Michael Pollan spoke at the Harold Washington Library this evening as part of a Chicago Public Radio and Chicago Public Library event. Michael was interviewed by Bill Kurtis, rancher and journalist. Having Bill, an environmentalist and food critic in his own right, interview Michael added a unique element in that he both questioned and commented on Michael’s thoughts.
Michael Pollan and Bill Kurtis
The event was held in the auditorium along with three overfilled overflow rooms — I was lucky enough to get into the main room (although in the last row). My apologies on the quality of the picture. While I brought my real camera, I thought I might get kicked out for taking too high quality of a picture. The camera phone will have to suffice.
Michael and Bill covered all of the hot topics in food and organics including HCFS, local food, school lunches, and Whole Foods. Michael gave a shout out to local urban farming great Will Allen of Growing Power, last years MacArther winner, for growing food in a sustainable greenhouse in the cold. Here is a quick link to the super hot compost that heats the greenhouse.
Michael also gave the audience a chuckle with his comment, “Salads are overrated.” Working off of his Will Allen comment, a number of audience members wanted to know how do we eat local in the winter. Michael raises a good point. We’re so trained to get whatever kind of vegetable whenever we want it, we assume we should be eating salads in January. As much as Will can get lettuces and spinach growing in March, we should be eating winter, storage vegetables like potatoes and squash.
Finally, Michael talked about school lunches after a great question from a Chicago Public School teacher. How are Chicago Public Schools suppose to teach kids about food and how are they suppose to afford organics. While giving many examples, it is important to note that the School Lunch Reauthorization is this year. Slow Food USA will be starting a campaign to bring better meals to schools.
Michael also plugged David Kessler’s new book The End of Overeating: Taking Control of the Insatiable American Appetite.
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