Last year we saw the retirement of the USDA’s aging food pyramid. This was a hopeful change that brought us to the new and improved diet diagram, MyPlate. The USDA’s work on this nutriton guide seemed to address some of the pyramid’s shortcomings, however it left dairy as a daily requirement of 3 cups. This spurred my curiosity about milk and it’s true role in our diet. I already had an opinion that dairy was unnecessary and potentially harmful but I realized I needed to learn more and see if we really do need milk.

My quest to learn more about the role of dairy lead me to Amazon to purchase three books..

Devil in the Milk: Illness, Health and the Politics of A1 and A2 Milk, by Keith Woodford
Whitewash: The Disturbing Truth About Cow’s Milk and Your Health, by Joseph Keon
The Raw Milk Revolution: Behind America’s Emerging Battle Over Food Rights, by David E. Gumpert.

I looked for a fourth book that made a case for pasteurized, homogenized milk however, after an extensive search on milk related books I was unable to find anything worthwhile.

So it begins, my quest to define and understand if that infamous “got milk?” campaign has any validity or if we should push our carts past the dairy section? In the next eight weeks I’m going to read online resources, books from my new milk library and interview a few dietitians on their opinions of milk. Hopefully by the end of it all we will begin to see if those recommended three cups of milk should even be near my plate.

As we continue to discuss food security, urban redevelopment and obesity in America, the term food desert is a reoccurring theme. Food deserts are communities with a lack of healthy food available to them, both physically and economically. This is a complex issue with no simple solutions. However, the Indy Food Co-op is taking steps to bring healthy options to the former food desert of the Near Eastside. In 2010, the co-op opened the first community-owned grocery store in Indianapolis, Pogue’s Run Grocer. With local meats, produce, and other quality foods, the store is a great example of what can happen when people work to find creative solutions to our communities most pressing needs.

Pogues Run Grocer is located at 2828 E 10th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46201

Sonja and Alex, of the food blog A Couple Cooks, are advocates for eating local, healthy food. Now with inspiration from Slow Food USA’s $5 Meal Challenge, they want everyone to know that healthy and simple food can be both tasty and affordable. Join the cooking duo as they lead you step by step on how to create Italian White Bean Soup.

Learn more about Slow Food USA’s $5 Meal Challenge at slowfoodusa.org
And don’t forget to check out A Couple Cooks Blog at acouplecooks.com

Last week I had the privilege to return to Arsenal Technical High School and visit 11th grade English classrooms. Similar to my visit last year, I was able to meet students who were using local food as a topic for their research essays and I stopped by to discuss Craftedspoon and why we believe local food is important. During their research, students read excerpts from authors, Eric Schlosser, Michael Pollan, Upton Sinclair and a number of articles about Indianapolis’ local food movement. The students’ extensive knowledge of food related issues left me feeling like I was talking to a group of seasoned food advocates. They were well aware of the environmental, health and economic issues related to our current food system and they were grilling me about local food options in Indianapolis and suggesting ways to increase local food access around the city.

My time with the students ended with their writing business proposals that would offer local food to their community. The proposals included where the business would source its food from, a designed logo, and an analysis of the nutritional value their food-related business would offer. The concepts could each be feasibly implemented, but on a deeper level, the discussion revealed just how much there is a need to expand the local food movement in Indianapolis–not just in know-how, but in access and affordability as well. In the end, it was inspiring to spend the day with high-school students fired up about local food. I am excited to share and read their final essays in a few weeks and see how they weigh in on topics pertaining to local food. In the meantime, their enthusiasm serves as a reminder of the importance of constantly finding new ways to expand the conversation regarding Indianapolis’ local food movement and makes me excited about what’s in store for the city in years to come.

While on a random voyage through twitter feeds this afternoon I
came across Jimmy Fallon’s comments about Indianapolis’ Recess and The Libertine.  This was great for these establishments but it was also great representation of Indianapolis’  local restaurant scene. Both restaurants make local food a priority and have  helped support local Indiana farmers.  Recess and The Libertine may not be affordable for everyone in Indy however their contributions to the city are beneficial for everyone. Indy continues to grow more local food establishments and it is exciting to see someone from the east notice our food in the mid-west.

