Part 2
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The dominant issue in the world today is Food and the world is evolving into the New Food Economy.
“Ten years ago people didn’t talk about Organic Food – now its mainstream”.
Says Robyn O’Brien.
This article is part 2 in a 3 part series about the food revolution and if you want to become a member, read on and find out how you can help too.
Want to read the first article view HERE
Organic milk returns rocket to new heights!
And she is right the rise in organic food demand has taken the food industry by surprise.
The global organic food market is set to grow to over 16% by 2020.
Our dairy farmers in New Zealand have been in the news in recent times and we are all aware of their struggles, but little is being said about organic milk which outstrips regular milk pay outs by almost 100% more money in the farmers pocket. Organic milk farmers receive a record $9.20 according to stuff Headlines:
Organic milk returns rocket as Fonterra announces $9.20 price for organic farmers. Article by Gerard Hutching May 6 2016
Almost double the pay-out for regular milk. It takes three years for a farm to become organic in New Zealand and those farmers who have been affected by the rise and fall in milk prices look on to their fellow organic farmers and wonder, should I go organic too.
The answer is an emphatic YES.
As the demand for organics grows faster than supply, many countries, such as America for instance have to look abroad to countries like Australia, China and Uruguay to meet their increasing needs. Farmers markets are the next big movers and shakers in the organics and local markets movement. The foodie movement has evolved from its 1960s hippy origin and people like Robyn O’Brien who has been described as Food’s “Erin Brockovich” are the face of the Food Revolution today.
Here’s what Erin Brockovich has to say about Robyn O’Brien
“In the absence of the truth, all of us stand helpless to defend ourselves, our families and our health, which is the greatest gift we have. Robyn O’Brien’s courageous pursuit is an example of how we can all do our parts to protect the health of our families.” —Erin Brockovich
Robyn O’Brien, a former financial and food industry analyst, triggered an allergic reaction in the food industry when she asked:
“Are we allergic to food or what’s been done to it?”
Today, she is a sought-after adviser and speaker, inspiring organizations and individuals to engage in the “New Food Economy.” The early years of her work are documented in her bestseller The Unhealthy Truth.
She became recognized around the world after her TEDx talk in 2011. That talk was viewed by millions and translated into multiple languages. In the last ten years, she has helped to lead a food awakening among consumers, corporations and politicians.
Food companies responding to Robyn’s work include Target, General Mills, Kraft, Coca Cola, Burger King, Chipotle, Nestle, Compass Food Group and others. She has worked with members of Congress, governors and other political leaders. Robyn is a sought after public speaker, most recently presenting at Tony Robbins’ Platinum Event.
Robyn’s unique ability to leverage years of financial and analytical research with insight gained as a mother of four has made her a force for change.
Robyn O’Brien’s TEDx talk 2014
According to Robyn O’Brien from 1997 – 2007 in America there has been a 265% increase in food allergies. 1-10 children have asthma, 1-3 have diabetes, 1-45 are on the autism spectrum and 1-3 kids have food allergies. There is an allergic reaction every 3 minutes in the states and the company who provides the anti-allergic pen EpiPen bought for 20 million dollars in 2008 is today worth over a billion dollars.
Presently in the US there is an election campaign going on as we all know, however the contenders have not yet touched on the single biggest issue which is food.
Check it out here
In this Huffington post article by: Dariush Mozaffarian
Cardiologist, nutrition scientist, public health advocate and Dean, Friedman School of Nutrition Science & Policy, Tufts University.
Dariush highlights:
“The biggest challenges and opportunities of our time: our food.
Whether for health, the environment, or the economy, nutrition is the dominant issue facing the world today.
Whether for water, land, oceans, or climate, our food system is the crucial foundation for either harm or positive change. We need a secure, sustainable food system for our children and theirs”.
This is Nutrition’s time.
“More than ever, the public is deeply interested in healthy and sustainable eating, while many across industry recognize that their success depends on being part of the solution. Improving our food system, and how we eat, should be a bipartisan priority. Food not only influences disease, the environment, and the economy, but has profound implications for equity and social justice. This gap, between the size and scope of the problem and the attention it receives, is larger for food and nutrition than for any other issue.
For anyone who has seen their doctor recently, or who cares for patients themselves, just pause to consider the irony: nutrition, the number one cause of illness, is largely ignored by the health system, whether in medical education, the electronic health record, reimbursement priorities, quality standards, or many other facets”.
WHO (The World Health Organisation) – life expectancy increases by 5 years since 2000, but health inequalities persist
According to WHO every year:
9 million children die before their fifth birthday;
more than 10 million people die before the age of 70 due to cardiovascular diseases and cancer;
156 million children under 5 are stunted, and 42 million children under 5 are overweight;
8 billion people drink contaminated water, and 946 million people defecate in the open; and
1 billion People rely primarily on polluting fuels for cooking.
Addressing those challenges will not be achieved without tackling the risk factors that contribute to disease. Around the world today.
And all it takes to change these statistics is YOU.
Ten years ago people didn’t talk about Organic Food – now it’s mainstream and if YOU can do just ONE THING the power of that will be felt all over the world.
Changing to a healthier diet is difficult and you need to be as kind to yourself as you would be to a child trying to cope with change. The myth that organic food is more expensive, is only propaganda, to make you think it’s true. Plant of few seeds, grow your own vegetables, fruit trees and buy organic milk. Use the local farmers markets for a better quality product. The savings are more than money in your pocket, they just may save your health.
A child with a with a food allergy costs the medical system $4000.00 per year, according to the New England Journal of Medicine the cost of cancer alone is going to cripple the health care system.
A food system dependent on chemicals is not a food system it’s a chemical system.
How much longer are these food companies willing to carry these chemical companies? Social media has changed the game. It’s put a lot of these companies in the spotlight and put the power into the hands of the consumer.
Hershey’s are eliminating GMO sugar beet from their brand because it’s against GMO in food. 50% of Americans sugar beet is GMO. If this becomes an industry trend and Hershey’s are a big player then companies like Monsanto are in big trouble.
The DARK act failed. The big companies have said NO we will label everything in our food and give the right to all consumers to make an informed choice.
My next article is about Protecting your family from toxic food and we will hear from The Food Babe Vani Hari, who as a child was bought up on junk food.
In her own words- “The majority of the food out there is rubbish that can kill you”.
Until then go out and make ONE change today for the good of your health and for the good of your family.
Want to know more about healthy food and food medicine then join my blog and let’s make a better world together. HERE.
The new food economy is here!
