Tag Archives: food policy

New California Law Elevates Farmers’ Markets – Part of Behind-the-Scenes Work of the Ecology Center

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New California Law Elevates Farmers' Markets - Part of Behind-the-Scenes Work of the Ecology Center
The Ecology Center’s weekly farmers’ markets are how we got our start building an alternative food system. Recently, our work in that realm has expanded, but less visibly to our local supporters and farmers’ market customers. That’s because we’re working behind the scenes statewide with other farmers’ market managers and partners, to replicate programs that… Read more »

Proposed Bills to Take Action on for Health and Environment

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Proposed Bills to Take Action on for Health and Environment
Ah, spring in Sacramento: an abundance of Assembly Bills and Senate Bills, young pieces of policy that could become important state laws. This is the time of year that proposed bills make their way through various committees, each committee holding a vote before the bill can go to the next step. As a bill comes… Read more »

California Proposes Warning Label for Sugary Drinks

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California Proposes Warning Label for Sugary Drinks
High rates of obesity and diabetes have been linked to drinking soda and other sweetened beverages. The good news? There’s a variety of solutions to protect our health and keep healthcare costs down. Berkeley’s proposed Healthy Child Initiative, putting a 1-cent-per-ounce tax on sugary drinks, is one route that’s been shown would reduce consumption, and… Read more »

Food Politics: How Did Your Legislator Vote in 2013?

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Food Politics: How Did Your Legislator Vote in 2013?
Californians have a new tool to track what their legislators in Sacramento are doing for better, healthier food systems. The California Food Policy Council just released their report for 2013, tracking 10 of the most critical proposed food system-related bills. A quick scan shows how each legislator voted across the plank of food bills, increasing… Read more »

Why Soda-Tax Battles Matter in the Fight Against Obesity

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Why Soda-Tax Battles Matter in the Fight Against Obesity
A recent op-ed in the San Francisco Chronicle lines up the scientific reasons why sugary beverages are linked to obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and other health concerns. The quick snapshot is that soda and other sugary drinks deliver huge quantities of glucose and fructose directly to our bloodstream, overloading our pancreas and liver. Fructose gets… Read more »