I've been very blessed over the span of my career to meet some of the world's most famous rockstars, world-class athletes and the country's top culinary talent. But today was my first time in the presence of royalty - the Prince of Wales aka Prince Charles. While I only heard the tail end of his Key Note address at the Future of Food conference today organized by the Washington Post Live, Georgetown University's Gaston Hall was a buzz over his presence and his thoughts on sustainable agriculture. A lifelong environmental advocate and organic farmer himself, he created the International Sustainability Unit to resolve some of the key environmental challenges facing the world with a focus on food security, ecosystem resilience and the depletion of natural capital.
He wasn't the only high-profile food or sustainability advocate at the conference. The agenda read like a who's who of the sustainability movement. Dan Barber, Chef and Owner of Blue Hill restaurant, check. White House Senior Policy Advisor and Assistant Chef, check. Marion Nestle, author, check. Wendell Berry, check. Eric Schlosser, Author of Fast Food Nation, check. And the list goes on.
The conference covered a variety of topics including how ordinary people can make a difference to the future of agriculture and international food to health and nutrition. While everyone in attendance had a different perspective on how to tackle the food, agriculture, and nutrition issues we currently face in this country there was one thing that could be agreed upon - the Food Movement is growing and will only get bigger (thanks Marion Nestle). And that in and of itself is huge - the bigger it gets the greater the opportunity for each and everyone one of us to make a difference.
Which leads me to the question... How will you make a difference? What will you do tomorrow that you aren't doing today? I already shop at my local farmers market and buy organic when possible. When I was growing my own herbs I used organic soil and natural plant food, which produced the most beautiful and tasty herbs I'd ever grown. But now I need to challenge myself to step out of my comfort zone and think about how I can make an even bigger difference. I'd love to hear what you're going to do.
He wasn't the only high-profile food or sustainability advocate at the conference. The agenda read like a who's who of the sustainability movement. Dan Barber, Chef and Owner of Blue Hill restaurant, check. White House Senior Policy Advisor and Assistant Chef, check. Marion Nestle, author, check. Wendell Berry, check. Eric Schlosser, Author of Fast Food Nation, check. And the list goes on.
The conference covered a variety of topics including how ordinary people can make a difference to the future of agriculture and international food to health and nutrition. While everyone in attendance had a different perspective on how to tackle the food, agriculture, and nutrition issues we currently face in this country there was one thing that could be agreed upon - the Food Movement is growing and will only get bigger (thanks Marion Nestle). And that in and of itself is huge - the bigger it gets the greater the opportunity for each and everyone one of us to make a difference.
Which leads me to the question... How will you make a difference? What will you do tomorrow that you aren't doing today? I already shop at my local farmers market and buy organic when possible. When I was growing my own herbs I used organic soil and natural plant food, which produced the most beautiful and tasty herbs I'd ever grown. But now I need to challenge myself to step out of my comfort zone and think about how I can make an even bigger difference. I'd love to hear what you're going to do.
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