Each year, right before Thanksgiving, confirmation students in our local community conduct a food drive. Last Wednesday night 472 items were collected for the Franklin County Food Pantry!

I’m pleased to say that our family donated to the local food drive. But if I would have known then what I know now, our donations would have been different. First of all, I would have included some toiletries like toothpaste, toothbrush, deodorant and bar soap, plus paper products and garbage bags as these items cannot be purchased with food stamps.

Secondly, I would have made sure my donated items contained more ready-to-go meals like beef stew and chili with meat. I also would have included a box of crackers along with instant soup packets. Finally, I would have donated canned potatoes, carrots and peas because green beans are most often donated. I also would have donated canned fruit other than pineapple, which is most commonly donated.

“We surveyed food banks and the items we found to be most in demand are: canned chicken and canned tuna, peanut butter, soup, boxed meals, pasta, canned veggies and canned fruit,” says Lindsey Haley, Operations Manager for the Iowa Food Bank Association.

If you plan to donate food items to your local food bank, please:

• Choose boxes (rice, potatoes, macaroni, etc.) as bags of food can tear easily.
• Donate low-sugar cereal like plain Cheerios or Raisin Bran.
• Purchase instant meals like oatmeal or biscuit mix that only require water because they’re easier to make.
• Know that cans, cartons or boxes of powered and evaporated milk are always needed.
• Remember that juice boxes, applesauce containers and granola bars make great snacks for kids.

“The best donation a person can make is a cash donation as the food banks can purchase approximately 4 meals for every $1 that’s donated,” adds Haley.

Because $1 can make such a big difference, I’m making a monetary donation this week to help fight hunger. Are you up for the challenge?

The Murphy family from Johnston, Iowa, has issued an open invitation to the #CanHunger challenge, which includes donating to FeedingAmerica.org or to your local food bank. Iowa Girl Eats Kristin Porter and many North Iowa Bloggers have accepted the challenge. You can, too!

Sign a canned food item, donate it to your local food bank, and then challenge three of your friends to do the same. Use the hashtag(#) and see how we can all help make a difference. #CanHunger this holiday season!

As I did chores yesterday morning, it felt like we were in the middle of January instead of the middle of November! Twenty-mile-an-hour winds whipped snow around the corner of the buildings. I had to make sure the curtains were working to regulate the temperatures inside my hog barns, so I was sweating when I was inside the barn and freezing on the outside. Even as cold as it was outside, 300-pound pigs create a lot of heat inside my barns. That means the curtains must go up and down to keep it comfy for the pigs! The pigs definitely had it better than I as they stayed inside, warm and dry, with the ability to eat and drink whenever they get the urge.

When I saw this weather report, I realized why I felt so miserable:

I don’t even want to know what the wind chill was!

After battling frigid temperatures all morning, I went inside to my office to sort through some of the papers on my desk. I’ve been reading where the billions of dollars go in our Farm Bill. Funding for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) accounts for 80% of the Farm Bill, so it would appear U.S. farmers get to fight over the remaining 20%.

SNAP has been a part of the Farm Bill for years, but it’s become an increasingly large budget item. SNAP cost almost $80 billion last year – twice the amount it cost just five years ago! Page 2 of the FY2015 USDA Budget Summary shows that U.S. Farm and Commodity programs only receive 11% of Farm Bill funding, so my curiosity led me to explore where some of this money goes.

It appears that a significant amount of USDA (U.S. Department of Agriculture) funds don’t even support U.S. farmers and ranchers. An article posted Nov. 4 by Joani Dong, Foreign Service Agriculture Attaché, provides an update on The Food for Progress Program. Administered by USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service, this program helps developing countries like Senegal modernize and strengthen their agricultural sectors using proceeds from U.S. agricultural commodities.

In essence, Food for Progress uses commodities we donate to that country and sells them. For example, a ribbon cutting ceremony was recently held for a 7.5-mile road in Senegal that will help local farmers get products to market. This road links agriculture production zones to the major highway, which is being built with funding from the Millennium Challenge Corporation. Another 10 miles of roads should be completed by year’s end, and a 3-year plans includes the development of 73.3 miles of feeder roads.

Another example of how the USDA’s Food for Progress Program is helping individual farmers expand takes us to Ethiopia. Michael Francom, Agriculture Counselor, U.S. Embassy, Addis Ababa, posted on Sept. 4 how U.S.-donated commodities have helped a small dairy farmer, Ms. Yetemwork Tilahun, expand her farm.

“[Funding] has allowed her to expand her operation from a single dairy cow to her current herd of 10 crossbred Holsteins, each valued at about $3,000 (USD),” writes Francom. “As a result of this expansion, Ms. Yetemwork is not only able to provide her family with fresh milk, but is also able to generate extra income by selling surplus production to several restaurants and hotels, as well as the nearby cooperative.”