I am more than proud of Indianapolis and their work on this year’s Super Bowl. Indianapolis knows how to run a sporting event and they have the right  people to make it happen. My pride however was dampened this evening after reading a NPR article on how Indiana is known for pork, popcorn and pies. Granted these might be local but they don’t represent  Indiana’s more nutritionally dense local foods. It might be a while but I’m waiting for the day to see  headlines that read, “Hoosier hospitality starts in the garden,” “Make dinner reservations for Indiana’s local food scene” or ” Forget the 500, what about that beet salad?!” I do think we are on the right path and we will get there! Local farms are growing, farmers markets are expanding and people are continually getting excited about local food. We may not be  making headlines with our local food cuisines yet but I believe Indianapolis’ next Super Bowl will be more about our food than the football.

If you haven’t heard about it, IndyHub has created a co-working space for Super Bowl week, called HubWork. It is an open and free invitation to take your work to the west wing of City Market so that you can get things done, but also partake in all of the fun Super Bowl excitement.

Craftedspoon (Me and JD) will be a part of the fun on Monday with IndySpectator. We will be discussing local food and probably some other things at 2:00pm. Our videos will also be playing all week in the design gallery thanks to Asthmatic Kitty Records.

So, if you don’t feel you’re getting a full experience of Super Bowl week because you’re stuck in an office, consider coming to the City Market to have some fun while getting your work done. Or maybe don’t get your work done.

I currently enjoy the simplicity of living in an apartment but my only complaint always revolves around the one void I find in my life…I have no space for a garden! This troubling misfortunate can be difficult for anyone that longs to grow their own food however it doesn’t keep me from learning as much as I can. I’m especially fascinated with growing food during winter months. With that said, I’ve found a number of resources that provide some insight and inspiration into growing some greens in the winter.

Winter Vegetables - Line up of winter vegetables that everyone should have during these chili months

The Winter Harvest Handbook - Great book I bought to take my winter knowledge to the next level

Winter Composting - Everyone needs to keep the compost…composting

Cold Hardy Greens Thrive In Hoop House - See how a local Indiana food pantry is gardening this winter

Yes, I don’t have a plot of land but that isn’t keeping me from dreaming. I plan to continue to learn about growing my own food …even if it is a potted plant on the patio.

Right around January 1st I begin to reflect on the previous year and wonder what’s in store in for the future. This year I thought about what 2012 will mean for our food system nationally and locally. There are some exciting things happening in food and I believe this year will be full of positive changes that will put us on track to have a more sustainable, safe, fair, food system for everyone!

Top 4 things I’ll be watching in 2012.

New Indy Food Coop in the works – Pleasant Run Grocer - Would be a great addition to the food lanscape in Indianapolis

FDA Regulate anti-biotics in Livestock – They began to regulate  cephalosporins in 2011. Will there be more in 2012?

Innovate Indy – Community organized effort in Indianapolis with a number of food related initiatives.

2012 Farm Bill - Massivie piece of legislation that  can have a large impact on changing our food system for the best.

There are many more things happening in our nation’s food movement. What are some things you’re looking forward to see happen in 2012?

No matter what 2012 will be a great year to work towards better food and a better future.

As we continue to discuss food security, urban redevelopment and obesity in America, the term food desert is a reoccurring theme. Food deserts are communities with a lack of healthy food available to them, both physically and economically. This is a complex issue with no simple solutions. However, the Indy Food Co-op is taking steps to bring healthy options to the former food desert of the Near Eastside. In 2010, the co-op opened the first community-owned grocery store in Indianapolis, Pogue’s Run Grocer. With local meats, produce, and other quality foods, the store is a great example of what can happen when people work to find creative solutions to our communities most pressing needs.