Best known for its 1880s-style faades and view of the trio of towering mountains its named after, Sisters is downright adorable but has probably always been a pit stop on your journeysnever the destination.

After all, you can gaze at the Three Sisters from Bend, a much larger city 30 minutes east thats packed with breweries, bike trails and boutiques. Over the past few decades, its grown into Oregons ultimate destination for outdoor adventure. Sisters, meanwhile, developed a sleepier reputation as a hub for quilt-loving grandmas (the town hosts the worlds largest outdoor quilt show) who would also be delighted by the sight of a Bi-Mart that looks like a Wild West mercantile, and public trash cans made of wooden barrels.

But thats all changing.

Thanks to the opening of a variety of new businesses, this town of approximately 3,000 has started to attract a livelier crowd. Last year alone saw the launch of a ski chalet-themed taphouse-hotel in the heart of downtown, an off-the-main-drag brewery specializing in wild-fermented ales, and an indoor-outdoor food cart pod anchored by a bar that looks like a rustic sanctuary. Thats not to mention the areas abundance of trails, shimmering lakes and rivers stocked with kokanee, whitefish and trout, as well as ranches where you can play cowboy by hopping on a horse and riding through ponderosa forests.

Better yet: Youre not in Bend, so youll rarely end up lingering in a line, and theres always an open picnic table or barstool. So when Central Oregon calls to you this summer, break tradition and embrace Sisters Old West charm.

Friday Night

Sleep Above a Ski Lodge-Themed Taphouse

Unless you once called Sisters home, youve probably never heard of the Ski Inn (310 E Cascade Ave., sisterstaphousehotel.com). The breakfast-and-burger cafe had been adored by locals since 1971, but it never achieved the status of tourist destination. However, with the Ski Inns relaunch, the out-of-towners are calling. There is no direct tie between the boutique hotel and taproom, which opened in June 2021, and the original diner, which was wiped out by a massive pine that toppled over in a windstorm. But Ski Inn owner and Bend-based builder Jim Yozamp did keep the name as a tribute.

Though only a year old, the reclaimed brick, rustic wood and distressed steel details authentically age the first-floor baran ambience Yozamp was aiming for. When people ask me if this was an old mechanic shop, he explains, I couldnt be more proud. Of course, your ultra-modern room upstairs gives away the ruse. Its still somewhat rare to find a bar-and-bed combo, but Yozamp says adding a second floor for overnight accommodations was the plan from the outset. Were just happy it all penciled out, giving Sisters its only lodging option in the center of the community and beer-loving visitors an easy route to stagger back to their rooms.

Oregon Summer Guide (ross chandler)

Eat All the Smoked Meats

After your lobbyless check-in (door codes are emailed), theres no need to travel far for dinner, particularly after a three-hour drive. Head downstairs to the Taphouse, where the menu centers on an industrial-sized smoker out back. When available, order the smoke shack sampler and be prepared to share. The massive platter of brisket, ribs, dry-rubbed wings, sweet potato wedges, and chips with queso is a substantial roundup of the pubs meats and snacks. Though that would mean missing out on the campfire-tinged, beer-braised pulled pork, which does wonders to a burrito smothered in cheese and verde gravy as well as a nacho plate. Vow to return and order more, then take a beer from one of the 16 taps up to your balcony, accessible to overnight guests only. Sink into one of the Adirondack chairs assembled out of actual skis and enjoy the impressive view of the mountains in the distance and Highway 20 traffic below you.

Oregon Summer Guide

Saturday Morning

Journey Into the Wild Blue Yonder

Distance: 5.4 miles Difficulty Level: Moderate Start Point: West Metolius Trailhead in the Lower Canyon Creek Campground Elevation Gain: 100 ft

Travelers drawn to water are always searching for the perfect blue, whether thats the turquoise waters of the Caribbean, Icelands sapphire lagoons, or the cobalt-colored lakes of the U.S. mountain ranges. Somehow, the Metolius River dazzles in each of those shades and more, making it perhaps the most stunning of all the states waterways.

Emerging near the base of Black Butte, the Metolius is one of the largest spring-fed rivers in the country, and the best route to follow a portion of its 29-mile path begins at a small campground 30 minutes northwest of Sisters. The trail never veers from the water, which is, at times, placid and teal, then moments later youll be strolling by a section of indigo-hued thundering rapids. The Metolius fickle nature attracts both fly fishers hoping to snag a kokanee or trout as well as turbulence-seeking kayakers.

About 2 miles in, the whitewater is split by a chain of small islands covered in wildflowers like lupine and Pecks penstemon, which grows only in the Sisters area. Soon, the trail climbs higher, placing you above the river instead of right next to it. Youll then reach the Wizard Falls Fish Hatchery (7500 Forest Service Road 14, Camp Sherman, 541-595-6611), which raises spring Chinook and summer steelhead that end up in tributaries across the Deschutes River Basin. Since the 35-acre state-run site is open to the public, youre free to wander the grounds. Dont forget to bring quarters25 cents gets you a handful of pellets from a candy dispensing-style machine. Watch in glee as the fish whip themselves into a whirlpool as they race to get to the food.

Oregon Summer Guide

Saturday Afternoon

Have Lunch at a Butcher Block

This artisanal butchery is known for its top-quality cold case cuts, wide variety of brats, as well as an impressive lineup of smoked sausages and cheeses, all made in house. Some of those cured products can be placed between two slices of bread and eaten right then and there at Sisters Meat and Smokehouse (110 S Spruce St., 541-719-1186, sistersmeat.com), and since everybody knows sandwiches always taste better when somebody else makes them, refuel at the big red barn across from Ski Inn. Turkey shavings are piled high and barely held together by airy white bread slathered in mayo. Those craving red meat should order the tri-tip, which is covered in barbecue sauce and tucked into a toasted French roll. Each sandwich comes with a bag of chips and a warm cookie that is best enjoyed with draft beer on the covered patio or open lawn.

Look Rodeo Ready

If you want to go all in on the Western theme, youll need the right duds. Dixies (100 E Cascade Ave., 541-549-6451, dixies.com), downtowns apparel destination named after the owners mother, can have you looking like an authentic ranch hand or a gussied-up rodeo queen in a matter of minutes. The shelves are piled high with denim, there are rows and rows of boots (both practical and flamboyant), and Stetsons are stocked in colors other than traditional black and white. Even if youre not in the market for a dude ranch makeover, the store is still a handy place to pick up the hiking socks you forgot to pack.

Oregon Summer Guide

Take an Ice Cream Break

While licking your ice cream scoop outside Sno Cap Drive In (380 W Cascade Ave., 541-549-6151), you half expect Guy Fieri to roll up in his bright red convertible, film crew in tow. The simple yet charming 1952 cinder-block building advertising old-fashioned hamburgers looks exactly like the kind of greasy spoon that would attract the mayor of Flavortown during his unending American road trip. The griddles and fryers are always hard at work, but the goodies you came here for are of the frozen variety. While most ice cream parlors commit to either hard pack or soft serve, Sno Cap has both. On top of that, theres a menu of 30 milkshake flavors. As of spring, the compact dining room remained closed, but theres something pleasantly nostalgic about ordering from a walk-up window and then racing against the sun to finish your cone on the patio.

Oregon Summer Guide

Saturday Night

Sample Experimental IPAs

Any beer nerd who takes Highway 20 to Bend has made Three Creeks Brewing (721 S Desperado Court, 541-549-1963, threecreeksbrewing.com) a mandatory stop. Now that youre staying in town, theres time to linger, so sip your way through the Brewers Choice IPA Seriesthree experimental beers whose recipes will be continually tweaked until a winner is selected. Dankness on the Edge of Town lives up to its name thanks to a resinous West Coast-style, pine-sap flavor. Theres also the fruitier Gold Digger IPA that gushes with lemons and lychee. If youre eating dinner without kids, take a seat in the bar behind the Old West-style swinging doors. The room offers a peek into the brewhouse through windows on one wall and a view of Three Creeks trophy cases, which by now should be displaying the brewerys most recent plaque from the 2022 World Beer Cup.

