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| Breanne Heath (right) and Kelly Larsen (left) pose for a picture after their presentation |
For Windy City Harvest representative, Kelly Larsen, who graduated from Truman in 2000, today’s event was more than just about making a presentation. Rather, it was an opportunity to reengage her former school and share her experiences as an advocate for urban agriculture in Chicago and how current Truman community can start up small gardens, access markets and gain valuable skills.
“When you know your famer, you can ask questions about the produce and the conditions under which it was grown,” said Breanne Heath, Growing Home Inc. Field Training Specialist, while responding to a participant who expressed skepticism about the nature of groceries sold at retail stores like Jewel Osco. She also explained how hard it’s to access such information from store managers or sales associates on foods imported from distant places.
The end to America’s insatiable appetite for food is invisible. Nonetheless, to educate the public and raise awareness of alternatives to processed food or foods grown with fertilizers, the four presenters encouraged attendees both to grow their own food and know their farmer. Either way, weight problems and health risks resulting from complications in eating inorganic food can be reduced.
Please check out these links for details: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKbNgIAWce8 and
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