US Government Shutdown Forces FDA Food Inspections To Cease

In regards to food security, my advice is to look upon any produce as potential vectors of bad, bad things (unless you are growing said victuals yourself).

And, via Beth Mole, reporting from Ars Technica, comes news that will likely ratchet up the fear level regarding lack of food inspections (however, one bit of good news reported by Ms. Mole, is notification that the FDA is still scrutinizing the foreign food suplies coming into the country as well as recent vectors of contagion).

There may also be a higher level of safety in the fast food segment, due to their highly trained in-house employee food inspectors). Be well.

Food Security, Targeting End Product & Detection Tools For Consumers

via Rob Matheson. writing at MIT's MediaLab site, delivers' the goods, so to speak, in this outstanding post detailing new capabilities to detect, and avert the usage of, dangerous foodstuffs. The twist? The detection is accomplished by the end user (or diner, as the case may be...).

September - US National Preparedness Month →

Most assuredly, taking care of your family is the single most important task parents can accomplish during their lifetime. This includes those canines, felines and other animals we hold so dear, whom, by the way, are also family members. Don't forget them in your preparedness planning, they need clean water, good food and a safe place to sleep! Don't Wait. Communicate. Make a family emergency plan today. Learn more at Ready.gov.

Future of Food, Farmbot →

Simply astounding: The First CNC Farming Robot, FarmBot Genesis

It doesn't take a Nostradamus to envision profound implications to modern civilization, of which, a number of those implications will be evidenced with the application of CNC techniques to food production and in several (about-to-be-changed-forever) economic sectors: Impacted sectors will be Food Production, Labor (Farm and otherwise), Chemical Manufacturing, Durable Goods and Transport. Contemplate, for a moment, this superb machine, planting and watering, in excruciating robotic certitude, food for this family.

Food Security, Small Fruits →

In a fascinating article via CivilEats, and written by Steve Holt, comes speculation that smaller fruit, and the subsequent purchasing of that fruit by consumers may save small California growers burdened with water shortage and other travails. This equates to increased food availability, and perhaps enhanced food security, if, like me, you eat food... Today's Must Read.