Oregon Summer Guide

Watch Blockbusters in a Barn

Right across the parking lot from Three Creeks is a theater like no other in Oregon. Modeled after the high deserts many brick-red barns, Sisters Movie House (720 S Desperado Court, 541-549-8800, sistersmoviehouse.com) is one of the more conspicuous buildings lining the towns main arterial. Inside, the old-fashioned farm theme continues with decorative touches in the form of pitchforks, shovels and cast-iron tractor seats. However, the four screens with stadium-style auditoriums are quite modern. Like many Portland theaters, this one has an on-site cafe with a menu of burgers, pizza and wraps as well as $5 pints. And if you need help deciding what to see, the sandwich board out front includes not only movie titles and showtimes, but also their Rotten Tomatoes ratings.

Sunday Morning

Dig Into a Farm-Fresh Brunch

Since we live in one of the most agriculturally diverse and bountiful areas of the country, Oregonians are blessed with an abundance of restaurants and markets that source ingredients within a few miles radius of their location. Rainshadow Organics (72190 Holmes Road, 541-977-6746, rainshadoworganics.com) may just hold the record for shortest kitchen commuteits food travels only a quarter mile from farm to plate. Take a quick trip yourself 15 minutes northeast of Sisters for a three-course brunch highlighting the Certified Organic produce thats pulled from the dirt you can see from your seat on the farm stores sheltered porch.

Rainshadow originally added a commercial kitchen in 2016 to preserve its harvests by preparing sauces and fermented foods. However, it has been slowly ramping up the events side of the business by hosting weddings, leisurely midmorning weekend meals, and long-table dinners in the field. Should you happen to visit on a day without a meal on the calendar, stock up at the market, which sells homey, hand-labeled jars of jams, relishes and pickled vegetables all the colors of the rainbow.

Oregon Summer Guide

Take the Reins

The first thing youll notice as you approach the corral at Black Butte Ranch (13899 Bishops Cap, 541-595-2061, blackbutteranch.com) are, of course, the dozens of majestic horses. The second thing youll notice are the signs warning about injury and death. No horse, mule or pony is a completely safe animal, one reads. Horses, mules and ponies are 20 to 40 times more powerful than a human. The view of the gentle-looking giants doesnt really square with the notices urging caution, at least not until youre on the back of one, 6 feet off the ground. At that point, you realize youre behind the wheel of a car you (in my case) havent driven for years, the route is all off road, and the car has a mind of its own.

Fortunately, my horsea brown-and-white pinto named Lenniewas like an oversized dog. He was well trained, starting and stopping every time our guide didno prompting requiredand affectionate; every time our dude string paused, Lennie would nuzzle my boot.

Black Butte Ranch offers a variety of guided horseback toursfrom easy Lil Buckaroo Corral Rides to advanced daylong treks through Central Oregons backcountry. Since I last sat in a saddle a few years ago, I signed up for the Big Loop Ride, a 3.3-mile jaunt through a forest of red-trunk ponderosas and spindly, white alders. The route gives you the opportunity to take your horse down a shallow incline and up a hill. There are also several long, flat stretches, where youll shift into a higher gear and give trotting a try. Since Id forgotten how to post, or rhythmically rise in and out my seat for a smoother ride, I felt like a paddle ball, at one point convinced I was going to bounce out of my saddle. Somehow, I clung on, and neither Lennie nor I seemed worse for the wear by the end.

Oregon Summer Guide

Sunday Afternoon

Tackle a Mountain Bike Trail

If youre looking for a little more trail time, switch up your saddle and rent a bike from Eurosports (223 E Hood Ave., 541-549-2471, eurosports.us). A fleet of cycles beckons outside, which can be borrowed for a day or an entire week. From there, youre just blocks from the Peterson Ridge Trail, an extensive network of paths more than 20 miles long. Designed as a ladder system, riders can choose multiple rungs along the way when theyre ready to head back. Once youve returned to Eurosports, hydrate with one of the six beers or ciders on tap, then park your weary buns at a picnic table. Three food carts serving tacos, Thai noodles and Nashville-style hot chicken have turned the shops courtyard into a bustling pod that attracts cyclists and stationary customers alike.

Oregon Summer Guide

Bring in da Funk

When Funky Fauna Artisan Ales (211 Sun Ranch Drive, #101, 720-341-7480, funkyfaunabeer.com) opened in December 2021, it doubled the brewery population in Sisters. Three Creeks has long been the only game in town, and in general, its welcome news for all beer producers when new ones launch nearbydrinkers like to pub hop, and in many cities, that trend has spun off entirely new tourism pitches (see the neighboring Bend Ale Trail). It also helps that Funky Fauna sets itself apart by focusing on wild ales, which are fermented with foraged yeast, and then served in a sleek, modern taproom with black matte tile, vibrant green foliage, and oak barrels that double as a decorative barrier. The brewery leaves room on its tap list for Pilsners and IPAs, but the heart, soul and flavor of this business lies in the saisons, like An Ocean Warmed by the Sun, hopped with Oregon-grown Strata that tastes more like a peach than the actual fruit.

Sunday Night

Eat Like a Barnyard Piggy

By now, youve noticed that barns abound in Sisters, but this one may just be the most handsome. Opened in late 2021, The Barn (171 E Main Ave., 541-904-4343, thebarninsisters.com) is a 10,000-square-foot lot with four food trucks and a centerpiece bar that, given its soaring steeple and stained glass, looks more like a church than a shelter for farming equipment. Outside, the scenery is dominated by a giant dirt clod that attracts children despite the rope and keep off signs. Until whatever has been planted there grows in, turn your attention to the fire pit zones, whoevers playing on stage, and the food.

Time Travel in an Century-Old Bar

Most of the buildings in downtown Sisters are modern-day replicas of old-fashioned exteriors, but not Sisters Saloon (190 E Cascade Ave., 541-549-7427, sisterssaloon.net). The former hotel was built in 1912 and is said to be one of the most photographed properties in Central Oregon. That makes sense. You could easily imagine a quick-draw shootout taking place in the street out front. The restored bar is where youll want to hunker down if you like your ceilings covered in stamped copper and walls adorned with taxidermy.

Monday Morning

Boat Across a Glacier-Fed Lake

A Central Oregon trip wouldnt be complete without a visit to one of the sparkling, glacier-fed pools that are scattered across the Cascade Range. Suttle Lake (fs.usda.gov) is a crystal-clear, 253-acre beauty thats only about 18 minutes west of Sisters and on your way home along Highway 20. Stretch your legs before the long drive with an easy 3.6-mile shoreline loop hike, or get out on the water if youve brought a kayak. Suttle Lake Lodge (13300 Highway 20, 541-638-7001, thesuttlelodge.com) offers seasonal paddle board and canoe rentals, or for those who prefer to end a weekend getaway on a mellow note, the Boathouse bar and restaurant has gourmet coffee, cocktails and craft beerany of which are the perfect accompaniment to the magnificent views of the blue basin.

Oregon Summer Guide

More here:

Long Weekend Trip: Riding Through the Old West in Sisters - Willamette Week

Smoothie lovers, rejoice! Daily Harvest offers up an abundance of absolutely delectable smoothie recipes that are packed with fresh fruits and veggies, so you can check off your micronutrient intake for the day. Of course, smoothies aren't the only items on the lineup. The brand also offer delicious harvest bowls, harvest bakes, flatbreads, soups, and even ice creams.

Each box can contain 9, 14, or 24 items with tiered discounts based on the size of your box. (The more items you purchase, the bigger the discount.) We love that the vegetarian servings are substantial, filling, and convenient to prepcheck out our full review.

Example meals:

-Lentil and tomato bolognese harvest bowl

-Chickpea and coconut curry harvest bake

Sustainability & Quality: Not only is the food meticulously sourced, but the brand prioritizes farmers and aims to build a regenerative food system. All of the food is also grown from crops that don't use synthetic chemicals or pesticides. Plus, the brand also works with farmers to help them transition their land to organic so they can increase the biodiversity of crops.

Originally posted here:

The 9 Best Prepared Meal Delivery Services Of 2022 | mindbodygreen - mindbodygreen.com

by Tiffany Goldstein 11h ago

Country music fans are destined to have a barbecue stain on their white tee shirt, as Tim McGraw recently released his secret ribs recipe. Just days before the patriotic holiday, the Something Like That singer took to Instagram to share how he grills his mouthwatering meat.

