Golden comet laying hens. Photo by Mary Claire Bouchér
Deciding what to put on your plate these days may pose a conundrum.
Uncertainty. That about sums up the mental state we find ourselves in lately. Each day presents new challenges, confusing situations, and fresh concerns about policies and funding changes that affect us. They even extend to kitchen table issues.
Unquestionably, the food industry has been greatly affected, with deportations and tariffs slamming the agricultural, grocery, and hospitality industries hard. Food supplies, grocery prices, and restaurant services all are taking a hit.
Certain food safety measures also have been eliminated or minimized by the current administration, leaving some mealtime mainstays — such as milk, meat, poultry, and eggs — potentially less safe and more worrisome. Add to that emerging research questioning the chemical safety of foods that are regular parts of our diets.
It may all feel confusing, but hopefully we can help. In this issue, edible Reno-Tahoe takes on a few topical issues affecting our area.
Of course, chief among these is the issue of eggs — the shortage and price of which seemingly swayed an entire election. And you certainly can’t have eggs without chickens, so we’ve explored the avian flu and its ramifications on local farms and markets.
Products containing food dyes. Photo by Lou Manna
The Food and Drug Administration has recently raised concerns about the dangers of artificial food dyes. In the pages to follow, we uncover the disquieting information about these additives and share how one local woman helped her own child and inspired a nationwide movement to help others.
Microplastics find their way into our water and many foods we eat
The discovery of the presence of microplastics inside our food supply and bodies made shock waves in the scientific community. Read about national and local concerns on this topic, as well as some practical suggestions to help you navigate through these uncertain times.
In the following pages, you’ll meet some folks who are working diligently to address these and other concerns that affect how you eat and drink in Reno-Tahoe.
“I do not like green eggs and ham! I do not like them, Sam I am!”
With those lyrical, rhyming words, Dr. Seuss gave us one of our first lessons in the incredible power that food’s color holds over us. What we didn’t know at the time was that it’s a cautionary tale.
