Update: Food Recalls, Farm Aid, My iPod Playlist

July 26th, 2009 - Barbara Feiner

Romaine, Cookie Dough Recalls

We have a new recall to report: romaine lettuce from Salinas, Calif.-based Tanimura & Antle. The company sells artisan lettuces and specialty vegetables.

As for the Nestle cookie dough recall, the Associated Press reveals that the company had refused to supply reports to the FDA over the last 5 years—not illegal, but certainly noteworthy as U.S. food-safety incidents pile up.

As consumers, we need to put pressure on mainstream and organic companies to comply with FDA inspectors’ requests—even the voluntary ones.

Farm Aid Adds Artists

Farm Aid has signed new artists for its Oct. 4 concert.

“We’re looking forward to welcoming Jason Mraz and Phosphorescent to the Farm Aid family, and having Wilco and Jamey Johnson back to Farm Aid this year,” says Carolyn Mugar, executive director. “Every year, artists and bands donate their time to perform on the Farm Aid stage, raising funds and awareness about the critical contributions family farmers make to our country.”

Farm Aid seeks to build a vibrant, family farm-centered system of agriculture in America.

What’s on My iPod?

I can’t get enough of Jason Mraz’s We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things—and not just because he’s supporting Farm Aid.

Science geek that I am, I’m finishing up Mary Roach’s audiobook Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers. It’s also available in paperback. Great info about the human body, but not recommended for those with queasy stomachs!

Photo courtesy of Tanimura & Antle

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Solar Flowers Bloom in NYC

July 23rd, 2009 - Barbara Feiner

The plaza at New York City’s famed Flatiron Building will be flanked through Aug. 2 by “Solar Flowers” up to 18 feet high.

The oversized sculptures are partially powered by solar panels on their petals and stems.

Each flower can seat up to 10 people, who can access free Wi-Fi service and charge cell phones and laptops. Charging stations will be available 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.

The flowers are part of Toyota’s 2010 Prius advertising campaign, whose theme is “harmony between man, nature and machine.”

After their New York run, the flowers will travel to Chicago, Seattle, San Francisco and Los Angeles.

For Your Organic Bookshelf: Plug-in Hybrids: The Cars That Will Recharge America

Photo courtesy of Toyota

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