Complete Issue November-December 2008

One unfortunate byproduct of our current industrial food system is the fact that economically depressed neighborhoods can only afford the nutrient-devoid food available at the corner store. Holton Farms has reached deep into New York City to radically change that model.

Imagine a high school where students are enthusiastically interested in their studies, where they’re gearing up for college right from the start, and while still in school they’re going out into the community and already making a difference. Sound like a dream? Welcome to Environmental Charter High School.

Many of us are fighting to change food and farm policy—the same policy that supports our industrial food system. One organization, the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy, has created a website to enlist the help of a critically important sector—medical professionals—in helping win this battle. David Wallinga, MD, director of the Food and Health Program at the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy, sat down with Organic Connections to explain the vital purpose behind the site and how it can help.

It’s easy to become depressed at the current state of our industrial-chemical agricultural system. But one highly effective—and economical—way to begin changing the system is to plant your own organic garden. Christy Wilhelmi, the self-styled “Gardenerd,” sat down with Organic Connections to tell us why—and what she can do to help.

If you have children—or even know someone who has children—you owe it to yourself to see a 20-minute video entitled 10 Americans. The video reveals the truth about the depth to which environmental toxins actually reach and what needs to be done about this crucial issue. Ken Cook, creator of the multimedia presentation and president of the Environmental Working Group, sat down with Organic Connections to talk about the video, its import, and legislation currently before Congress that would greatly rectify the situation.

Whether or not organic cocktails are better for you is a matter open to debate. But as organic cocktail aficionado and author Paul Abercrombie explains, the incredible flavors always win hands down. The self-described “cocktail nerd” sat down with Organic Connections to give us his take on the organic difference at the bar.

It uses no gasoline, runs quiet as a mouse and emits only water vapor. While not available for sale to the public as yet, the Chevrolet Equinox Fuel Cell SUV is a clear demonstration of what is possible in a non-fossil-fuel future. A test driver of the car, along with a General Motors representative, sat down with Organic Connections to show us the vehicle and tell us all about it.

Wouldn’t it be great to eat at a certified organic restaurant and enjoy a cocktail at a certified organic bar? Argentine native Alberto González thought so and built his own in New York. Alberto recently sat down with Organic Connections to share his story—and his sustainable philosophy.