Sound Bites: Michael Pollen’s ‘In Defense Of Food’ & Student Access To Healthy Foods

Crossroads Community food Network (Credit: Crossroads Community food Network website)July 7, 2016 – Segment 2

We host our newest episode of Sound Bites, our series about our food and our world. This week features a panel discussion I moderated last week at Busboys and Poets in Hyattsville. It was part of the Focus In! Film series, sponsored by Fair Farms and Crossroads Community Food Network. The evening began with a screening of the film “In Defense of Food,” featuring Michael Pollan, author of a number of books including The Omnivore’s Dilemma, and The Botany of Desire. The film centers around one of the most basic human questions “What should I eat?” According to Pollan, much of our food has been replaced by nutrients and food-like substances instead of real food.

The film was followed by a discussion on topics including the Prince George’s County Farm to School Program; school gardens; students learning about health, eating and food; healthy access to food in communities; food school system uses; and sourcing local food.

The panel included:

Betsy Nicholas, Executive Director of Fair Farms
Christie Balch, Executive Director of Crossroads Community Food Network
The Hon. Danielle Glaros, Prince George’s County Council
The Hon. Shani Warner, Hyattsville City Council
Ellarose Preston, Hyattsville Farm Market Manager, City of Hyattsville
Sara Booker, Maryland State Department of Education, Office of School Nutrition
Margaret Morgan Hubbard, Eco City Farms
Sydney Daigle, Prince George’s County Food Equity Council