What We Don’t Eat: Half of All Food Produced Is Wasted

Exactly how much food does the average American waste? While inefficient harvesting, transport, storage and packing can contribute a large portion to that waste, in developed countries like ours there are significant losses – and waste – in food processing, wholesale and retail distribution, and households, restaurants, and food services where food is consumed.

Peanut-Butter Fruit or Peanut-Butter Plant

Two species share common names (Peanut-butter Fruit or Peanut-butter Plant) and confusingly similar scientific names: Bunchosia argentea and Bunchosia Armeniaca. Therefore, I sought to learn what’s the difference? Which is more commonly cultivated? This article shares my findings. The reason I care is because the plants bear pretty yellow blossoms and red edible fruit.

Weed Wars – The Dandy Dandelion (Podcast)

Like many plants that have fallen out of favor, the dandelion used to be a staple in seed catalogs. Now it is considered a weed: a plant out of place. Terri Gardner presents this podcast sharing the positive traits of the humble dandelion.

Oasis in Aisle 6 – The Lifesaving Legumes

While the interior aisles of an average supermarket are filled with rows and rows of mostly junk processed non-foods, there is one aisle I want to make a fuss over. For the sake of discussion I will categorically refer to it as “aisle 6”, the oasis of the inner supermarket.

Cooking the Whole Hog…er…Head

Tom Winterrowd, who farms near Canby, Oregon, said that the minute he saw the announcement for the hog head cooking class he knew he’d be in it. Portland Meat Collective recently offered the class, bringing in Ben Meyer, the chef at Grain and Gristle Restaurant as the instructor.

Ensuring Your Urban Chickens and Their Eggs Are Safe

As urban homesteading becomes increasingly popular, more people are refraining from store-bought eggs to try their hand at raising backyard chickens. However, despite the many potential benefits, it’s still necessary to take precautions against disease and pathogens like Salmonella.

Let’s All Plant a Garden!

It’s been a cool, late spring here in Puget Sound, which means there’s still time to plant a garden. In fact, we’ve just gotten the tomatoes we bought at the Seattle Tilth Edible Plant Sale in the ground! Buying starts and seeds from local growers and at local sales ensures that you get plants that are climate-appropriate. There are some plants that just don’t do well in our short summers!

Food Safety is NOT a Matter of Size

At Amaltheia Organic Dairy, Belgrade Montana, Mel and Sue Brown milk between 250 and 280 goats and produce award-winning organic cheeses that are sold across the United States. While the dairy and cheese plant may be small by some standards, size makes no difference when it comes to careful and sanitary handling of food products.