The Farmplate Blog

Whole Foods Raises Awareness Of Declining Bee Populations
FarmPlate Jun 18, 2013 News 0 comments
The precipitous decline of bee populations isn't groundbreaking news. It is, however, startling to see exactly how it would impact daily life. Whole Foods recently pulled produce off the shelves to illustrate just how much would disappear without any bees to pollinate the plants. Whole Foods explains: "One of every three bites of food comes from plants pollinated by honeybees and other pollinators. Yet, major declines in bee populations threaten the availability of many fresh ingredients consumers rely on for their dinner tables. To raise awareness of just how crucial pollinators are to our food system, the University Heights Whole Foods Market store temporarily removed all produce that...
Rhubarb Streusel Muffins
FarmPlate Jun 11, 2013 Recipes 0 comments
As spring turns to summer, it's time to use up that spring produce with these delicious rhubarb streusel muffins. They would be perfect for a lazy brunch outside or a weekend picnic treat! Image from Smitten Kitchen RHUBARB STREUSEL MUFFINSadapted from Smitten Kitchen For the Streusel: 1/4 cup all-purpose flour 1/4 cup white whole wheat flour 1 Tbs. granulated sugar 3 Tbs. brown sugar 1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon Pinch of nutmeg Pinch of salt 3 Tbs. unsalted butter, melted For the Muffins: 1 large egg 1/4 cup brown sugar 3 Tbs. granulated sugar 5 Tbs. unsalted butter, melted and cooled to lukewarm 3/4 cup sour cream 1 cup white whole wheat flour 1/2 cup all-purpose flour 1 1/2 tsp. baking...
Third graders Ask McDonald’s to Stop Marketing to Kids
FarmPlate Jun 05, 2013 News 0 comments
During a school trip to McDonald's, 9-year-old Hannah Robertson handed Ronald McDonald a letter addressed to McDonald's CEO Don Thompson. She asked that the fast-food chain stop marketing to children and instead put the 115 million dollars spent on Happy Meal advertising back into McDonald Charity Houses. At a recent McDonald's shareholder meeting Thompson said they were not "unjustly" marketing toward children, even though Ronald regularly pays visits to elementary schools. "[Thompson] claimed, 'We’re not marketing to schools. We don’t do that.' Even though Ronald McDonald — or really, guys dressed up in the ridiculous clown costume — regularly visit public schools as part of the charity...
Economic Development Organization Fights Food Deserts in Birmingham
FarmPlate May 30, 2013 News 1 comments
The statistics out of Birmingham, Alabama are shocking: more than 40 percent of residents live in a neighborhood that has been classified as a food desert- an area that has little or no access to fresh, healthy, or affordable food. Perhaps not so surprising are the consequences of this- almost three-quarters of residents are overweight or obese, and more than 11 percent of adults have been diagnosed with diabetes. REV Birmingham is an economic development organization that has partnered with local neighborhood groups to promote public markets where residents can find the fresh fruits and vegetables that are missing from their corner markets. "Leading an effort to reverse this trend is...
Garlic Scape & White Bean Soup
Sarah Hebbel-Stone May 28, 2013 Recipes 0 comments
It's that time of year when garlic scapes start to curl their way around tables at farmers' markets and overflow CSA boxes. This once-forgotten stalk of the garlic plant is edible and delicious, and has started to pop up in recipes from dips and pestos to soups and pizzas. Today we have a soup recipe from Local Kitchen that highlights this vibrant spring treat. This soup can easily be made vegetarian by using vegetable stock, and even vegan by substituting olive oil for the butter.                            Image courtesy of Local Kitchen GARLIC SCAPE & WHITE BEAN SOUPAdapted from Local Kitchen 3 Tbs. butter1 large...