My girls asked for ribs, the icon said while whipping up their go-to meal. I spend a lot of time over the grill with ribs, because they love them.

The multi-platinum artist continued to walk his followers through how to make the perfect rack and the ingredients they need to perfect the dish. McGraws dry rub ribs include dark brown sugar, espresso beans [finely ground], chipotle powder, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, and ButcherBox pork or beef.

McGraw said the key to success is having the meat marinate overnight.

Get them good and brown to start with, he explained. Then sit them on the top rack [of the barbeque] to get the heat up. Then keep basting them they are just as tender, as if I was cooking them for four or five hours, he added.

The country crooner shares three daughters with hitmaker Faith Hill Audrey Caroline McGraw, Maggie Elizabeth McGraw, and Gracie Katherine McGraw. Although the happy couple is now empty nesters, they tend to have a full house during the holidays. While McGraw places his grill master hat on for the Fourth of July, he leaves the Thanksgiving menu to his wife and 1883 co-star.

For Thanksgiving, I dont cook, McGraw said to Big Machine Label Group. Faith does all the cooking for Thanksgiving. We have to have turkey, we have to have our stuffing, and we have to have cornbread and peas, of course, he pointed out.

When it is not a holiday, McGraw makes it a priority to eat clean and keep his washboard abs in tip-top shape. After his big-screen debut in The Four Christmases, McGraw altered his diet and cut out fast food.

I utilize my entire body to sing: my legs and my back. Being more in control of these things enhances my voice, he told Mens Health Magazine.

McGraw revealed to the publication that his everyday rgime includes meat, vegetables, oatmeal, and fruits. Before consuming a wide variety of organic foods, he starts his day with Cayenne pepper, lemon juice, Manuka honey, and hot water a detox blend that benefits gut health.

As he keeps his refrigerator full of nourishing snacks and meals, McGraw also puts in the work at the gym. Martial arts trainer, Roger Yuan has created a rigorous and personalized training program for McGraw.

The fitness routine includes Hindu pushups [three sets of 25 reps], Hindu squats [three sets of 25 reps], bicycle crunches [3 sets with 25 reps], and sprinter split squats [10-15 reps per leg], and more. When the chart-topping artist is out on the road, he maintains his bootcamp-like routine with his gym on wheels. The heavy gear is all stored away in a trailer sponsored by ButcherBox.

The 55-year-old legend relatively recently released his parking lot workouts with breakout stars Russell Dickerson and Brandon Davis out on his 2022 nationwide trek.

The sing-songwriter just wrapped his successful run and will be hitting notable festivals until mid-October. For upcoming appearances, visit timmcgraw.com.

More here:

Tim McGraw Reveals His Secret Ribs Recipe For The Summer: "Here's A Little Pro Tip" - CMT.com

Nuts and dried fruit items at a grocery store. Martha Bebinger/WBUR hide caption

Nuts and dried fruit items at a grocery store.

Updated July 5, 11:05 a.m. ET

I didn't see the thin plastic thread running between one leaf on my pineapple and its tag when I put the pineapple in my shopping cart, when I checked out or when I unpacked groceries at home. It wasn't until I chopped off the top and tug on the tag that it hit me.

I'd broken the rules again.

That damn plastic tag tie joins the long list of mistakes I made in just one week of trying to eat plastic-free.

I had challenged myself to purchase a week's worth of food without bringing home any plastic in my grocery bag. That meant no jugs of juice, yogurt containers, plastic chip bags, plastic packages or even stickers on some produce.

Why did I do this? Because very few of the plastic packages and containers we use once get recycled. Because there's growing concern about the harmful health effects. Some research suggests that ingesting microplastics could disrupt hormone production or be associated with problems like asthma and learning disorders.

Though scientists have not confirmed the link, I just don't love the idea that I may consume a credit card's worth of plastic in a week.

I chose a budget of $115.00 (roughly half-way between the average weekly grocery bill for a family of two in Massachusetts and the food stamp allotment for that same household). On a Saturday afternoon, I pulled into the parking lot of my local chain grocery store feeling reasonably plastic-aware, not ready for the butt-kicking I was about to get.

I started in the produce section, where I typically grab a plastic bag of organic baby carrots. They're off limits, as is pretty much every vegetable in the organic section. I found some beautifully bunched carrots among the non-organic produce. Then I saw the plastic tags hanging off their rubber bands. I spotted a dozen loose ones down by the produce shelf drain and scooped them up, sans bag.

I rolled my cart past the cauliflower, green beans, asparagus, lettuces and grapes, all glinting inside their plastic. I weighed loose beets, apples, onions and sweet potatoes. My anxiety kicked in that feeling that I wouldn't have enough. So, I bought a head of cabbage.

Miami, Florida, Winn-Dixie grocery store, fresh cut fruit for sale in refrigerated case. Jeff Greenberg/Getty Images hide caption

Miami, Florida, Winn-Dixie grocery store, fresh cut fruit for sale in refrigerated case.

I tapped prices into the calculator on my phone. Leaving the produce section, I was in good shape, at $31.30. It was time to search for protein.

I don't eat meat. But I headed to the meat counter to shop for one of my sons. Everything prepackaged was in plastic, but the man behind the glass kindly agreed to wrap two hamburger patties and some chicken, separately, in butcher paper. Together they were $21.62.

Tofu, cheese, yogurt and pretty much everything in the dairy section was out. Even the bottled milk had a plastic cap. There were lots of eggs in those paper pulp cartons. Whew.

To avoid eating eggs every meal, I got some cans of beans and rice in a box. I wanted pasta, but the box had a cellophane window. (While cellophane is not technically plastic, as it's not derived from petroleum, I was still trying to avoid it because it's non-recyclable.) I chose a brand of spaghetti with the smallest window (1"x1"), telling myself that eating a lot of cabbage would earn me the right to this violation.

If I was going to consume a lot of cabbage, I'd need some oil or salad dressing. The search for plastic-free oil and vinegar took me into the "house of mirrors" stage of my plastic-free odyssey.

There were lots of options in glass bottles. After careful tapping, I found some with metal lids. But the bottles with metal lids all had a plastic seal, except for one brand of sesame oil and another of red wine vinegar. The vinegar label was peeling away at one corner. And that made me wonder: what are jar labels made of? You probably guessed: many are plastic. The sesame oil and rice wine vinegar went back on the shelf, as did jars of marinara, salsa and juice.

I can live without salsa and juice for a week. But I certainly did not volunteer to go a week without chocolate. I spent a lot of time in the candy aisle before finding some bars wrapped in foil, packaged in a box.

At checkout, I added the labels on paper-wrapped beef and chicken to my list of shame (I realized they are plastic). Then when the cashier scanned the barcode on bell peppers, I chalked up another defeat. They each had little plastic stickers with barcodes. I bought them anyway. I was hungry, discouraged and ready to move on.

I still had $21.96. Maybe I could find a bulk store with bins of nuts or vats of oil that I can pour into non-plastic containers to replace some of the items I had to put back.

Refilling bottles with goods like olive oil is one way to cut down on packaging. Martha Bebinger/WBUR hide caption

Refilling bottles with goods like olive oil is one way to cut down on packaging.

At home, I scanned some zero-waste sites and made a few calls. Several stores had bulk oil and vinegar, but I'd have to buy their bottle with a plastic lid and label, use up the contents and bring it back in for a refill. Pemberton Farms, in Cambridge, said I could bring in my own mason jars. They had bread wrapped in paper and bulk items like cereal and nuts in bins, the latter of which put me $1.23 over budget but was worth every almond.

While I'm out of money, I might want to do this again, so I had some questions for general manager Greg Saidnawey. Pemberton Farms is known as a zero-waste shopping destination, but there are still many things I couldn't buy here plastic-free. There was no dairy, juice, peanut butter or tahini options without plastic.

Saidnawey says he used to have more than 300 foods and spices in bulk. That shrank to about 100 items during the pandemic. And Saidnawey says he doesn't expect to add more bulk shopping options anytime soon.

"There was so much forward momentum in zero waste, especially in the Boston area, before COVID," Saidnawey says. But during the pandemic, "customers just wanted peace of mind. They didn't want a broken seal; they didn't want anything that had already been touched by anybody else, and I think we've just gone in reverse in a lot of ways."

