The Wonderful World of Cheese

There are few things I find more enjoyable than cheese. Be it melted or cold, by itself or incorporated into a dish, I consider cheese to be the utmost in culinary delight. When it comes to which variety or brand of cheese to eat, however, the choices can be complex. Cheese can come from cows, goats, buffalo, or sheep. Some varieties of cheese are more or less energy intensive, and some farms even make organic cheese. While I consider all cheese to be good, having an environmentally sound cheese can make it truly great. I therefore hope to provide a slice of guidance on how to find eco-conscious, delectable cheese. Food Miles The easiest and perhaps most effective way of making eco-conscious decisions about cheese depends on the location of origin. Knowing your approximate distance from different locations can help you determine how far your block of cheese traveled to reach you. While there are some specific regions in the United States—such as Vermont, Wisconsin, and California—that are well known for their cheeses, a local version might be just as delightful. If the above are your only choices for cheese decisions, however, it is very important to know which one of these national cheese havens is closest to you. The closer the origin, the less fuel used in transport. If you cannot find cheese produced in your state at your grocery store, a local farmer’s market might be the place to find it. Many farmers make their own cheese and bring it to sell. This fresh cheese can be some of the most delicious and most environmentally sound. The Organic Option Organic cheese is another way to be environmental about your delicious decisions. Organic cheeses are those that have many specific features, including:

• all organic animal feed, meaning produced without chemical fertilizers, pesticides, or genetically modified grain
• no antibiotics are given to the milk producing animals
• beyond milk, all other ingredients of the cheese must be organically produced

These tight restrictions can yield very delicious cheese from organic farms. Some farms will go beyond organic, offering cheese from grass-fed animals or from animals that live in a free-range environment. These practiced are in place to ensure that the cheese-producing animals are treated well. And so, organic cheese is a good option for great tasting and environmentally friendly cheese. Energy Intense Varieties Cheese.com provides a great deal of information about cheese, including which varieties take more energy to make. Generally, the rule of thumb to follow is the softer the cheese, the less energy use. This rule means very soft cheeses such as ricotta, cottage, and cream cheese the least energy intensive (and consequently the easiest to make at home if you so desire). Those with a bloomy or white rind such as brie or camembert require more energy, and even more for “washed-rind cheeses” which generally have a orange or yellow colored soft rind. Pressed, uncooked cheeses such as cheddar are often considered “semi-hard” and require a more intensive process of coagulation. The pressed, cooked cheeses such as Parmesan are generally known as the hard cheese and require even more energy in the cooking process. The major exception to the softest to hardest rule of thumb is that of processed cheese such as American. Processed cheese is made by taking a previous forms of cheese, often the pressed cooked or uncooked, and melting it down. The manufacturers then add a variety of different ingredients at high temperatures, stretch it out, slice it, and package the cheese. Processed cheese is, probably unsurprisingly, the least eco-conscious variety. So, the next time you peruse the cheese isle or explore the farmer’s market coolers for a delicious luxurious treat, I hope you will consider these tips to keep your enjoyment of cheese environmentally sound. Image Credit: IGourmet.com, The Sun Blog, Artisanal Cheese, Vivant Fine Cheese

Chocolate Has Never Been So Divine

Chocolate is one of life’s simple pleasures. While the luxurious storefronts of Godiva and Ghirardelli showcase some decadent and delightful treats, there are other companies that take a different approach. Introducing Divine Chocolates. This is a direct chocolate company: the farmers in Ghana who grow the cocoa own a large percentage of the company and are active decision-makers about large-scale operations. Divine Organization In the 1990s, a group of farmers in Ghana pooled together and set up a farmers’ co-op, Kuapa Kokoo. This co-op managed the selling of the cocoa and empowered the farmers by giving them direct control of their situation. By using honest practices, Kuapa Kokoo was able to attract a large membership. They were also able to gain fair trade certification, ensuring better returns for their farmers. In 1997, the members of Kuapa Kokoo decided to take even more control over their situation and voted to create their own chocolate company. With the investment of several socially responsible organizations, Divine Chocolates was created. As owners, the farmers have input into the sale and production of the final product. For the farmers and owners in Ghana, the fair trade benefits as well as the success that Divine Chocolates has had has meant a great amount of money has been able to build schools, sink wells, provide medical care, and improve the condition for women. The Products Divine Chocolates specializes in delicious chocolates for any occasion. They offer a selection of dark, milk, and white chocolate with a variety of different fillings and flavorings. There are also smaller crunch bars as well as toffee bars. For those of you searching for a decadent flavor, try the White Chocolate with Strawberries. For a heartier bar, check out the Fruit and Nut Dark Chocolate. Opportunities If you want to enjoy some delicious treats and support an environmental and socially responsible organization, there are many opportunities. Beyond ordering chocolate for your personal enjoyment, Divine Chocolates sell tubs of 200 mini bars to be used as party favors or incorporated in a beautiful centerpiece. Divine Chocolates also makes it easy for you if you choose to host a fundraiser or create a lesson plan to teach about fair trade in the classroom. Check out their website, look for them in your local store, or at an event across the country or in the UK. Image Credit: Divine Chocolates

Organic Gardens Thrive in DC: USDA People's Garden

The White House Kitchen Garden has started a fresh veggie trend in Washington, DC.  The US Department of Agriculture announced expanded plans for the People's Garden surrounding their headquarters on the Mall last month to celebrate Earth Day.

The current landscape around the Whitten Building includes grass lawns, flower borders, and concrete.  The new plans for the sprawling 6-acre space include a 1,300 square foot vegetable garden - slightly bigger than the White House Garden, flower gardens, and bioswales that help reduce pollution.