These are all good programs, right? Honestly, I’m the type of person that seems to always worry about the whole world. I’m truly concerned for the under fed and the under employed. I would love for the world to be… happy. Yet, the U.S. can’t afford to literally run huge deficits in an attempt to save the whole world.

Let’s focus on helping our own country’s agricultural sector to grow and thrive! I prefer my food grown here, not imported. Unnecessary regulations, cumbersome paperwork and tax burdens drive business out of our country.

On this Veteran’s Day, I want to begin by saying “thank you” to all who have served. Many American soldiers have made the ultimate sacrifice, but all who have served have been affected in some way. As my friend and fellow ag blogger Janice Person writes, “Observing Veteran’s Day is a small town tradition, a small town commitment. Did you know only 16% of Americans live in small towns but 40% of our military comes from those small towns?”

As Americans, we enjoy the freedom of choice. We are free to choose where we live and work, as well as how we practice religion. The First Amendment also guarantees us the freedom of speech. What I don’t understand, however, is why so many folks believe they also have the freedom to spread misinformation and lies. Yet, this is exactly what’s happening!

“What you put in your mouth is a personal choice,” writes Michele Payn-Knoper in her book No More Food Fights!” What a farmer produces is also a personal choice. One should not overpower the other.”

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, food production is again top of mind with consumers. I certainly understand why people want to know more about their food. After all, few things are more personal than what we place in our mouths to nourish our bodies.

Healthy dialogue is needed to promote understanding between producers and consumers. It’s one thing to ask legitimate questions, but it’s quite another thing to develop a fear over certain foods. Too often false information and half-truths are posted online, and those tend to be the articles that come to the top in a Google search.

Why? A blogger who calls herself FoodBabe, has no background in nutrition or food production, yet she has developed a huge following by spreading fear. Dr. Oz, who is a heart surgeon and also “plays” a doctor on TV, gets paid handsomely to spread fear.

Sensationalism sells. Fear sells! If it didn’t, HSUS wouldn’t show videos of sorry looking puppies and teary eyed little kitties. Emotion keeps the cash flowing! If HSUS actually visited a real farm, there would be no audience to play to.

Many groups, like HSUS and those opposing GMOs, instill fear of modern farming practices. Many groups instill fear of modern farming practices like those opposing GMOs. As a result, some large food companies are promoting they’re not part of this “modern style of farming.” Their advertising shows how they only source food from farmers who farm a certain way. Honestly, I believe such ads are merely a marketing tactic. These companies only want to differentiate themselves from the competition in hopes of increasing sales. However, such ads definitely confuse the general public and cause people concern over modern food production techniques.

There’s an entire industry emerging that’s based on food fear, which is also promoting food labeling legislation. Labeling foods as “non-GMO” connotes there is some type of danger. However, there is no proven danger with genetically modified products. There isn’t even a nutritional difference.

Requiring labels for GMO products is redundant and will be costly. Government mandates always cost money. Production prices will increase, and grocery prices will follow. Some affluent people can afford to pay more for food they don’t think they fear, but how will others be affected like the single mother who lives paycheck to paycheck?

Voluntary labeling is already in place… it’s called advertising! If consumers want non-GMOs, all they need to do is buy foods labeled “certified organic.” Consumers already have this choice, yet the food fights continue.

“… the public debate about GMOs isn’t playing out in a constructive way. Both sides have dug trenches, and they’re lobbing grenades over the wall while nothing much changes. It’s the World War I of food issues, and something’s gotta give,” writes Tamar Haspel in a recent Washington Post article entitled, “The GMO debate: 5 things to stop arguing.”

“Stop making these arguments, at least for a while, and see if it doesn’t help,” summarizes Haspel in his Oct 27^th Post article. “While you’re at it, reach out to someone you respect who disagrees with you, and listen. If you’re a scientist, academic, activist, journalist or any other type who gets invited to speak on panels, insist that the panel represent both sides fairly; choir-preaching doesn’t help. We need to come to some kind of reasonable consensus on this issue. Give peace a chance.”

Here are some farmers who are reaching out to consumers:

• The truth about your Thanksgiving Turkey by Katie Olthoff
• Understanding food labels by Kim Bremmer
• Ten Truthful Things about Harvest by Wanda Patsche

If you’re a farmer, I hope you’ll follow the examples these ladies are setting. If you’re a consumer, I hope you’ll start following these bloggers.

“Behind every good kid is a parent who is pretty sure she’s screwing it up.”

I felt like printing off this graphic when I saw it on Facebook and framing it immediately because it verified that someone else shared my sentiment. Parenting is no easy job! As a working mom of two, I have experienced more than my fair share of “mommy guilt.”