The CDC says the risk of getting COVID-19 after touching a contaminated surface is low, but Saidnawey says his plastic suppliers report they've never been busier. There's another factor that may be ramping up use of plastic in food packaging. Plastics are made with fossil fuels. That industry is looking for new outlets in the shift to electric vehicles.

Saidnawey says he's interested in using more compostable containers, but they are 30-40% more expensive. It's hard to add that cost to the rising price of food. And compostable boxes for nuts, beans or snacks (a lot of what Pemberton Farms offers in bulk) aren't as attractive on shelves as plastic.

"I want to find a package that isn't going to wind up in the oceans or a landfill forever," Saidnawey says, but "customers shop with their eyes."

My week of plastic-free eating produced some pretty boring meals. I wasn't prepared. I didn't realize how many things would be off limits. There are some zero-waste cookbooks, but I didn't look at them before I went shopping. And I didn't budget for herbs or spices, things that might have made life a little more exciting.

To reduce my plastic use moving forward, I'm going to have to make more things from scratch, like hummus, marinara, salsa, maybe even yogurt. I'm switching brands of juice so I can buy OJ and lemonade in reusable glass bottles. I'll have to drive around a bit to explore more bulk food options, and I may need to spend a little more on things like cheese wrapped in paper. I've got to beef up my supply of refillable jars and maybe invest in some of those reusable food container bags and that beeswax cling wrap alternative.

I asked Star Market, where I shopped this week, what they're doing to reduce plastic food packaging. Star is owned by Albertsons, one of the largest food retailers in the U.S. They pointed me to a web page about the company's plans to reduce plastic waste, which might mean using less plastic packaging. And Costco, where I shop a few times a year, says it's currently reviewing packaging of all products to reduce plastic use.

Maybe we can slow some of the projected growth in plastic we use once and throw away, and major oil, gas and petrochemical corporations that make most of our plastic will shift to more renewable products. In the meantime, I aim to up my game. I avoided using 27 plastic containers and packages in one week; I can do better.

Need some tips on where to start? NPR's Life Kit pulled together some helpful tips for starting to audit the plastic in your life, even beyond your grocery list.

This story was produced by WBUR as part of their newsletter, "Cooked: the search for sustainable eats."

Originally posted here:

Zero-waste groceries: Can you buy enough to eat without plastic packaging? : Shots - Health News - NPR

Food certification labels do not indicate or guarantee better human nutrition, health, or product safety; they are marketing devices using a set of standards based on social, moral or environmental issues. You can read more about faith-based labels such as kosher and halal and the major food safety, organic, and non-GMO certification labels here.

Gluten and Free-From Labels

Many consumers want to eat healthier and avoid certain foods or ingredients. The food industry supplies this information as free-from labeling. The most popular by far is gluten-free.

Certain individuals are genetically predisposed to an autoimmune inflammation of the gut, celiac disease. [1] Gluten found in wheat, barley, rye, and their hybrids is actually two proteins, glutenin and gliadin, providing functional properties such as texture and elasticity to bread and baked goods. The FDA considers wheat, not gluten, an allergen. To assist celiac sufferers, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) established a standard in 2014. Gluten-free is defined as less than 20 parts per million (ppm), the lowest level that can be accurately detected in foods. The gluten-free label regulations give consumers a tool for avoiding or managing their dietary intake of gluten.

While manufacturers of bread, baked goods, and pasta must use alternative grains or ingredients to produce gluten-free products, many foods are inherently gluten-free (fruits, vegetables, and eggs). But whether devoid of gluten by nature or manufacture, food can have a gluten-free label if it meets FDA requirements. This claim is not required and may not appear as a label even if the food is gluten-free. One can double-check by searching the FDA-mandated ingredients label on the back of the package to see if gluten-containing grains are used.

Most manufacturers will cite gluten-free loud and proud, separate from ingredient labels. There are gluten-free certification programs available for food manufacturers and producers, but the FDA does not endorse these third-party accreditations. FDA oversight for gluten-free is reliant on customer complaints of adverse events and reports of label misuse.

In the US, other free-from claims are voluntary; however a food producer may wish to include these claims to help consumers avoid an ingredient due to allergies or intolerance, religious or dietary practices such as veganism, or other non-nutritional reasons. According to the Code of Federal Regulations, these free from claims must be truthful and not misleading to the shopper.

[When you] label something as free from some substance, you create a presumption that the product without is superior to the product with. [2]

There is a not-so-subtle bias that free-from labels plant in the minds of the consumer. Free from labels are lightly regulated by the US government and many producers and manufacturers self-certify. Why pay a certifier when you can proclaim it for yourself on the front of the package? Common self-certifications which limit ingredients include vegan, paleo, meat-free or meat-less, dairy-free, lactose-free anything other than gluten-free. These labels serve as quick references for shoppers who want to avoid these ingredients for medical or other reasons.

Environmental, Animal Welfare, and Fair Trade Labels

Since the 1960s, the environmental movement has championed better practices, not just in agriculture, but in all walks of life. Food manufacturers have felt this pressure and have responded by updating their operating procedures and labeling foods to indicate their environmental stewardship. For example, Salmon Safe, certifies that its products are made with methods to protect native salmon, minimizing pollution in rivers and wetlands, limiting the use of pesticides, employing better irrigation practices, and planting trees by rivers. Other certified environmental labels include Sustainably Grown Certified, Demeter Certified Biodynamic, and Rainforest Alliance Certified/UTZ. (Here is an expansive listing of these certifications)

Many environmental certifications overlap with social and economic ones, like animal welfare labels; possibly the largest category of non-nutritive food labels, both certified and non-certified. I found at least 17 food labels promoting animal welfare. Some are certified by consumer advocacy or trade associations like Certified Humane Raised and Handled, American Grassfed Approved, and Global Animal Partnership. Some have governmental oversight like Raised Without Antibiotics, where the USDA grants these labels.

Antibiotic Free label has a similar name to Raised Without Antibiotics but is not certified by the USDA; and is just one example of clip art labels which are readily available and used by unscrupulous sellers. Other popular animal welfare labels that have no outside verification include free-range, hormone-free, local farm fresh, and superfood. Cage-free labels for poultry do not require third-party certification and are self-certified. Let the buyer beware - Animal welfare labels are a minefield of greenwashing and false hopes of alternative husbandry practices.

Fair Trade labels promote social justice in the form of decent working conditions, fair wages and prices for their products. Notable, fair trade labels, inspected and certified by third-parties include:

Premiums for these products are funneled back into the community to help sustain and develop new markets.

Do We Define Natural and Clean?

Since 2016, the FDA has been trying to decide what is meant by the term natural. It has been taking comments on the use of the term in food labeling since that time. While there is no formal governmental definition that can protect food manufacturers from opportunistic attorneys and litigation, the FDAs longstanding policy for natural in shortened form is this: nothing artificial or synthetic.

Like natural, the term clean is consumer driven with no official definition, regulations, or guidelines from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or the U.S. Department of Agriculture. We are left to our own devices and opinions as to what constitutes clean food. Foods with natural or clean labels have been the subject of many lawsuits since their meaning is unclear. When asked, most consumers would respond that clean means a short ingredient list with no artificial colors or preservatives. Chemical names, however innocuous, are a no-no. Clean also means minimal processing to most shoppers. The food industry has responded by finding alternative ingredients with common names. Vinegar now is listed instead of acetic acid. If a functional ingredient is listed, explanations for their use helps consumers understand their inclusion: guar gum for texture.

Learn More About Food Labels

Some food labels accurately describe their purpose with claim verifications by disinterested third parties. But deceptive marketing practices and self-certifications abound. Every day, new labels with righteous names proliferate on your grocers shelves. Are these labels solid proof or merely greenwashing? Its hard to tell at a glance; non-certified labels with no third-party oversight are only ink. If you see a label, be curious, go to the website to determine if they are certified and by whom, and what standards are they uphold.

[1] Wheat as a causative agent for celiac disease was not discovered until the Dutch Famine of 1944. During the final years of World War II, children did not have access to bread. Dr. Willem Dicke, a pediatrician, noted that his young celiac patients conditions improved with the rationing of wheat flour but relapsed when bread was added back to their diets.

