Category Archives: values

What’s the Point of Urban Farming?

Posted on October 9, 2010 by Chris MacDonald

Some people’s enthusiasm for urban farming is downright infectious. See, for example, this article: Will Allen and The Urban Farming Revolution, by Ethan Zuckerman. Will Allen is redefining farming. His farm is a set of greenhouses in a corner of … Continue reading →

Posted in activism, agriculture, aquaculture, ecosystems, environment, farmers, kids, labour, values | 2 Comments

The Right to Know What I’m Eating

Posted on September 28, 2010 by Chris MacDonald

In the debate over the labelling (or non-labelling) of genetically-modified foods, one of the most common refrains is that consumers “have a right to know” what they’re eating. I’ve commented briefly on that here before. (See “Should Companies Label Genetically … Continue reading →

Posted in consumerism, GMO, labeling, restaurants, safety, values, vegetarianism | 35 Comments

Peter Singer & the Reasons for Protecting Animals

Posted on September 14, 2010 by Chris MacDonald

Here’s a recent piece by philosopher Peter Singer, in Forbes magazine: Animal Advocates Surpass NRA In Political Influence. …With wider public support, animal advocates gained serious political clout. By 2015 Humane USA eclipsed the National Rifle Association in the influence … Continue reading →

Posted in animal rights, animal welfare, ethics, meat, public policy, values, vegetarianism | 5 Comments

Battery Cages, Animal Welfare, and the Environment

Posted on August 19, 2010 by Chris MacDonald

Seemingly simple issues seldom are, especially when it comes to food ethics. Sometimes what seems like a simple question of needing to “change how we think” or to “stop corporate greed” or “get back in touch with our food” turns … Continue reading →

Posted in agriculture, animal welfare, environment, ethics, values | Comments Off on Battery Cages, Animal Welfare, and the Environment

Does it Matter if Consumers Understand Food Labels?

Posted on August 12, 2010 by Chris MacDonald

I recently expressed my doubts about the power of food labels to empower consumers across the full range of ethical issues related to food. But, at least implicitly, I accepted that nutrition labelling is the exception, the obviously-empowering form of … Continue reading →

Posted in activism, consumerism, labeling, nutrition, values | 3 Comments

Ethical Birthing for Calves & the Micromanagement of Farming

Posted on August 3, 2010 by Chris MacDonald

If you thought the only ethical issue about the treatment of calves was the way veal calves are raised, think again. Here’s the story, from TVNZ: Calf-killing practice sparks mixed debate. A Close Up poll of almost 10,000 people tonight … Continue reading →

Posted in agriculture, animal welfare, consumerism, ethics, farmers, values | 1 Comment

Authenticity Hoax Interview

Posted on July 21, 2010 by Chris MacDonald

Over at my Business Ethics Blog, I’ve just posted an interview with Andrew Potter, about his new book, The Authenticity Hoax. Readers of this blog might be interested in our exchange on the topic of food, which included this nice … Continue reading →

Posted in environment, industrial, local, values | Comments Off on Authenticity Hoax Interview