The Senate began consideration of a farm and food bill yesterday. The biggest issues on the threshing floor of the Senate is separating wheat from chaff between Northern and Southern farmers over safety net programs and the question of costs for the federal food stamp program, which makes up about 80 percent of the $100 [...]

Posted on June 6th, 2012 by Debby
Filed under: Agriculture, Community Gardens, Farm Bill 2012, Farm to School, Farm-to-School, Farmers Markets, Food, Rural Urban Partnerships, Senate, USDA | No Comments »

By Miryam Ehrlich Williamson Doctors at three Massachusetts medical centers are writing “prescriptions” for free fruits and vegetables at local farmers markets. Clinicians look for families of overweight and obese children enrolled in the centers’ exercise and nutrition program that can’t afford and lack access to fresh produce. Whole families are enrolled; the main requirement [...]

Posted on August 31st, 2010 by Miryam Ehrlich Williamson
Filed under: Childhood obesity, Farmers Markets, Nutrition | No Comments »

By Miryam Ehrlich Williamson Agricultural pesticides, long suspected of being especially harmful to children, are receiving additional scrutiny, thanks to three recent studies. And – no surprise here – children who live in agricultural areas turn out to be particularly vulnerable. Scientists are cautious in their conclusions, awaiting results of further testing. But two classes [...]

Posted on August 30th, 2010 by Miryam Ehrlich Williamson
Filed under: Agriculture, Buy Local, Farmers Markets, Food Safety | 1 Comment »

By Miryam Ehrlich Williamson  A year or so from now, Massachusetts farmers, cheese makers, bakers, and others out to please the palates of locals and tourists alike will have a new outlet for their products. After years of talks, debates, and the occasional argument, the non-profit Boston Public Market Association has nailed down a pledge [...]

Posted on August 2nd, 2010 by Miryam Ehrlich Williamson
Filed under: Farmers Markets | 1 Comment »