[2] Labeling Food Processes: The Good, the Bad and the UglyApplied Economic Policy and Perspective DOI: 10.1093/aepp/ppx028

Sources:

Gluten and Food Labeling FDA

The Changing Face of Clean Label Institute of Food Technologists

Food Labels Explained Farm Aid

When, and Why, Did Everyone Stop Eating Gluten? Scientific American

Retaining Ingredient Functionality in Clean Label ProductInstitute of Food Technologists

See the original post:

More On Interpreting Food Certification Labels | American Council on Science and Health - American Council on Science and Health

Art

Eliza Levinson

documenta fifteen, ruangrupa, back row f.l.t.r.: Iswanto Hartono, Reza Afisina, farid rakun, Ade Darmawan, Mirwan Andan; front row f.l.t.r.: Ajeng Nurul Aini, Indra Ameng, Daniella Fitria Praptono, Julia Sarisetiati at the installation Vietnamese Immigrating Garden by Tuan Mami (Nha San Collective), 2022, Photo: Nicolas Wefers.

For Documenta 15, organizers wanted something different. Breaking the prestigious quinquennials 67-year-long legacy of featuring major international artistssuch as Hans Haacke, On Kawara, Adrian Piper, and Alfredo Jaar, to name a fewthis years event is shoving the art world out of its comfort zone, with mixed results.

Spread across 32 venues in the city of Kassel in western Germany for 100 days, Documenta 15 is curated not by an individual art-world luminary as is tradition, but rather the dynamic Indonesian arts organization ruangrupa. In a radical departure from a festival that once featured the likes of Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse, this years exhibition replaces blue-chip, or even well-known, international artists with several relatively obscure, invited collectives, who were then allowed to invite any collaborating collectives they wanted to work withculminating in a staggering total of 1,500 featured artists.

documenta fifteen: Baan Noorg Collaborative Arts and Culture, The Rituals of Things, 2022, installation view, Fridericianum, Kassel, June 13, 2022, Photo: Nicolas Wefers.

From the jump, ruangrupa approached a quintessentially elite European art festival from a decentralized, anti-capitalist, communitarian stance: what they term lumbunga reference to an Indonesian word for a shared supply of rice, which the community divides with a spirit of mutual trust. In a repeated gesture of institutional critique, numerous rooms across this years Documenta are active artists workshops, positioned directly in the middle of otherwise-used gallery space and challenging the (arguably, fair) expectation to see any art at all.

This is far from ruangrupas only move away from curatorial norms. Across Documenta, traditional explanatory wall texts are nowhere to be found: at most, installed works are paired with sheets of A4 paper stuck to the wall with a magnet. Throughout official festival materials, participating artists are enthusiastic about the disintegration of traditional art world rigidity in favor of a flourishing community: included collaborators Cinema Caravan and Takashi Kuribayashi, for example, self-describe as being driven by the motto make friends not arta phrase rarely heard in the art world.

documenta fifiteen: Cinema Caravan + Takashi Kuribayashi, screening in Outside of Mosquito Net (Out of the Loop), 2022, Karlswiese, Kassel, June 19, 2022, photo: Nils Klinger.

Ruangrupas governing artistic statement is simultaneously simple and complicated: simple in that what they really wanted, it appears, is to financially uplift arts and community collectives from countries largely in the Global South; complicated in that the politics of doing so mandated elaborate, even convoluted, internal politics and terminologies that are difficult for an outside viewer to understandto the extent that some festival materials come equipped with a multi-page glossary of relevant terms.

In keeping with the curators approach, event organizers have made such traditionally bureaucratic concerns as the allocation of institutional funding central. The redistribution of European wealth to art groups and communities in poorer countries is a fascinating cornerstone of ruangrupas philosophy, but it is rendered surprisingly, and unfortunately, often confusing to understand.

documenta fifteen: Taring Padi, 2022, Bara Solidaritas: Sekarang Mereka, Besok Kita / The Flame of Solidarity: First they came for them, then they came for us, installation view, Hallenbad Ost, Kassel, June 14, 2022, photo: Frank Sperling.

Of course, as you may have heard, these philosophical provocations about the art world and funding are hardly the most controversial story at this years Documenta. Shortly after the opening, visitors criticized a 60-foot mural by the art collective Taring Padi for including what was considered anti-Semitic imagery; the mural, which was featured in the center of the festival, has since been removed.

The long-standing repercussions of that decision remain to be seen: Citing the fracas, Germanys culture minister announced last week that the government plans to be more involved in future editions of Documenta. Additionally, the allocation of the art events 40 million budget will be conditional on approval from organizations including the Central Council of Jews in Germany.

Disputes aside, Documenta 15 offers a bold challenge to the viewer schooled in the expectations of the traditional art world. This years event is a fascinating, three-dimensional exploration of putting ones money where their mouth is as Western Europe continues to grapple with the legacy of colonialism. At its best, Documenta 15 is rich, vibrant, exciting, and educational, opening up an unpretentious world to its viewership that is vast, international, and poignantly ephemeral. Whether or not you make the trip, here are some of the artists and collectives whose works are particularly noteworthy.

Britto Arts TrustVenue: Documenta Halle

documenta fifteen: PAKGHOR - the social kitchen, Britto Arts Trust, 2022, documenta Halle, Kassel, June 18, 2022, photo: Nils Klinger.

The artist-run nonprofit Britto Arts Trust grew out of Dhaka, Bangladesh, in 2002. At Documenta, theyre presenting work exploring the relationship between food, community, postcolonialism, and the global supply chain. Outside of the Documenta Halle, the artists of Britto Arts Trust have constructed a living organic garden and communal kitchen space out of a cluster of woven bamboo structures, where they plan to serve the local cuisines of 100 nationalities in 100 days.

Inside the Documenta Halle, take a tour through Britto Arts Trusts rasad (2022), an elaborate twist on an epicurean bazaar. A playful series of fake food objectseggs, milk, vegetables, potatoesis installed across a number of different shelves and inside a constructed pantry. These faux foods, made from surprising materialsincluding ceramic, plaster, plastic, cotton, and corrugated metalinclude painted ceramic papaya juice cartons and squishy, embroidered cushions shaped like Campbells soup cans. Some, like painted cartons that remind viewers that organic food is a lie, are overtly political, drawing a thought-provoking connection between the international food trade, the legacy of colonialism, the slave trade, and ongoing economics of extraction and exploitation.

Fondation Festival Sur le NigerVenue: Hbner areal

documenta fifteen: Fondation Festival sur le Niger, Yaya Coulibaly, The Wall of Puppets, 2022, installation view, Hubner areal, Kassel, June 13, 2022, photo: Maja Wirkus.

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The artists comprising Fondation Festival Sur le Niger (FFSN) came together in the summer of 2009 as an outgrowth of Malis annual Festival Sur le Niger. FFSN works across an array of disciplines, from colorful multimedia puppets to whimsical portraits and tapestries woven from recycled materials. Throughout the Fondation Festival Sur le Nigers featured works is a lively sense of play. Looking at their series of staged portraits of grinning people playing oversized prop instruments, its no surprise that the groups core principlesinformed by Maaya traditional spiritual practicesinclude sinakunya (humorous cousinhood) and humor.

Among FFSNs strongest featured works at Documenta is a series of woven recycled cardboarddozens of beige and brown squares that have been wrapped tightly with string or twine and are then stitched together. In one instance, these tightly wound parcels are sewn into a flat tapestry, and hang on the wall with a few gaps of open space, evoking chipped paint or webs of rusted corrugated metal. The effect here is to merge the old and the new: an act of alchemy that renders discarded objects delicate.

A similar transfiguration occurs with two larger, but similar, quilts that are installed in hanging half-circles, expanding the seriess language of intentional negative space. Viewers can walk through the work and gaze up at the careful craft of embroidery that brought these blocks together, imagining the hands that threaded twine through square-shaped cardboard, stitch by stitch.

The RandomroutinesVenue: Bootsverleih Ahoi

The Randomroutinesthe collaborative project of artists Tams Kaszs and Krisztin Kristfare two invited participants by collective OFF-Biennale Budapest, a group of artist-activists based in Hungary who have made it their mission not to accept funding from the Hungarian government. OFF-Biennale Budapest has taken over Kassels Bootsverleih Ahoi, turning it into a lively, colorful set of installations that engage in themes of play, imagination, and daydreaming.

