James Beard nominated reads, combating drought, and 'Shrinkflation'
Before the Cutting Board: June 9, 2022
Hey there,
I hope this week’s round up finds you in summer-y spirits (or warm, cozy spirits if you’re below the equator). A little heads-up - I will be taking a two week break from Before the Cutting Board as I travel and spend time with family this month. I’ll return refreshed and ready to help keep you up-to-date on what’s happening with your food systems on June 30. Consider it a good time to go back into the archives and get into some of the articles you never got around to reading :)
Welcome back to Before the Cutting Board, your weekly roundup of food + supply chain hot topics to help keep you up to speed on what’s going down with your food.
If you’re new to Before The Cutting Board, here’s how it works: The “This Week” section focuses on news and current events. Occasionally, I’ll include a “Food Fights” section that explores some of the interesting debates flying around the food news world.
Without further ado, let’s dig in.
-This Week-
Food system pieces from the James Beard nominee list
The James Beard Awards ceremonies are taking place this weekend. While the bulk of the awards focus on achievements and leadership in the culinary and hospitality spheres, there is an entire ceremony dedicated to food reporting and media. Here are three pieces from this year’s nominee list that powerfully reflect on our food systems.
Inside the Secretive, Semi-Illicit, High Stakes World of WhatsApp Mango Importing by Ahmed Ali Akbar for Eater
Palestine and the West Bank Agricultural Struggle by Marianne Dhenin for Life & Thyme
The Man Who Sees a Future Where Indigenous Foods Are as Ubiquitous as Burgers by Kate Nelson for Esquire
The full list of this year’s media nominees can be found here.
What does combating drought look (and feel) like?
Next Friday, June 17, is the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought - part of the UN’s efforts to increase awareness of the realities of drought and human-driven land degradation as well as the international problem-solving efforts at play. A quick breakdown of the difference between drought and desertification via Point of Origin:
Here’s a round up of drought, land degradation, and land restoration coverage to keep you primed on how the impacts are being felt and addressed in our foodways.
Earlier this week, Civil Eats released a piece covering a report that found California’s groundwater management policy favors the wherewithal of large farmers, while posing a threat to the livelihoods of small farmers and farmers of color. A reminder of the importance of integrating equity into the way we problem-solve around climate change.
This piece from Yes! Magazine breaking down what water justice looks like in actuality for Native and Indigenous communities in the Western US
Watch or read the transcript from this PBS NewsHour segment where reporters chat with Iraqi fisherman and farmers about the ways in which increasing water scarcity is being felt in Iraq’s food chains, as well as the link between climate change and drought severity.
Honorable Mentions: 'Shrinkflation' accelerates globally as manufacturers quietly shrink package sizes and California’s Sheepherders at the Center of an Overtime Battle
That’s it for this week. If you enjoyed reading this, please forward to a friend. Even if you didn’t enjoy reading it, still tell your friends - misery loves company :)