Nutrient Density Alliance

Are you a west coaster interested in the connection between soil health and human health? This Soil Craft Conference looks like a winner, and all the more so with one of our valued members Joni Kindwall-Moore leading a panel on connecting markets with regenerative grown crops. 🐞 One of our favorite topics, Rebuilding the #SoilMicrobiome is also on the docket. We see great connections between health of the microbes in the soil and the health of the human gut microbiome which influences human health immensely. 🐛 When we create healthy soil, we are creating healthier food.

The U.S. #FarmBill is at a crucial juncture as it awaits reauthorization, with significant points of contention around funding, climate change, and SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program). These issues are essential for the future of our food systems and deserve our attention. 🌟 Check out this article that dives into how the HEAL Food Alliance's five Farm Bill priorities have been addressed—or sidelined—in the current proposals.  These critical priorities are: 1.   Securing Dignity and Fairness for food chain workers 2.   Providing opportunities for all producers (more access to land and #regenerative and #organic practices) 3.   Investing in communities, not corporations 4.   Nourishing people (via #nutrientdense foods!) 5.   Ensuring the survival of ecosystems and the planet    We must advocate for a Farm Bill that reflects these values and priorities. Let's continue to educate ourselves and push for meaningful change in our agricultural policies that will serve planetary health, equity and wellbeing for all.  https://lnkd.in/getd-3Hi

Everyone wins when we embrace more agroecological/regenerative/organic growing practices! 👉🏽Growers 👉🏽Eaters 👉🏽Retailers 👉🏽Brands 👉🏽Health Professionals 👉🏽Dietitian/Nutritionists 👉🏽Chefs & Food Service Professionals. 👉🏽Farmworkers 👉🏽Animals & wildlife 👉🏽 Environmental orgs and activists 🥗 We create healthier food and a healthier environment. How are you advocating for nature-based agriculture in your sector? Thanks to Rodale Institute for their commitment, their advocacy and their research.

If you want insights into the companies embracing #regenerativeagriculture as well as the why and the how, check out this terrific Q & A article with Prepared Foods Magazine & Nutrient Density Alliance co-founder Tina Owens. She discusses how this climate-friendly and soil-building approach to growing food has been gaining more momentum and is positioned to become a powerful catalyst for transformative change in 2025. (CPG's, Food Service Professionals: Take note!) A few takeaways: 💮 "Sixty-eight of the top 100 food companies on the planet all had a specific commitment or mention of regenerative agriculture by the beginning of this year." 🚀  "2024, also was the year that institutional shareholder interest started ramping up in earnest for how CPGs commit and communicate the benefits of their regenerative agriculture programs." 🌻 "If we want to reward different system outcomes, then balancing separate production and offtake needs with fair pricing for farmers is still a place where considerable work needs to be done." 🤝🏽 "The reality is that those in leadership positions need the clear business mandate to...acknowledge the validity of a wide array of principles on everything from continuous living cover in fields, to the role of communities in stewarding land...that can give executive leadership the tools they need to support a strategy. Not just a procurement strategy, or a sustainability strategy, but a company and system-level strategy" To this, we cheer hear hear! Happy New Year!

Connections between agriculture and nutrition? Yes! 👩🏽⚕️ Recent research indicates that nutrient content in crops has significantly decreased due to agricultural practices, soil management, and climate change. This decline poses serious risks to public health, with many Americans lacking essential micronutrients. 👉🏽 The Institute for Functional Medicine article considers these key points: Soil Health: Healthy soil is vital for nutrient-rich crops, yet it’s deteriorating due to intensive farming and land-use changes. 👆🏽 Climate Impact: Rising CO2 levels may reduce essential minerals in plants, shifting the nutritional balance. 💯 Organic Advantage: Organic foods often contain higher levels of beneficial compounds and reduce exposure to pesticides. ✴️ As those interested in health and sustainability, let’s advocate for practices that improve soil health and crop nutrient density. Take a look at this article for more information. https://lnkd.in/dZ3MnGKq

How do we begin to make meaningful strides towards helping citizen eaters connect the dots between agricultural practices that nourish the soil, and their health? This incredible podcast episode interviewing trailblazer Ryan Pintado-Vertner of Smoketown, LLC and hosted by the ever-insightful Anthony Corsaro (AC) and Kyle Krull of ReGen Brands provides some thoughtful ideas and tactics. 🥗 It is undeniable that healthier soil produces more nutritious food, and that people want nutrient-rich vittles! Helping them to understand that choosing food with a focus on #soilhealth = healthier can be a pathway to transforming our food and ag system to protect our environment, reduce biodiversity loss and mitigate the climate crisis. 🔗 #nutrientdensity accompanied by better flavor (the two are inextricably linked) is the "unlock" to making this happen. We were tickled to get a shout-out on the episode! ⚕️ Bring the #foodismedicine and #foodequity into the conversation and we can begin to create true transformation. They are all connected. 👁️🗨️ Keep an eye out. We're hosting a webinar with Ryan on the regen ag and nutrient density connection on February 20th at 12pm PST

Spreading the word about this film that celebrates regenerative ag. 👍🏽 In a powerful modern-day echo of Upton Sinclair’s The Jungle, this upcoming documentary exposes the systemic greed and exploitation that have defined America’s industrial meat for generations. It raises critical questions about the commodification of ecosystems and the devastating costs to both people and the planet. 🐮 The film also highlights Grass Grazed LLC (one of our members) showcasing a regenerative and equitable approach to livestock farming that prioritizes sustainability, animal welfare, and community resilience. 🌟 By integrating indigenous knowledge and wisdom, the documentary explores how we can transform our food system into one that truly benefits both humanity and the environment. ▶️ Supported by The Rogovy Foundation this film is a testament to the power of storytelling to inspire systemic change.  https://lnkd.in/gxzpE5jK 

Pesticides not only harm the environment, wildlife, and pollinators, and may affect the health of those applying them or consuming them from residues, but they can also impact the cellular mechanisms of plants, resulting in subdued flavor and sweetness, as well as a lower nutritional value. ⁉️ Do we need another reason to emphasize that #regenerative #organic and #agroceolcogical practices that serve our planetary health need to be incentivized, advocated for and recommended? 😋 Flavor is one reason consumers choose food! If they know that it will taste better when it's grown in concert with nature, there's an increased likelihood they may make that choice or advocate for that choice. (Access and affordability play a role here too, we know!) 🍓 Great, simple and necessary read: "Are your strawberries bland? Pesticides could be to blame" https://lnkd.in/gmgfC7bA

When soil is healthier, the food grown in it tends to be more nutrient-rich, which tends to have positive impacts on health, specifically immune health. 🤓 If you're seeking research and clinical insights about how to improve overall immune function via nutrition, including the role that food grown (and raised) using #organic and #regenerative practices, this free 2 hour webinar and panel is a great opportunity for learning. 🐞 Our Managing Director Mary Purdy, will be speaking to the the #soilhealth and nutrition connection, specifically touching on the role of the #gutmicrobiome. ➡️ This event with leaders in the field of nutrition, brain health, functional medicine and regenerative agriculture is not to be missed. Did we mention that it's free? #foodismedicine #soilismedicine