Tucked into a repurposed room at the Bootsverleih Ahoi, The Randomroutiness A Dream on Lucids (2016/2022) is a poetically choreographed multi-channel video art and sound piece exploring lucid dreaming. This hour-long film plays on a loop and urges viewers not to enter in medias res. Press your hand to the white palmprint on a closed door between screenings and youll find your way to one of about eight armchairs staggered throughout the room. When the performance begins, a surround-sound audio recording about lucid dreaming narrates while five screens positioned around the room play animations, archival footage, and stills at different times, synchronized with the ambient narration. These are not random images: one has the sense that they have been meticulously arranged to align with the audio. The effect is mesmerizing, hypnotic, and entirely engaging.

Its worth going to the Bootsverleih Ahoi for the location alone, especially with kids. The repurposed shed is surrounded by a usable playground made for Documenta by OFF-Biennale Budapest, and several other artworks. There is also a caf where you can partake in numerous options of refreshments and admire a view of Kassel from the Fulda River.

Nguyn Trinh ThiVenue: Rondell

documenta fifteen: Nguyn Trinh Thi, And They Die a Natural Death, installation view, 2022, Rondell, Kassel, June 14, 2022, Photo: Frank Sperling.

One of the more meditative site-specific experiments at this years Documenta is Nguyn Trinh This new installation. Located in the historic Rondell buildinga medieval tower from the 16th century located near the Fulda Riverthe work is reached by entering through a narrow, dimly lit hallway, then parting two dark curtains and ducking under a low-hanging door frame. There, after crossing a small bridge, youll find your way to a circular seating area. There, you can sit and soak in an immersive sound and light installation inspired by Bi Ngc Tns 2000 autofiction novel Tale Told in the Year 2000a book so controversial that, upon its publication in Vietnam, the text was, according to the Documenta fifteen handbook, immediately banned and destroyed.

Despite the works dark reference point, the installation is a quiet, peaceful, and even relaxing experience: If you are visiting Kassel on a hot summer day, a few contemplative moments within the cool walls of the Rondell will come as a balm. The installation pairs a slowly rotating lighting system to several real chili plants in order to cast large, leaf-shaped silhouettes around the walls of the building. Your experience is accompanied by the thoughtful sounds of an Indigenous so i flute.

Saodat IsmailovaVenue: Fridericianum

documenta fifiteen: Saodat Ismailova, Chillpiq, 2018, installation view, Fridericianum Kassel, June 11, 2022, Photo: Nicolas Wefers.

While the Fridericianum is one of the first buildings youre likely to visit on your trip to Kassel, you may not catch the signs for Saodat Ismailovas dreamlike Chilltan (2022), a multi-room immersive work in the buildings basement. After pushing open a heavy wooden door, find your way to a seat on any of the soft, comfortable Uzbek cushions in lime green, navy, bottle green, and mustard that have been arranged on the floor to watch one of two experimental film works exploring Central Asian folk tales on theater-sized film screens nestled into the regal, curved stone archways of the building.

Between the screening spaces is a liminal, low-ceilinged room, where a cluster of soft, velveteen cushions surround a dimly lit circular table. Based on the works just upstairs, which encourage viewers to come together in unconventional ways, this portion of the exhibition is presumably for quiet conversation and communion. After passing through a gauzy curtain, in the final room, a series of texts are projected in an endless, magenta-colored loop onto the same soft cushions in multiple languages.

Subversive Film Venues: Gloria-Kino, Hbner areal

documenta fifiteen: Subversive Film, Tokyo Reels Film Festival / TRFF, Opening Night, screening and Q&A, on stage: Mohanad Yaqubi and Fadi AbuNemeh, in the audience: Kassem Hawal, Gloria Kino, Kassel, June 16, 2022, Foto: Nils Klinger.

Among the more aesthetically satisfying works from Documenta 15 is Subversive Films Tokyo Reels (2018present). Mohaad Yaqubi and Reem Shilleh are the artists behind the collective Subversive Film; their practice moves between Brussels, Belgium, and Ramallah, Palestine. In a projection of numerous reels playing on loop in a large room, take a seat on pillows piled on wooden bleachers to watch a documentary of archival footage, some smuggled out of Palestine, which depict international solidarity between Japan and Palestine in the 1970s and 80s.

In addition to the obscure political history explored in these films, the project is beautiful to watch: The rich saturation of the fading archival film is presented complete with pinkish sprocket holes, purple-tinted audio tracks, and the imperfect frames of the original archival films. These material reminders of the original objects physical materialitystores of secretly compiled historic and political artifacts, and the act of risky concealment necessary to preserve them.

Taring Padi Venues: C&A Faade, Friedrichsplatz, Hallenbad Ost, Rondell

documenta fifteen: Taring Padi, Sekarang Mereka, Besok Kita (Today theyve come for them, tomorrow they come for us) , 2021, installation view, Hallenbad Ost, Kassel, June 12, 2022, photo: Frank Sperling.

Get some context on the conflict: While Taring Padis controversial mural no longer hangs in Kassel, you can get a sense of the collectives style and artwork elsewhere in the city through numerous smaller-scale paintings, including banners and their signature wayang kardus (cardboard figures). These figures, which number close to a thousand, are staggered throughout Kassel and are artifacts of politically oriented community workshops held by Taring Padi both in and outside of Indonesia. When not at Kassel, the wayang kardus are deployed in protests, live performances, and carnivals. Keep an eye out for Taring Padis signatureand envelope-pushing tendency towards what the Documenta fifteen handbook calls satirical iconography.

In a recent statement about the controversial mural published on Documentas website, Taring Padi explained that their caricatures are never intended as hatred directed at a particular ethnic or religious group, but as a critique of militarism and state violence.

Taring Padi (which translates to fangs of rice) has been working in Indonesia since 1998, and was originally created by students and activists in Yogyakarta. In an interesting element of the backlash against their now-removed mural Peoples Justice (2002), their stated mission in Documenta 15 is to communicate, as they write, Flame of Solidarity: First they came for them, then they came for usa quote that, clanging against a brouhaha about anti-Semitism, evokes Martin Niemllers oft-referenced poem about the Holocaust: First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak outBecause I was not a Socialist. Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak outBecause I was not a Trade Unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak outBecause I was not a Jew. Then they came for meand there was no one left to speak for me.

Taring Padis murals and painted works are colorful, using an array of vibrantsometimes intentionally garish or, evidently, unintentionally offensivesymbols and figures. When text is interwoven in the murals, it takes a number of forms, incorporating numerous languages. Within their works at Documenta 15, Taring Padi deploys the motif of a large gathered crowd, though in some works (like Today theyve come for them, tomorrow they will come for us), the masses generally appear to be peaceful, even utopian, while Peoples Justice depicted an ominous war scene.

Wajukuu Art ProjectVenue: Documenta Halle

documenta fifteen: Wajukuu Art Project, Ngugi Waweru, Kahiu kogi gatemaga mwene, 2022, Installationsansicht, documenta Halle, Kassel, June 13, 2022, photo: Nicolas Wefers.

At the entrance of the Documenta Halle are beautiful sculptural works by Wajukuu Art Project, an art collective that grew out of the Lunga-Lunga neighborhood in Nairobi. Here, the traditional white walls of the art institution have been swapped out for partially rusted, corrugated metal, dotted with colorful paintings.

The standouts here are Wajukuus four sculptures, which repurpose found materials in kinetic, complex works that pair artifacts of violence with a surprising elegance. These works bring together materials like bricks, knives, bicycle gears, nails, and metal with smooth wood, sand, elegantly dangling string, and multiple objects made in the shape of humans. The collectives works create a compelling interplay between soft and sharp, fragility and the body.

Continued here:

8 Standout Artists and Collectives at Documenta 15 - Artsy

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Crop micronutrients are critical nutrients that plants need to develop and perform other metabolic functions. They help to improve quality, color, taste, fertilizer efficiency, disease resistance, water use, and other factors.

