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Mon through Fri at 12pm, Mon through Thu at 9pm |
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Chicago Matters: Beyond Burnham: The Global Food System
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It’s that time of year again, farmers' markets are back open for business. In Chicago there are more than 34 farmers' markets to choose from. But locally grown fruits and vegetables make up just a tiny percentage of the food that people in Illinois eat each year. That’s because in the last half century our food system has been transformed. Much of what we eat and drink has made its way here from countries like China and Brazil. It’s made a huge change in our health and our economy. Today, as part of our series Chicago Matters: Beyond Burnham, we’ll talk about our local food system and hear about food systems in Europe.
Guests:
Wes Jarrell - Professor of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Illinois at Urbana, Champaign. He heads the Illinois Local and Organic Farm and Food Task Force. He’s also a farmer.
John Connor - Professor of Agricultural Economics at Purdue University.
Marco Tavanti - Professor at Depaul University. He’s the director of Depaul University’s Tuscany-Italy Program on the study of European food policy.
Michael Pollan talk at Chicago Public Library: Acclaimed food writer and author of The Omnivore’s Dilemma, discusses his companion book, In Defense of Food: An Eater’s Manifesto.
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Katy Huff, Hyde Park expatriat // Tuesday, May 26, 2009 @ 4:28 PM
What beautiful photos!
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Debbie Hillman, Evanston, IL // Wednesday, May 27, 2009 @ 12:13 PM
Thanks for a great Worldview show yesterday on the food system. A great mix of panelists and information, and good audience questions. As one of the two Coordinators of the Task Force mentioned, I would like to make a couple corrections and an additional comment.
1. Just a technicality: The actual name of our Task Force is "Illinois Local and Organic Food and Farm Task Force" (not "farm and food")
2. The genesis of the Task Force did indeed come out of HB1300 (Illinois Food, Farms, and Jobs Act of 2007) written by State Rep. Julie Hamos. While her constituents (the Evanston Food Policy Council, of which I am co-chair) certainly initiated the conversation, the initiative was in fact statewide, not just a Chicago or Evanston or metropolitan area initiative, as Wes Jarrell suggested. It was at our third meeting with Rep. Hamos (in October 2006), to which we brought farmers, organizations, and policy people from all over the state that she solidified her interest in spearheading the growing of an Illinois-based farm and food economy. Wes was not part of those early conversations, so it is understandable that he would not know the precise history. It is, however, an important point for people to understand: this is a rural-urban (and suburban) partnership, which will benefit ALL Illinois communities, and has been successful for that reason. Rep. Hamos as a legislator and we as a state-commissioned Task Force are trying to find the right policies that will benefit ALL Illinois citizens. An Illinois-based farm and food system, based on our abundant natural resources -- farmland, climate, and diverse consumer population -- has the potential to create economic opportunities throughout the state.
3. In response to comments about seasonal eating, a major recommendation in the Task Force report (www.foodfarmsjobs.org) is to identify the economic opportunities in providing year-round availability of Illinois food to Illinois consumers. There are economic opportunities in (1) season extension of production, and (2) preserving local food at the peak of flavor (canning, bottling, drying, smoking). Season extension includes greenhouses, hoophouses, and many other techniques that are already in existence as well as being developed in the Illinois and Midwest foodshed. Some of the Chicago area's winter greens are grown in the Midwest and Ontario. Michigan State University grows food 48 weeks per year.
Debbie Hillman, Coordinator
Illinois Local & Organic Food & Farm Task Force
Co-chair, Evanston Food Policy Council
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