Are you concerned about where your food comes from? Do you care about the working conditions of farmers and food workers? Is it inconvenient to get to the store? Do you have access to fresh produce in your neighborhood? Are you concerned about meat and poultry packing conditions that threaten your health and that of the workers? Are you worried that corporate giants like Monsanto control a large share of our seed supply?

The U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Department of Agriculture are seeking our comments on consolidation in the food system by December 31, 2009 to inform an upcoming series of workshops on competition and regulation in agriculture (more info at www.justice.gov/atr/public/workshops/ag2010). Please take the time to e-mail your comments to agriculturalworkshops@usdoj.gov, or submit two paper copies of your comments to Legal Policy Section, Antitrust Division, U.S. Department of Justice, 450 5th Street, NW, Suite 11700, Washington, D.C. 20001. All comments received will be publicly posted. Spread the word! Make your voice heard!

Thanks to the folks at Food First for alerting us to this opportunity!

At TakePart.com, Sarah Newman has some great words about celebrating a Thanksgiving that keeps social values at the table:

“Preparing a sustainable meal can be a selfish endeavor; I guarantee you that it will be more fun, tastier and make for a good conversation at your table. However, it’s also about our global community; you’ll meet local farmers, help to prevent the emission of greenhouse gas and the slaughter of animals living under inhumane conditions, and help to foster the establishment of a more equitable food system through your creation of the biggest American meal of the year.”

Read her tips for celebrating a sustainable Thanksgiving at http://tiny.cc/ahArj. Let us hear from YOU — how are you incorporating your values into your Thanksgiving traditions?

And for those of you whose ovens will stay cool tomorrow, consider dining at one of the many Clean Plates-approved restaurants that will be serving Thanksgiving meals, such as Eleven Madison Avenue, Craftsteak, Josephina, Telepan, and more. Log in to our Members section for more!

We are thrilled to announce that Clean Plates has been chosen as a featured selection in this week’s holiday gift guide of Vital Juice NY, a great resource for healthy living in New York. Visit their website to help share the good news! http://tiny.cc/BFjX5

Our minds and bodies are more connected than we realize! This fascinating article by Mark Hyman, M.D. explores the many ways that our diets affect both our mental and physical health. Hyman argues that many common disorders, such as depression, anxiety, memory loss, and attention-deficit disorder, may be linked to nutritional deficiencies. This exciting news means that WE have the power to change how we feel – with a little understanding of the basics of good nutrition. Read today and feel empowered to make positive changes! http://tiny.cc/vEzwA

The Clean Plates newsletter is here! Check out new restaurant reviews, fun nutrition films for kids, and books we love — all with sustainability in mind. Great resources to help you have a mindful, healthy, and delicious holiday season! Read it online at http://cleanplatesnyc.com/newsletter.html.

Don’t miss a special screening tonight of Robert Kenner’s documentary Food, Inc. The film artfully weaves interviews and agribusiness footage to reveal the concentration of power in the American food industry.

Panel discussion to follow, featuring:
Peter Pringle, author of Food, Inc.: Mendel to Monsanto-The Promises and Perils of the Biotech Harvest
Bryan Walsh, staff writer at Time magazine
Marion Nestle, Professor, Department of Nutrition and Food Studies at New York University, and author of Food Politics and What to Eat
Jill Richardson, food activist and author of Recipe for America: Why Our Food System is Broken and How to Fix It, moderator

Presented by the Center for Communication and the Departments of Food Studies and Media Studies and Film at The New School.

The High Cost of Cheap Food:
Food, Inc. Screening & Discussion
Thursday, November 19, 2009, 6:30 p.m.
The New School
Tishman Auditorium
Alvin Johnson/J. M. Kaplan Hall
66 West 12th Street
New York, NY 10011
Free; seating is limited
Reservations are required: www.cencom.org.

The bad news:  New research published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism has shown that hallmarks of the Western diet such as frying, grilling, and smoking cooking techniques, along with processed foods, may increase the risk for chronic diseases such as heart disease and diabetes.

The good news: simple cooking methods such as steaming and stewing, and choosing a diet embracing less-produced foods, may help in decreasing risk. Learn more at http://tiny.cc/mZJVq.

New York food lovers, this event is for you!

Gastropolis

Join the folks at the James Beard Foundation for a discussion of the book Gastropolis: Food & New York City with editors and contributors Annie Hauck-Lawson, Jonathan Deutsch, and Mitchell Davis.

Gastropolis examines the history of food and its social, political, and economic impact on New York City, connecting the dots, through a series of essays, between dining, community, society, and iconic New York foods like the bagel and the knish.

Beard on Books: Gastropolis: Food & New York City
Wednesday, November 18, 12 – 1 pm
The James Beard House Dining Room
167 West 12th Street (between 6th and 7th Avenues)
New York, NY 10011
Students: free; all others: suggested donation, $20
To register: 212-627-2308

Join the Clean Plates team and FeastUp.com for a special screening and panel discussion of

a documentary by natural food chef and entrepreneur Craig King. Clean Plates’ own Jared Koch will moderate the discussion! Use discount code FEASTUP10 for discounted tickets at feastup091118.eventbrite.com

discussion leaders will include:

Here We Grow Screening and Panel Discussion
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Green Spaces
394 Broadway (south of Canal Street)
New York, New York 10013
5:45 pm – Networking
7:00 pm – Movie Screening
8:05 pm – Panel Discussion, Q&A
$25 in advance ($10 discount with code FEASTUP10) / $35 at the door

Our very own Jared Koch has been dubbed the founding member of the Clean Plate Club, according to Well+Good, a fantastic web resource for wellness experiences in New York City! Check out the interview on their blog at wellandgoodnyc.wordpress.com.