There have been many situations I wish I would’ve handled differently with my kids. There are times when I wish work didn’t take me away from home. There are days when I doubt myself and my abilities. The last thing I need is feel guilty about the food that I put on the table to fortify their growing bodies!

But one doesn’t have to take many steps inside any grocery store before doubt and even fear set in…
Organic vs. Natural. Cage Free vs. Free Range. GMO vs. Conventional. Sugar free. Gluten free. Fat free.

There are so many different food labels and marketing tactics that suddenly grocery shopping requires a “glossary of key terms.” Our nation has done such a great job of raising large quantities of food that Americans enjoy the luxury of food choice, but too many choices can be overwhelming.

In today’s blog, I’m attempting to bring clarity to a few commonly misunderstood food terms and provide a few simple steps to help every person feel better about the food that goes in his or her shopping carts. Let’s begin by taking a closer look at these three commonly used foodie terms:

• Cage Free vs. Free Range: “Cage free” means that livestock is raised inside a building but not in a cage. “Free range” means the livestock is on the loose, basically living outside. You’ll hear people argue for and against each type, but honestly, it really is a choice that an individual farmer must make based on his/her beliefs, facilities, climate and a variety of other factors.This year I raised cage free chickens inside a building. The main reason my chickens were kept inside is because their purpose in life was to become meat on the table. These chickens were meant for human consumption, not for the dining pleasure of raccoons, weasels, hawks or eagles. Yes, predators are part of the circle of life. When you’re buying chicken feed and spending the time to care for animals, however, you hate to see your hard earned money literally get carried away.
• Organic vs. Conventional: You might be surprised to learn that more than 20 chemicals commonly used in the growing and processing of organic crops are approved by the U.S. Organic Standards. The difference between organic and conventional farming is the origin of the pesticides. However, just because organic foods are raised with no or natural chemicals, doesn’t mean they’re free of harmful things. Organic foods tend to have higher levels of potential pathogens. One study found E. coli in fresh produce from almost 10% of organic farms samples but only in 2% of conventional samples. The same study found Salmonella only in samples from organic farms.Another misconception is that organic foods are healthier. These two methods of production have been studied for more than 50 years, but science cannot find any evidence that organic foods are in any way healthier than non-organic ones. Organic fruits and veggies, just like conventional produce, are dense with nutrients, low in calories and contain antioxidants that help promote health.Feel good about the nutritional value of your fresh fruits and veggies, regardless of how they were raised!
• GMO vs. Non-GMO: What is a GMO? It turns out that most people fear “it” even though they don’t know what “it” is. Click here to see what I mean.The truth is, “modified” doesn’t equal “bad” or “harmful.” Unfortunately, many mainstream reporters and media personalities like Dr. Oz have created confusion by spreading misinformation and using outlandish examples to cause us to fear our food. They make “genetically modified organisms” sound like some evil development.Fact is, farmers have intentionally changed the genetic makeup of all crops grown and livestock they have raised since domestic agriculture began 10,000 years ago! Every fruit, vegetable and grain that is commercially available today has been altered by human hands. Even kale is a genetically modified food. Can you believe that one of the most heralded “super foods” of our time is a GMO?

  Headlines throughout the summer produce season have been filled with them merits of kale, but very few acknowledged kale as a GMO. I’ve seen more recipes for Kale Smoothies get shared on Facebook. Why? Consumers are led to believe that the latest buzzword must be good, but as farming advocate Kim Bremmer writes, “…all of these “strategically worded labels” come at the expense of consumers.”

How can you feel comfortable about the food that you feed your family? Follow these easy steps:

1. Consider the source. Mainstream media doesn’t always cover both sides of the story nor does it necessarily get the facts straight! Sometimes research findings are influenced by whomever paid for the research. Other times information from a special interest group serves only that group’s best interest. Make sure you’re consulting information from unbiased groups like Best Food Facts.
2. Ask questions to a real farmer. Realizing that consumers have questions due to desire to better understand food production, more farmers than ever are sharing their personal farming stories. I regularly read blog posts by farmers who raise type of livestock that I don’t, and I find their stories fascinating. Engage in conversations about food and farming with groups like CommonGround^TM and the Iowa Food & Family Project. Start following hash tags like #RealPigFarming and #foodchat.
3. Plan Well Balanced Meals. Whether you buy your food direct from a farmer or pick it up from your local grocery store, give yourself to feel good about the food you’re feeding your family! Take the time to meal plan, including menu items from all food groups. Studies show that when meals are eaten together, the food tends to be more nutritious. Not only that, but research proves that valuable conversations are shared and important memories are created around the family dinner table. At the end of the day, wouldn’t you rather your family have warm memories of good food and good conversation rather than fear and anxiety over what’s on their plate?