dropped out of the Cali Organic System because they dropped the GMO mandatory labeling requirements and made them voluntary, I figured it is all over. Big Ag got the Feds to water down the organic standards so they(Big Ag) could profit on organic labels, without meeting real(grassroots) standards. Typical. If we can't squeeze money out of it, it has to go.
peace

about infiltration. 100% in agreement.

Good diary, and it's an important one.

One big problem, along with the rent/housing problem--the assault on time.
Most people are running like crazy trying to keep their heads above water--no time to manage a garden.
I've often thought it might be a good thing for the unemployed to do, but sometimes when you're unemployed you're running just as hard trying to get a job as the workers are who have one--except you don't get paid.

Both these things encourage people to just go where they can buy the cheapest things, and make it through another day. Time becomes worth more than anything else.

Gotta go, but great diary.

think, in the attacks on sustainable agriculture that leaves the land more productive than when the farmers began.

Monsanto, and the corporations and politicians aligned with this corporation, want to wipe out farmers of small acreages and combine farms into 20,000+ acres to grow corn and soy which Big Ag provides with seeds, pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizer. This industrial agriculture turns the farm owner into an employee because he/she can only grow crops with Big Ag's inputs. This farming in more akin to mining in that it leaves the land impoverished, water fouled, and pollution rampant.

The growing of monoculture crops has an analog with producers of poultry and swine in that the producer is told what kind of buildings, animal feed, antibiotics, etc to use and when Big Ag wants to move on to some place more profitable, the producer is left with polluted land and useless buildings. I am as concerned with the inhumane treatment the animals endure.

I think the advice to buy locally from farmers in your area who plant a variety of crops and farm organically and non-GMO is worth heeding.

food supply business. Over fatted and sugared food is a health hazard but the profits count for more than the kids' health.

MD's used to say that they could look at a 6 year old and tell you whether the child had been fed a healthy diet or not - probably still can. Malnourishment impacts a person into adulthood.

It's a sad fact that Americans spend more money at restaurants than at supermarkets. And, we know what kind of food is available at fast food outlets and a diet based on fast food is not a healthy one.

but the autism may be draining so much of the caregiver's time and energy that he/she simply can't cook real food from scratch.

Or both.

It's hard to tell sometimes.

People can be helpful. We usually manage to live fairly good lives on almost nothing.

People who are monetarily challenged could benefit from a food Co op. Groups that get together and buy in bulk at wholesale prices. For instance I just picked up 50 pounds of local organic pasture raised pork for my kids at $1.35 a pound the reason for the good price is my Co op bought just slightly over a ton. So fresh the pig was still alive when we put our funds down to pay for it. I buy local almost everything because we are seeking out suppliers buying in quantities large enough to get pretty good wholesale prices. We pay 8% of our order total to Co op fees to cover expenses. It is run by two retired ladies who get a good discount on their food and a small salary to enhance their retirement.
This form of community can also include a ready made market for small business to get started. Every penny of my son's psychology degree came from his share of the produce sold from our farm to a large store front Co op in Olympia, WA. Our Co op has a baker, a tamale and tortilla maker, an egg roll maker and much more. These are not full time operations but they do provide extra income. I am currently smoking 650 pounds of fish that I aquired fresh from the boat. Every bit save the 20 pounds I will eat over the next year is already sold. That with the 3 runs of tuna I did and the sausage I will do after the beef cattle we ordered are butchered will pay my property taxes on my farm.
I think the idea is to be as self sufficent as possible. In many cities it may be possible for people to do this on a neighborhood scale have a community garden, to develop a Co op, to create a Permaculture park or any number of other things. Anything is possible.

Actual employment and business opportunities arise out of this. Jobs are created. There are neighborhoods in Boston and Wisconsin that have started community development Co ops people buy shares the money is invested in vacant or run down commercial buildings that are then revitalized and rented to small businesses.

http://www.foodnotlawns.com/ lots of good info and even for those who don't have lawns.

We need to start growing our own food. Some is easy, some isn't. But when we look around, we find others are also searching. Then we start community gardens. We eat together.

in as much detail as would be optimal. Please see http://www.ontheissues.org/2016/Jill_Stein_Welfare_+_Poverty.htm

Housing is a human right. From the link:

We will expand rental and home ownership assistance, create ample public housing, and capital grants to non-profit developers of affordable housing until all people can obtain decent housing at no more than 25% of their income.

bought this spring, along with cilantro, parsley, beefeater tomato, all for $10.00 at Home Depot. All are organic. Replanted these in bigger pots with organic soil mixed with humus and sand. No fertilizer used. Had fresh herbs all summer, about eight gallons of yellow pear tomatoes (even my dog loves them) from that one plant. The beefeater tomatoes were mislabeled and yielded crap tomatoes, which were invaded by some kind of pest and are wormy. Of course, I have about .60 of an acre and a sunny spot, so growing these was easy. But, even living in a city or rural apartment, if there's a sunny window, access to a rooftop, or just a grow light, you can grow microgreens and herbs, which are full of first-class nutrients. I've even seen websites with instructions on how to regrow certain leftover produce, like potatoes, celery, carrots, onions. If you live near an Aldi store, great food bargains can be had, and they are going increasingly organic. But if you don't have access to a car, the initial setup can be difficult, but not impossible. And lastly, you need some upfront cash to invest in soil, lighting, pots and seeds.