The organic garden will feature 3 different types of planting - in-ground, raised beds, and containers - to demonstrate the versatility of organic farming.  The garden is designed to be an educational tool for both farmers and the general public, but will also supply fresh, organic vegetables to local food banks.  

The People's Garden will produce a variety of seasonal foods.  Squash and tomatoes are part of the summer harvest line-up, while kale, spinach, and lettuce are a few plants planned for cooler months.  The garden will also include a traditional American Indian planting called a 'three sisters garden', featuring pole beans, corn, and squash in a sustainable arrangement.  

Organic farming is the first step to a healthier nation and a sustainable planet.  The USDA People's Garden shows us just how easy it is to grow our own fresh fruits and vegetables at home - if you're not sure what's in your soil (chemicals, contaminants, etc.), consider a raised planting area; when space is a concern, plant a container garden.  

The garden's visionary, secretary Tom Vilsack, said to the Washington Post, "... nothing tastes better than a tomato you grow."  A small, organic container garden is a great place to start wherever you are!

Source:The Philadelphia Inquirer

Images: NatalieMaynor, Abri_Beluga

Parducci – The First Carbon Neutral Winery

The next time you toast your wine glass, will the Merlot or Zinfandel you drink come from an earth-friendly establishment? Are they making as many strides in favor of the environment as Parducci Wine Cellars – a California-based, family-farmed business with an impressive commitment to sustainable winegrowing? With many onsite improvements and the help of carbon credits, Parducci is known as the first winery in the United States to successfully reach a carbon neutral status. Thanks to the California Climate Action Registry, Parducci was able to calculate their greenhouse gas emissions, which prompted the changes we now see all around the board. Within three years, the winery and vineyards were outfitted with solar energy features, installed fluorescent lighting, embraced a local tree-planting program, and powered their company vehicles and farm equipment with biodiesel, a cleaner-burning diesel fuel made from natural, renewable sources (like vegetable oils). Earth-Friendly Farming Practices Parducci follows farming practices that produce certified organic, sustainable, and biodynamic results. For example, California Certified Organic Farmers has certified the winery for their synthetic, chemical-free approach towards protecting and cultivating their biodynamic vineyards. Instead, Parducci grapes rely on the power of living organisms and other natural methods of pest control. The winery has also received a Fish Friendly Farming stamp of approval for the restoration of fish and wildlife habitats, as well as improved water quality in vineyards. Non-Toxic Packaging Parducci has even taken their earth-friendly approach in winemaking to include their packaging choices. To help decrease consumer waste and avoid the butchering of forests, 100% post-consumer (New Leaf) and tree-free (Kenaf) papers are used for their stationery, brochures, and all other printed materials. Chlorine-free corrugated cardboard is fashioned into case boxes. Soy-based inks decorate packing cartons and labels. Uncork Parducci Haven't sampled Parducci wine yet? Join the club or order a bottle now. Image Credits: Parducci

Spill the Beans – An Eco-Friendly Coffee Approach

When you're looking for an eco-friendly jolt of java, don't become intimidated by the assortment of labels attached to the fresh scent of caffeine found at your local retailers and specialty shops. What exactly does Fair Trade mean? And, what makes a coffee bean organic? Hopefully, I can shed a bit of light on how to take an eco-friendly approach towards your next cup of coffee. Fair Trade Certified Have you ever come across the International Fairtrade Certification Mark when purchasing a product? Fair Trade products mean that the workers providing the beans for your next mocha chocolate latte have been paid a living wage of at least $1.26 per pound. You're probably wondering how fair pay is eco-friendly, but if workers are able to make sustainable wages, then farmers are not forced to follow practices that cause harm to the environment. If you don’t see a "Fair Trade Certified" logo, then you're more than likely not buying Fair Trade coffee beans. USDA-Certified Organic Thanks to the United States Department of Agriculture, the certifications of coffee beans under this category are monitored, as well as grown without the aid of chemical-ridden pesticides, fertilizers, and herbicides. When following organic farming practices, the local ecosystem benefits. Farmers, workers, and residents aren’t exposed to hazardous chemicals. Most importantly, you do not consume any chemicals when sipping on a fresh cup of organic coffee. Shade Grown Sadly, some coffee producers destroy rainforests and other pieces of land in order to provide direct sunlight for the growth of their beans. In the process, a great deal of natural habitat for many migratory birds and other native species is lost. To make matters worse, coffee crops suffer attacks from pests that enjoy the open invitation of shadeless plants. As a result, farmers resort to harmful fertilizers and pesticides. If you purchase shade-grown coffee beans, the surrounding forest was left intact, which does not threaten rainforest conservation or species preservation. Shade-grown coffee is also identified with certified seals and labels from the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center (SMBC) or the Rainforest Alliance. Rainforest Alliance Certified Purchasing coffee that carries the Rainforest Alliance seal of approval means that the coffee was grown in the shade with the use of low to zero pesticides. Workers were also cared for under the standards of the International Labor Organization. Sustainable practices are verified when farms meet requirements, including the presence and maintenance of diverse species. Where to Get Eco-Friendly Coffee? National chains, such as Safeway and Trader Joes, carry fair trade coffee. You can find organic and fair-trade selections at health food stores and specialty shops. If you still need help locating fair trade coffee in your neck of the woods, contact Transfair USA at 510-663-5260 or visit www.transfairusa.org. Mail order and online retailers are also excellent sources of eco-friendly coffee, including the following businesses:

• Peace Coffee – Organic and Shade Grown (888) 324-7872
• Organic Coffee Co. – Organic (800) 829-1300
• Sacred Grounds – Organic (800) 425-2532
• Green Mountain Coffee – Fair Trade and Organic (800) 223-6768
• Global Exchange – Fair Trade (800) 497-1994, ext. 237
• Café Mam – Organic & Fair Trade (888) 223-3626