To the Editor:
I work on a farm in the City of Poughkeepsie. Last week, two groups of Green Teens – inner-city youth from Poughkeepsie and Beacon who participate in a program to learn about many aspects of food – came to the farm. In a skit, we contrasted a nightmare of high fuel prices leading to the suspension of food being transported to our city with a different dream where food is grown in our own neighborhoods, preserving green space and increasing community interaction. Designed to start us thinking about the importance of urban farming and gardening, the skit was intentionally dramatic. Yet, the nightmare scenario we depicted is all too real where rising fuel prices and other factors have directly translated into increased prices and contracted supply of food.
Recent riots in Haiti illustrate a mounting crisis stemming from food insecurity. Some analysts assess that multinational companies are among those best positioned to weather the “perfect storm” leading to higher food prices. This assessment overlooks a growing movement of people who are ensuring that food is produced where we live in a sustainable way – healthy for the earth and ourselves. Recognizing the benefits of diversity, this community food security movement is building a regional food system. It is increasing food security in our local communities. With the support of this movement, producers can choose to reduce the amount of fossil fuels required to produce and transport food and adopt other earth-friendly practices.
The choices of those involved have even broader implications. Our current global food system ties the fate of those who produce and consume food to the fluctuating world prices of oil and commodities, leaving people on the verge of food insecurity and crisis. Supporting a regional food system is a step toward changing the global food system to one that promotes social justice and local self-reliance around the world.
Susan L. Grove
Executive Director
Poughkeepsie Farm Project
To the Editor:
On Feb. 27, I attended a Board of Education meeting at the administration building in Poughkeepsie. This meeting was basically about what and what not should be included in next year’s school budget. There were many other issues discussed like the ninth-grade academy and how much success it is having in increasing the grades of the students participating in it.
I thought the meeting was very informative and well-structured. One of the things I liked about the meeting what that it was very “public-friendly.” During the meeting, there was a lot of time allotted for the public to voice their opinion. For example, at the beginning of the meeting a lady got up, representing an organization, and started voicing her opinion on how important it is that the Poughkeepsie City Schools develop a bridge program, and said the district needed to bring more AP classes to the high school. She stated the facts that she had and all the reasons why this program was left out of former budgets. After she finished the board basically agreed with her statement on how important those programs are.
Another thing I liked is that toward the end of the meeting they completely opened up the floor so anyone could voice their opinion. This resulted in a few seniors in high school getting up and telling the board how they felt about the issues at hand. Personally, I think those programs would be a good addition to our schools. All in all, I had a good experience at the meeting.
Elijah O’Connor
Poughkeepsie High School
To the Editor:
I’m a senior at Poughkeepsie High School, and I attended a Board of Education meeting for the first time. A number of topics were discussed among the board and the public voiced their opinions about issues concerning them. But one item that seemed to strike me the most was the need for better textbooks.
Mr. Zinsley, a history teacher at Poughkeepsie High School, was present at the meeting and discussed the updating of history textbooks. Some qualities of the book include: digital materials, supplementary readings, Regents reviews after every chapter and numerous biographies. The book is also on the proper grade level where the students are capable of learning.
As a senior, I listened carefully to his valid points, which allowed me to recognize the necessity for better books. I pondered on his proposal and remembered how my history class operated. In my class there were few books and some of the content taught wasn’t always present in the book. As students, we should be aware of the material that is taught to us, and as a minority, ask the question, “Why don’t we learn more about African American historical figures?” I always wondered why. I feel overjoyed knowing my voice is heard pertaining to issues that affect everyone in our community.
Raine Tucker-Smith
Poughkeepsie High School
To the Editor:
Westchester County’s Health Commissioner, Dr. Joshua Lipsmann, made this statement last year about Westchester’s smart move to follow Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s example in New York City – and phase out and ban trans fats in restaurants there: “Given what we know about the toxic effects of trans fats, we are expecting 50 to 100 fewer deaths per year as a result of this, and that’s a good thing.”
Common sense says our County Legislature could save at least 15 lives a year here this way (Dutchess has about one-third the population of Westchester).
So, speak up to make this happen – this Wednesday, May 7 at 7 p.m. during our County Legislature’s Government Services and Administration Committee meeting on the sixth floor of our County Office Building at 22 Market St. in Poughkeepsie.
Fact: A recent study found that 23 percent of coronary heart disease events could be avoided by replacing trans-fats with healthier alternatives.
Fact: According to our county’s own Health Department, as it is now 40 percent of our county’s restaurants already don’t use cooking oils with trans fat – and in Rhinebeck alone there are at least eight restaurants proving great food can be made without trans fats: Foster’s Coach House, Pete’s Famous Restaurant, Terrapin, Gigi Trattoria, La Boccia Pizzeria, Francesca’s Restaurant and Pizzeria, Tanjore, and Jade Palace.
Fact: McDonald’s, Burger King, Wendy’s, Taco Bell, Dunkin’ Donuts, KFC, Pizzeria Uno, Boston Pizza, Starbucks, Denny’s, Applebee’s, Red Lobster, Olive Garden, et. al. have also made a commitment to phase out using trans fats (see BanTransFats.com).
Fact: Trans-fat-free oils like olive, soybean, safflower, sunflower and canola oils are easy to find and have dropped in price – and there well over 20 different distributors of trans-fat-free frying oils – including ADM, Asoyia, Cargill, Conagra-Wesson, Sams, Sysco, Ventura, US Foodservice, et. al. Call 876-2488 for more information.
Joel Tyner
County Legislator, Clinton/Rhinebeck