
Chefs Collaborate to Promote Healthy Soil and a Green Tomorrow
- foodfightadmin
- May 26, 2023
- Advocacy, Agriculture, Climate Change, Hunger In America
- rsc pages
- 0 Comments
The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) collaborated with chefs across the nation to raise awareness about the vital connection between soil health and resilient food systems.
Through NRDC‘s Chefs for Healthy Soils program, chefs have become effective conduits for communication between food producers and consumers. By sourcing ingredients from producers who prioritize regenerative agriculture practices, chefs demonstrate their support for the health of our planet. By sharing the story of the food and its cultivation methods with diners, they help individuals understand the impact of their dietary choices on the environment.
Chef Adrian Lipscombe, Founder of the 40 Acres Project and a member of the Chefs for Healthy Soils program, emphasizes the collective power we possess to revolutionize our food systems, making them more equitable, healthy, and environmentally friendly. For Lipscombe, participation in the program provides an opportunity to connect with like-minded chefs who share the common goal of safeguarding our local ecosystems.
NRDC provides support to member chefs, empowering them to meet with legislators, publish op-eds, host educational events, and utilize social media platforms to amplify their message.
Research conducted by NRDC reveals that conventional farming practices contribute to soil degradation, environmental pollution, and a decline in biodiversity. By implementing practices that enhance soil health, producers can sequester carbon, protect waterways, and preserve wildlife habitats.
Chefs who serve as ambassadors for Chefs for Healthy Soils include Crystal Wahpepah of Wahpepah’s Kitchen, Matthew Kenney of Ayre, Katarina Petonito and Rochelle Cooper of The Duck & The Peach, Matthew McClure of Woodstock Inn & Resort, Bryce Gilmore of Odd Duck, and Vincent Medina and Luis Trevino of Cafe Ohlone.
To advance the efforts of the Chefs for Healthy Soils program, NRDC recently formed partnerships with The James Beard Foundation, Niman Ranch, Zero Foodprint, and Baldor. Together, they organized a series of lobby days in Washington, D.C., where chefs from across the country participated in training sessions with soil scientists and farmers who implement regenerative agriculture practices. They also engaged in discussions with key legislators to garner support for the COVER Act, which seeks to expand the use of cover crops on farms.