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Implementing Local and Sustainable Food Programs in California Hospitals: Tips for health care industries on how to conceptualize, structure, and implement food programs that support local family farmers.
This guide provides health care facilities with practical suggestions to utilize sustainable food programs that support local family farmers, ranchers, and associated businesses. It is targeted towards hospital administrators, food service directors, dieticians, and others involved with food purchasing decisions, in the hope that they will implement some of the suggestions presented. This publication integrates the experience of San Francisco Bay Physicians for Social Responsibility (SFPSR) and Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF) with cutting-edge research conducted at UC Davis and UC Santa Cruz concerning the Farm to Institution market that focuses on hospitals and educational systems. Insights into the broader array of sustainable food criteria – such as organic and humanely raised – are referenced in this guide; however, the content concentrates mostly on local sourcing.
Download the FREE PDF (5 MB) here: http://www.caff.org/
This lovely reading of Rachel Carson’s The Sense of Wonder serves to reinforce the knowledge that having the capacity to appreciate the beauty of nature affects our lives in countless positive ways. I listened to this half-hour-long CD on at least five separate occasions and each time came away with something new. Renowned for her influential work Silent Spring and credited widely as the founder of the modern environmental movement, Carson is no less of an inspiring force nearly a half century after her death. The Sense of Wonder relates her experiences of sharing the joy of outdoor discovery with her young nephew, Roger, and is part homage to the wild landscape of Maine and part parenting manual.
Contending that the importance of adult encouragement of natural discovery to a child’s development cannot be overstated, the author feels that all too often mothers and fathers are discouraged from doing so either due to the “inconvenience” of these adventures and/or a feeling of ignorance about how to teach things they themselves do not know. Carson strongly believes that whether or not a particular star, animal, or plant is correctly identified by name misses the point entirely—the true appreciation of nature stems from perception rather than knowledge. The struggle to combat materialism and indifference is centuries-old, of course, but I still found it hard to believe that The Sense of Wonder wasn’t written recently. Though a short work, it is extremely powerful, and I highly recommend it for all.
E-waste is a serious issue, as seen in the documentary Ghana: Digital Dumping Ground. Here is a company that is doing something about it! Global Environmental Services works with an extensive network of OEM(TM)s and product brokers on the recovery side of the electronics industry. They can provide accurate and up to the minute pricing for used technology for any model, configuration, or condition of equipment. GES also has the expertise to provide the same information at the component level. This network allows GES to provide consistent product availability and pricing information. GES works to solve problems, not relocate them. Loading a container and shipping scrap indiscriminately is reckless. They follow best practices of recycling in the best interest of the environment and require all of their downstream partners to do the same. GES is currently being audited to become an e-Steward!
Click here to learn more about Global Environmental Services!
Part 1: Determine a Hierarchy for Managing Hazardous Materials
Part 2: Why Develop a Green Purchasing Plan?
Part 3: Five Ways To Reduce Waste in Commercial Buildings
Part 4: Compliance Considerations for Managing Hazardous Materials