New York, July 05, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Global Crop Micronutrients Market Size, Share & Industry Trends Analysis Report By Form, By Application, By Crop Type, By Type, By Regional Outlook and Forecast, 2022 2028" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06289226/?utm_source=GNW These micronutrients also help in the creation of big and strong roots, as well as the formation of full proteins and chemicals and improved plant immunity. The crop micronutrients market is being driven by factors such as the efficacy of micronutrients for crop production and productivity, growing awareness among growers about the advantages of micronutrients, and shrinking agricultural land. Additionally, developing soil inadequacies in cultivated lands can be attributed to the increased demand for crop micronutrients. Crop micronutrients also help crops to be more resistant to disease.

Growing public awareness about food security, as well as rising occurrences of micronutrient deficiencies in soils around the world, are likely to drive market expansion over the forecast period. Rising investment by key participants in new product launches is projected to enhance industry sales even more.

Iron application has been linked to good yields, economic returns, and iron concentration in mungbean. Biofortification is a popular trend in the agricultural micronutrient industry, and it aids in the integration of nutrients into food crops. This method is gaining popularity as a cost-effective and sustainable strategy to boost mineral concentration in staple crops like mungbean. Increased iron levels in mungbean are bringing in more money for farmers and enhancing manufacturers credibility in the agricultural micronutrient market. Manufacturers are increasing their iron compound production capacities because women and pre-school children are the most vulnerable to micronutrient deficiency.

COVID-19 Impact

Fertilizer application to crops is influenced by soil type, soil fertility levels among soil types, accessible nutrients ratios, type of crop, and weather conditions. The influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on soil fertility is due to human activity, such as farmers failure to apply fertilizer on time. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a pressing need to expand existing measures to improve agricultural input use efficiency, particularly fertilizer, by implementing innovations like sensor and satellite technologies.

Market Growth Factors

Rising deficiency of micronutrients in soil

Crop micronutrients can be found in low concentrations in plants, and their deficiencies can cause crop diseases. Micronutrient shortages and imbalances are occurring in soils all around the world, and the main causes include temperature, humidity, and soil pH. The accessibility of micronutrients in the soil is reduced as the pH of the soil is raised. To alleviate the shortages, governmental and non-governmental organizations are emphasizing mineral fertilization measures. As per the FAO, countries like China, the United States, and India consume roughly half of all mineral fertilizer nutrients. Many countries have achieved national food sufficiency, nonetheless, there is always a need to feed people with nutrient-rich food by improving agriculture practices.

Increasing development in the biodegradable chelates

Owing to the different known risks of non-biodegradable chelating agents, the market is increasingly focusing on the creation of biodegradable chelates. In place of non-biodegradable agents, NTA, EDDS, and ITS are the most recently produced and extensively utilized agents on the market. These are mostly utilized for goals like removing metals that can harm plant and soil health, as well as preventing harmful metals from precipitating into the soil. Growers in the region are gradually transitioning away from commodity fertilizers and toward specialty fertilizers such as coated and encapsulated fertilizers, chelated fertilizers, and slow release fertilizers.

Market Restraining Factors

Availability of various organic fertilizers

The trend in food consumption in industrialized countries is mostly changing toward better meals derived from healthy and safe sources. As a result, consumers are becoming more conscious of the commercialization of agriculture and the widespread use of chemical and synthetic fertilizers, both of which have the potential to harm human health. Due to this, in countries where food production outnumbers consumption, people are more concerned about the quality of their food. Organic fertilizers are witnessing huge demand, particularly in developed regions, with key markets including the United States, Germany, and France. As a result of the rising organic fertilizers, organic food production would rise in the coming years.

Form Outlook

Based on Form, the market is segmented into Chelated and Non-Chelated. The non-chelated segment garnered a significant revenue share in the crop micronutrients in 2021. It is owing to the expansion of the agriculture sector across various nations. These non-chelated micronutrients are as useful as chelated forms since they provide boron, zinc, copper, and other elements to plants.

Application Outlook

Based on Application, the market is segmented into Soil, Foliar, Fertigation, and Others. The soil application segment procured the maximum revenue share in the crop micronutrients market in 2021. The soil mode of application is a popular method for applying micronutrients in agriculture. This portion enables for equal distribution of micronutrients to plants using traditional fertilizer application equipment. Because of the various factors, soil mode of application is extensively employed in agriculture, and this segment is predicted to grow in the coming years.

Crop Type Outlook

Based on Crop Type, the market is segmented into Cereals & Grains, Pulses & Oilseeds, Fruits & Vegetables, and Others. The fruits & Vegetable segment procured a significant revenue share in the crop micronutrients market in 2021. It is owing to the rising demand for fruits among the population. The recent trend of rising fruit consumption has coincided with an increase in vegetable and fruit exports, resulting in a rise in the crop plantation area. Micronutrient-rich fruits and vegetables are likely to rise significantly in the next years.

Type Outlook

Based on Type, the market is segmented into Copper, Zinc, Boron, Iron, Manganese, Molybdenum, and Others. The copper segment recorded the highest revenue share in the crop micronutrients market in 2021. Copper-type micronutrients catalyze processes in plants by activating enzymes necessary for protein synthesis. They also aid in the reduction of vitamin A production in plants, which would fuel the segments expansion.

Regional Outlook

Based on Regions, the market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Latin America, Middle East & Africa. The Asia Pacific emerged as a leading region in the crop micronutrients with the largest revenue share in 2021. It is due to the fact that most crop production is done in this region. The market for crop micronutrients is growing due to the rising demand for high-quality products and changing farming practices. The direct application of micronutrients for the treatment of plant shortages would bolster the industrys need even further.

The market research report covers the analysis of key stake holders of the market. Key companies profiled in the report include BASF SE, Compass Minerals International, Inc., The Mosaic Company, Nutrien Limited, DuPont de Nemours, Inc., Akzo Nobel N.V., Aries Agro Limited, Yara International ASA, Baicor, LLC, and Western Nutrients Corporation.

Recent Strategies Deployed in Crop Micronutrients Market

Mar-2022: BASF teamed up with AMVAC, a chemical manufacturing company that offers solutions for insect, disease, and weed control. This collaboration aimed to develop Rhizo-Flo granular soybean inoculant as an addition to the SIMPAS-applied Solutions portfolio.

Mar-2022: The Mosaic Company came into an agreement with BioConsortia, an agricultural biotechnology company. The agreement aimed to make and launch nitrogen-fixing microbial products for all crops, comprising corn, wheat, fruit, rice, and vegetables in China, Thailand, India, and Vietnam.

Mar-2021: The Mosaic Company entered into a partnership with Sound Agriculture. This partnership aimed to bring a revolutionary nutrient efficiency product to market to accelerate yields across major row crops and improve soil health. The companies would team up on the development and distribution of a proprietary mix of Sound Agricultures bio-inspired chemistry and key micronutrients.

Mar-2021: The Mosaic Company came into a collaboration with AgBiome, a biotechnology company. This collaboration aimed to develop, discover, and introduce biological alternatives to boost soil fertility. In addition, Mosaic and AgBiome would support the development of advanced agricultural technologies, which facilitate farmers to boost nutrient usage efficiency and ultimately decrease fertilizer loss to the environment.

Apr-2020: Nutrien entered into a definitive agreement to purchase 100 percent of the equity of the Tec Agro Group. This acquisition would support the companys strategy to bring whole-farm solutions to the Brazilian customers.

Sep-2020: BASF took over the proprietary Glu-L technology for L-glufosinate ammonium from AgriMetis, an industry leader in the development of biotechnological innovations for crop protection. Through this acquisition, BASF Agricultural Solutions would provide its customers with an even more effective product to safeguard against unwanted weeds with an advanced formulation.

Dec-2019: Compass Minerals Plant Nutrition, a business unit of Compass Minerals, introduced Rocket Seeds Moly Shine, a unique seed finisher with the added benefit of micronutrients. The Moly Shine marked the most recent innovation to the Rocket Seeds product portfolio.

Apr-2019: Nutrien took over Ruralco Holdings Limited in Australia. Through this acquisition, the combination of Ruralcos business with Nutriens Landmark operations would offer significant advantages for all stakeholders and boost the delivery of products and services to Australian farmers. The combination would also offer Australian growers with advanced solutions offerings to allow them to better compete in global markets.

Mar-2018: Compass Minerals took over Produqumica, one of Brazils leading manufacturers and distributors of specialty plant nutrients. Through this acquisition, Compass Minerals would deliver on a key component of the growth strategy.

