IATP would like to bring attention to the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe disaster. The Bush Foundation is matching donations made though GiveMN.org up to $25,000. Please take a moment to learn more and donate.

Ideas for a healthier food system

If you were to redesign our food system to provide enough healthy, nutritious food for everyone, what would it look like? That's the premise of the latest issue of the Journal of Hunger and Environmental Nutrition, which includes contributions IATP’s David Wallinga and Mark Muller, as well as a few of our Food and Society Fellows. The entire double issue is available online. For more information, see our blog entry.

Food security

The global
food challenge

IATP, along with a number of other organizations, has co-authored and edited a new book about global hunger, trade and the human right to food entitled “The Global Food Challenge: Towards a Human Rights Approach to Trade and Investment Policies.” For more information, read our blog entry about the book, the executive summary or find the entire book on our Web site.

Better food

Beyond
the USDA

The USDA isn’t the only federal agency that influences our food system. IATP’s new report identifies how many other agencies play significant roles. The report details the many avenues—and opportunities for funding—available to groups interested in changing our ailing food system while offering suggestions for reform. See our press release for more information or read the report.

Cop 15

Copenhagen
wrap-up

The watered-down political agreement reached in Copenhagen lacked the firm commitments needed to address global climate change. But governments and civil society organizations announced a number of initiatives to address climate change at the local, national and regional levels. For more information see our press release and blog entry.

IATP in the News

BCAP to Boost Biomass Harvest Biomass Magazine December

Africa: from famine to the world’s next breadbasket? Christian Science Monitor 12/17

New year, new law—Do you know what your baby's bottle is made from? Sun Newspapers 1/1

McKnight gives $1.6M to Mississippi River restoration MSP Business Journal 1/7

Creating Peace, One Bean at a Time Metro Magazine 1/18

Organic agriculture and climate policy Twin Cities Daily Planet 1/21

IATP Applauds First Lady Michelle Obama’s Initiative on Childhood Obesity Humanitarian News 1/22

State of the Union's School Lunch: Nutrition as National Defense and Fiscal Health Huffington Post 1/27

Michelle Obama gives a shoutout to Minneapolis farmers markets City Pages: The Hot Dish 1/28

Peace Coffee

Lee Wallace, Peace Coffee CEO, offers her take on 2009

Dear coffee drinkers,

January is a month perched between. All around us, pundits are recapping the year that just passed and predicting what is to come. For me at Peace Coffee, January is a moment of transition, the conclusion of the whirlwind holiday roasting season, turning my eyes from inward and operational to outward as our producer partners in Central America kick off their harvest season. Read on...

IATP Events

February 23  Healthy Legacy Day at the Capitol Healthy Legacy Coalition, co-chaired by IATP, invites you to talk with elected officials about why we need green cleaning supplies in our schools and public buildings and why we should promote the production of safe products.

WHEN: Tuesday, February 23 at 10 a.m.
WHERE: Minnesota State Capitol
WHO: People of Minnesota
HOW: Contact Peter Starzynski, Healthy Legacy Coalition Coordinator, at (612) 870-3476 or peter@iatp.org

March 6   What’s in your water? Healthy Legacy and the League of Women Voters will host a forum on emerging contaminants like hormone disruptors in our water.

WHEN: Saturday, March 6, 10:00 a.m.–noon
WHERE: Willey Hall, University of Minnesota
WHO:

• Kathy Lee, United States Geological Survey
• Dr. David Wallinga, IATP and the W.T. Grant Foundation Distinguished Fellow, University of Minnesota School of Public Health
• Rep. Paul Gardner (53A)

March 12–14  Midwest Real Food Summit Students and allies from across the Midwest will gather at Macalaster College in St. Paul, Minn., to discuss, share and analyze how and where student movements fit in the larger context of social change and the regional food movement. IATP's Marie Kulick will be keynote speaking about the power of purchasing. Register here.

March 13–15  International Workshop on Sustainable Food and Agriculture IATP is co-organizing this event at Renmin (People’s) University in Beijing to discuss the current challenges facing our global food and agriculture systems and identify sustainable solutions.

More IATP News

IATP applauds first lady Michelle Obama’s initiative on childhood obesity. First lady Michelle Obama cited Minneapolis mini farmers markets in underserved communities as an example of new local initiatives to combat obesity and connect children with healthier foods. For more information, read the entire speech and see IATP's press release.

The recent decision by the American Public Health Association (APHA) to oppose hormone use in beef and dairy production has been lauded by a number of groups, including IATP. Read the press release and our blog for more information.

The Commodity Markets Oversight Coalition (CMOC) and the Americans for Financial Reform (AFR) announced joint principles to regulate agriculture and energy commodity markets. IATP has been working with the CMOC to prevent extreme commodity price volatility induced by financial institutions and energy traders. Read the CMOC and AFR press release. Also, see our blog “Looking at Davos through the Enron loophole.”

IATP has submitted comments to the USDA and the Department of Justice for the upcoming workshops on market concentartion in agriculture. See the letter and our blog “The year to challenge corporate control in agriculture.”

The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars has published a valuable new book entitled “Land Grab? The Race for the World's Farmland.” It includes a diversity of perspectives on land grabs—including an article by IATP's Alexandra Spieldoch and Sophia Murphy on what land grabs could mean for food security and poverty reduction. Read our blog “The race for the world's farmland” for more information.

Wayzata Public Schools nutrition leader Mary Anderson's innovative work has been recognized by the School Nutrition Association. “Mary’s work sets a gold standard for school nutrition around the state,” said JoAnne Berkenkamp, director of the IATP's Local Foods program. Read the press release.

Why has the Biomass Crop Assistance Program grown into a monster? IATP consultant Loni Kemp examines why this government program is benefiting paper companies instead of farmers in a new blog post.

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