The COVID-19 pandemic is pushing some to adopt plant-based diets, writes Swati Chaturvedi:
“The saying, an apple a day keeps the doctor away, holds true. There is an increase in demand for organic food, vegan, vegetarian and other healthy foods as a result of the pandemic. All around us, we see an increasing number of people taking to vegetarianism for reasons such as inner peace, health concerns and their love for the environment.”
Fred Gerendasy checks out the trailer for Sustainable, a new documentary that “critically examines our food system” from husband and wife filmmakers Matt Wechsler and Annie Speicher:
“Based in Chicago, they have already self-funded a good portion of the production work, and are seeking donations on Indigogo to complete the film project. Judging only from the trailer, and the fact that these are accomplished film professionals (Different is the New Normal, Grannies on Safari: The Colors of Cuba, and I Am For Peace), this looks like a worthwhile upcoming film to watch and support.”
Tom Philpott looks at California’s booming almond industry and its impact on the state’s water crisis:
“The value of the California almond market hit $4.8 billion in 2012 — that’s triple the level of a decade earlier. Only dairy is worth more to the state than almonds and grapes. In fact, almonds, along with California-grown pistachios and walnuts, are becoming so lucrative that big investment funds, eager to get in on the boom, are snapping up land and dropping in trees.
“There’s just one problem: Almond orchards require about a third more water per acre than grape vineyards. In fact, they’re one of California’s thirstiest crops. It takes a gallon of water to produce a single almond — more than three times the amount required for a grape and two and a half times as much for a strawberry.”