Chapter 9 food Why do we need food

Chapter 9 food

Why do we need food? • Food provides energy (Calories) • Carbohydrates – 6 cal/gram. Sugars, starches, grains, fruits • Proteins – 4 cal/gram. Lean meats, fish, beans, eggs, nuts • Fats – 7 cal/gram. From meat, vegetable oils, fish oils, butter • Total of 2000 - 3000 Calories per day

Does everyone get enough to eat? • No, many people nationwide and globally are starving or malnourished (not enough vitamins or minerals in the diet) Why? • High population • Drought • Plant/animal disease • Famine – widespread food shortage • Political issues (war)

The history of agriculture. . . • Hunter/gatherers • Small subsistance farms – grow enough for one family • Large industrial farms – produce a high yield of crops/livestock. • Many use synthetic fertilizers, chemical pesticides, and irrigation systems to support the high yield.

Issues in food production: • Organic, All natural, conventionally grown food • Genetically Modified Foods • Large, Industrial Factory Farms • Loss of Local Farms

Organic Food • 100% Organic foods – Crops are NOT produced with: • Synthetic pesticides • Synthetic herbicides • Preservatives • Additives • Genetic engineering • Irradiation • Organic – made with 95% organic ingredients • Made with organic – 70% • Organic meats - animals raised with: • Limited use of antibiotics • No growth hormone • Free range – animals get some time out of cages • Natural or All Natural – is NOT regulated

Organic food: Pros and Cons • Organic food is healthier for you as it contains less chemicals • Organic food is better for the environment, as farming organically tends to have less impact on the soil • However, organic food can be much more expensive, so not everyone can afford it • Organic food may still have to travel many miles to reach your local stores

Organic Food: The dirty dozen A list of the 12 most contaminated: • • • Peaches Apples Sweet Bell Peppers Celery Nectarines Strawberries Cherries Pears Grapes (imported) Spinach Lettuce Potatoes

If cost is a factor, these foods are not as contaminated… • Foods you peel, such as bananas, corn, peas. . • Coffee, as the bean is inside. Fair trade or shade grown beans are environmentally-friendy • Eggs, although free range is more animal friendly • Use a veggie wash to remove chemicals

Genetically Modified Organisms • Also known as GMOs, GM Foods, or “Frankenfoods” Link to cartoon • Definition: Combining genes from different organisms is known as recombinant DNA technology, and the resulting organism is said to be "genetically modified, " "genetically engineered, " or "transgenic. " GM products (current or those in development) include medicines and vaccines, foods and food ingredients, feeds, and fibers. Source: genomics. energy. gov

Benefits of GM foods Higher yields of crops Less land used for the same amount of crops Less pesticides may be used Nutrients can be added, this can help people get more from a smaller amount of food • Research is being done to try to add medicines and other substances to be expressed in the food, then harvested and extracted • •

Criticism of GM Foods • Fears that the genes are unsafe for humans to ingest • GM crops can crowd out native plants • Fears that medicines/chemicals created by crops can get into the food supply • Fears that genes can transfer to other plants

Factory Farming: Positives/Negatives

What is Factory Farming? • Factory farming is a term referring to the process of raising livestock in confinement at high stocking density, where a farm operates as a factory — a practice typical in industrial farming by agribusinesses. Source: Wikipedia • Main products are meat, milk, and eggs

Positives/Negatives of factory farming • Produces high volume of product in a short amount of time • Needed to meet the demands of a growing human population • Can offer high amounts of food at a low cost • Animals live in close quarters without much room to move • Antibiotics/pesticides are routinely used • Vast amounts of wastes are produced • Can out compete smaller farms

So, what choices can I make to help the environment? • Eat lower on the food chain, reducing meat intake or even becoming a vegetarian or vegan (no animal products) • Why? It takes less energy to feed a person with producers (green plants). Remember, it takes much more energy and food to raise livestock. (90% is lost at each level)

So, what choices can I make to help the environment? • Buy organic when affordable, as organic farming practices tend to be healthier for the environment • Consider shade-grown coffee as it protects the habitat • Buy products in season • Try grass-fed beef • But the best thing you can do to help the environment is….

SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL FARMERS!! • Food does not travel far to get to your plate = less energy from transportation (an average meal travels 1, 500 miles!) • Food should be fresher = less preservatives • Promotes growth in your local farming community = business for friends and family • Be careful: not all food at a farmer’s market is local! Ask! • Local does not necessarily mean organic! If you are not sure, ask!

Finally, Grow Your OWN Food! • Growing a garden, no matter how big or small, is great for the environment! • Little if any energy to transport • You control the pests, fertilizers, and watering • Extra food can be shared, canned, frozen, dried… • Good for your health, too!