Scope of the Study

Market Segments covered in the Report:

By Form

Chelated

Non-Chelated

By Application

Soil

Foliar

Fertigation

Others

By Crop Type

Cereals & Grains

Pulses & Oilseeds

Fruits & Vegetables

Others

By Type

Copper

Zinc

Boron

Iron

Manganese

Molybdenum

Others

By Geography

North America

o US

o Canada

o Mexico

o Rest of North America

Europe

o Germany

o UK

o France

o Russia

o Spain

o Italy

o Rest of Europe

Asia Pacific

o China

o Japan

o India

o South Korea

o Singapore

o Malaysia

o Rest of Asia Pacific

LAMEA

o Brazil

o Argentina

o UAE

o Saudi Arabia

o South Africa

o Nigeria

o Rest of LAMEA

Companies Profiled

BASF SE

Compass Minerals International, Inc.

The Mosaic Company

Nutrien Limited

DuPont de Nemours, Inc.

Akzo Nobel N.V.

Aries Agro Limited

Yara International ASA

Baicor, LLC

Western Nutrients Corporation

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The Global Crop Micronutrients Market size is expected to reach $8.7 billion by 2028, rising at a market growth of 7.5% CAGR during the forecast...

BROOMFIELD, Colo., July 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- How would you like to live forever? Maybe you'd like to be stronger, faster, and more agile while on this journey of immortality. If so, plants might be able to help you get there! Here's some steps on how plants can help you reach your goals from Backyard Farming Supply.

Solutions where you might not expectWhile no, you obviously can't live forever, consuming certain organically grown foods may be able to help you live a healthier life and cut your chances of contracting serious illnesses, like cancer. With all these health benefits, it seems like getting some organic produce into your diet isn't just another craze it's a way to protect yourself against disease and illness. If you're worried about where to start, start with what's most available in your area. Apples are always abundant in fall, so they're an easy place to start adding more fruit into your diet. Eating plant-based dishes is also a great option that many people don't take advantage of but are happy when they do.

Longevity is better understood in insectsBy better understanding insect longevity, scientists hope to unlock insights into extending human life. For example, some genetic components have been discovered that extend lifespan by up to 50 percent in some species. Some research points to plants being responsible for extended life spans in insects such as fruit fliesbut whether similar plant compounds can slow aging in humans.

A plant-based diet extends lifeNew studies show that a plant-based diet can extend life by giving animals better heart health and even helping repair DNA. Specifically, there's evidence that animal-based fats (found in red meat) have a negative effect on our heart health and DNA when consumed in large quantities. In contrast, plant-based fats (found in nuts, seeds, avocados, and coconut oil) do not appear to damage our hearts or DNA. One study at Harvard University compared two groups of subjects, one with a vegan diet and one with an omnivorous diet. The study found that those who were vegan had lower blood pressure, cholesterol levels, body weight, and risk of diabetes than those who followed an omnivorous diet.

Additionally, a separate study found that following a plant-based lifestyle may also slow down the effects of aging in cellscausing them to function like they were much younger! Scientists believe this may be due to the plants' antioxidant qualities, which reduce cell damage over time. These results suggest we should rethink how we treat cardiovascular disease and diabetes as more people choose vegetarian diets over their carnivorous counterparts.

Come learn with the Backyard Farming family how to grow your own organic food! They can help you reduce costs and ensure you have access to the healthiest food for you and your family. If you are curious about organic fertilizers and learning which would be best for your garden, check out backyardfarmingsupply.com. Please follow us on Instagram and Facebook @backyardfarmingtips for helpful fun facts and tips.

SOURCE Backyard Farming Supply

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The Search for the Fountain of Youth: Can Plants Make You Live Forever? - PR Newswire

The history of fertilization, which humans have been using since the dawn of agriculture, has taken a new step forward thanks to Tebrio with the launch of the first fertilizer of entomological origin registered in Europe. "Adriana Casillas, CEO of Tebrio, and Sabas de Diego, CTO of the company, came up with the idea in 2012, motivated by their wish to provide the agri-food sector with a sustainable and quality solution and help the planet by addressing the growing demand for food and fertilizers in an environmentally-friendly way," says Miguel ngel lvarez.

Miguel ngel lvarez del Real.

The result of this initiative was :oFrass, a biofertilizer suitable for organic agriculture made 100% from Tenebrio molitor, and produced under an interesting circular production model with negative CO balance that maximizes the yield in the production of the insect in its different stages. "In order to feed the Tenebrio molitor we use by-products from the food industry, and the insects can be used at every stage. When the Tenebrio molitor is in the larval stage, we obtain fertilizer from its droppings. At the end of its larval stage, we obtain high-quality flour with a high protein content that we use for animal feed production, and from the adult beetle we obtain chitosan, a raw material of high value for industrial uses, including the manufacture of biofilms."

However, the versatility of this insect, commonly known as a mealworm, does not stop there. The European Commission itself has even endorsed its use in food by including it in the Union's list of novel foods since last year. "Also, the Tenebrio molitor does not produce any methane or greenhouse gases," says Miguel ngel, "which makes it very different from other agricultural products, and :oFrass guarantees the total absence of heavy metals, pathogens or seeds in the product."

:oFrass is marketed in powder form or pressed into pellets, two formats that facilitate its application, depending on the farmer's needs.

"oFrass improves the capacity of plants to absorb nutrients from the soil thanks to its low carbon-to-nitrogen ratio, and aids in the fixation of environmental nitrogen and the solubilization of phosphorus and potassium. It makes a great contribution of organic matter to the soil, as well as of essential macronutrients (NPK) and micronutrients. Also, given the product's microorganism content, it provides a high amount of superpotent and beneficial bacteria for plants."

"Moreover, it has biostimulant effects due to the production of plant phytohormones, which allows plants to better respond to abiotic stress factors, such as frost, salinity or extreme pH."

"It also has biofortifying properties. One of the keys is that each Tenebrio molitor dejection comes wrapped in a chitin sheath. This molecule activates the induced systemic resistance of plants; that is, it makes the plant activate different metabolic pathways to defend itself against pests and diseases, allowing us to space out pesticide applications and achieve a more resilient plant."

"With :oFrass we are focusing on horticultural crops, obtaining very good results. With woody crops we are also conducting successful tests, and we are currently introducing it in strawberry cultivation; in fact, we are going to start several trials with producing companies in Huelva."

o:Frass trial on melons: crop comparison with and without the Tebrio solution on April 25 (top left photo), after the first harvest (top right photo) and after the second harvest (bottom photo).

New production plant in SalamancaIn the ten years since coming up with the idea of this initiative, Tebrio has followed a successful path that will be completed in 2024 with the completion of the company's new industrial complex, with which it plans to multiply its production capacity.

"In 2016, we built the first insect plant approved for feed in the EU. Just one year later, in 2017, we were the first company in the world to obtain market approval for :oFrass. It is also important to note that we are registered as a fertilizer breeder plant."

"In 2020, the backing of investors Criteria Caixa and CDTI to Tebrio gave the firm a very strong boost and we are currently building our new facilities for the manufacture of insect products in Doinos de Salamanca, which will be fully completed in 2024. 70 million Euro have been invested and it will have 70,000 m devoted to the breeding of Tenebrio molitor, with a production capacity of 100,000 tons of insect products per year," says Miguel ngel lvarez.

Future new Tebrio facilities.

For more information:TebrioCtra. N-620 Km. 24437120 Doinos de SalamancaSalamanca, SpainTel.: +34 923 048 049miguelangel.alvarez@tebrio.comhttps://tebrio.com

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Europe's first registered 100% organic fertilizer produced by insects - FreshPlaza.com

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Associated British Foods plc., Celestial Seasonings Tata Global Beverages Limited, Harney & Sons Fine Teas, Hlssen & Lyon GmbH, Tata Tea Limited, R.Twining and Company Limited, Ceylon Organics Limited., Stash Tea Company, Republic of Tea.

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Organic Tea Market, By Type

Camelia Sinesis-based Herbal Tea

Organic Tea Market, By Form

Dried Leaf Powder Liquid

Organic Tea Market, By Distribution Channel

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Organic Tea Market Size, Scope and Forecast | Associated British Foods plc., Celestial Seasonings Tata Global Beverages Limited, Harney & Sons...