The Gates Foundation—along with giants of biotech—is planning to export biotech seeds to Africa. If the history of colonialism and subsequent development practice has taught us anything, it is that all interventions must strengthen resilience, encourage diversity and be locally appropriate. The biotech seed proposal for Africa fails on all three counts.
The number of Minnesota school districts purchasing fresh food from local farms has more than doubled in the last 15 months, according to a new survey by the Minnesota School Nutrition Association (MSNA) and IATP.
The 2008 Farm Bill continues a path of deregulation that has increased market volatility to the benefit of global food companies. IATP comments on the Farm Bill conference agreement of May 13.
The ethanol industry could immediately stop the unnecessary use of antibiotics at production facilities because better alternatives are readily available, finds a new IATP investigation.
Biomass Crop Assistance Program needs clarification, improvement
The Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP) must undergo significant revision and refinement before the program's next phase is launched. IATP has submitted comments to the USDA Farm Service Agency providing recommendations for improving BCAP.
Cheap food policy contributing to childhood obesity
A decades-old “cheap food” policy has helped create a broken U.S. food system where unhealthy foods are both cheaper and more available to children than are healthy foods, writes the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy’s David Wallinga, M.D. in a new article in the influential journal, Health Affairs.
Mini farmers markets: Fresh local produce in Minneapolis
IATP's mini farmers market project has more than tripled in the past two years. Located primarily in Minneapolis neighborhoods with limited access to healthy foods, the markets bring fresh, local produce direct to the community.
May 10 In the latest episode of Radio Sustain we speak with Dan Grewe from Compatible Technology International about post-harvest technology for developing countries, IATP's Kathleen Schuler discusses the Safe Chemicals Act of 2010, and Steve Suppan explains what nanotechnology is and why we need a more informed regulatory framework. Listen now!
The Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy works locally and globally at the intersection of
policy and practice to ensure fair and sustainable food, farm and trade systems.